SM Lesson Sample: Where is Jesus When Bad Things Happen?

YEAR 2 Unit Four: “Jesus Loves Individuals” Lesson One Where is Jesus When Bad Things Happen? BIG IDEA: God sees the big picture; we CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES: don’t. So we can trust Him with “Understand the relationship of prayer to one’s growth in Christ”[M.K.9]. the tough stuff of life. \"Make application of Scripture to daily life\" [M.S.6]; INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY INTRODUCING TODAY’S KEY VERSE (TO MEMORIZE): Activity: 1 Corinthians 13:12 — \"Now we see things imperfectly as 1. Invite two volunteers up for a challenge: “Be the in a cloudy mirror [at best, life can seem foggy. Nothing in life first to assemble the puzzle under the cloth in front is perfectly “clear” to us], but then [this is a promise to Chris- of you. The winner will get a prize.” tians referring to that time when they will arrive in Heaven] we 2. Have the rest of the kids count down from 10. will see everything with perfect clarity [the Christian will see At zero, remove the coverings to reveal that one the Big Picture that God sees]. All that I know now is partial puzzle is a toddler puzzle (with 5 or so pieces) and and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, the other is a complicated puzzle (with 500 or just as God now knows me completely.” 1,000 pieces). 3. After a moment or two, the volunteer with the GROUP ACTIVITY: DISCOVERING TRUTH TOGETHER simple puzzle will be declared the winner and will receive the prize. (Be sure to have a consolation “We are following Jesus’s journeys in the gospel of prize for the other volunteer!) John. He wants people to know that He really is the Transition: “Today, we’re going to learn what God Son of God, but He does something in John 11 that says we should do when we’re puzzled with life’s doesn’t seem to help His cause. In fact, everyone in circumstances. You are all at a difficult phase of life. the story finds His actions puzzling! This story is You can probably remember a time when your about some sisters who have a sick brother, named most difficult challenges were like this simple puz- Lazarus. He is extremely near to death. Out of des- zle — what toys to play with, what book to read peration, the sisters call for Jesus to help.” before bed, what gift to buy for your friend’s birth- “I’m going to divide you into four groups. Each day party. But as you’ve been getting older, life group will consider this story from the viewpoint of seems to be getting more complicated. Your life a different character from the story. From their looks more like this puzzle now.” [Invite the stu- unique perspective, what might they have seen as dents to suggest “pieces” that complicate life]. “missing pieces”? What didn’t make sense to them? The four groups are Mary, Martha, Disciples, and “There are definitely more pieces to your life now. Other Jews (there to support the family).” What’s worse is that it seems as though many pieces of your puzzle are missing. You have unan- FOLLOW UP/DISCUSSION: swered questions, struggles in your personal or family life, or problems with friends. Your life kind THE MISSING PIECES (Some suggested responses of looks like this [hold up a board with puzzle pieces based on the text of Scripture): glued haphazardly to it and with a lot of gaps].” Mary: “I don’t get it... Reminders - Why didn’t He come right away? - I even served Him (anointed His feet). Doesn’t He remember? - If He had been here, my brother would not have died. - Jesus loved Lazarus! Why didn’t He come to help him?

Unit One: “Says Who?” Lesson Two Martha: I don’t get it... b) Mary, Martha & His Disciples: Jesus was going to - If He had been here, my brother would not have bolster their faith (v. 14) died. c) The others in attendance (Jews): Jesus knew that - Jesus loved Lazarus! Why didn’t He come to help raising Lazarus from the dead would have more of an him? impact on those watching than if He merely healed Lazarus of his sickness. Look at the results: Disciples: I don’t get it... “Many...who...had seen the things Jesus did, believed - The last time Jesus went to the area where Lazarus in Him” (v.45). lived, the people tried to kill Him! d) You! How are you part of this story? It was at this - Lazarus is just sleeping. Jesus doesn’t need to risk event that Jesus revealed Himself as the Resurrection His life just to get Lazarus out of bed! and the Life. Listen to His famous words which have, over these past two thousand years, changed countless The Other Jews: I don’t get it... lives. And they can change yours too! Jesus said, “I am “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, blind, also have kept this man from dying?” though he may die, he shall live” (Jn 11:25). Have you come in faith to Jesus, believing His claim to DISCUSS: If you were one of Lazarus’s relatives, what be God’s Son — the only One who can give you eternal might you be tempted to think in this situation? life, the only One who can bring you safely into Heaven after your life on earth is over? Have you repented of - Jesus waited two days after He found out and only your sins and placed your trust in His payment for your started back AFTER Lazarus was dead. Why? sin (Acts 20:21)? Yes, at this tomb, Jesus actually was - Doesn’t He care about us? thinking of you too! - Are others more important to Him than we are? - [If suitable, perhaps some might be willing to share experiences in their own lives when they wondered where God was.] JESUS PROVIDES THE MISSING “PEACE” MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE TOMB... All of these pieces came together to finally present the As we read the rest of the story, we discover that Jesus whole picture. What is that picture? Read John 11:4, provides at least three more pieces (far more important 40-44. Jesus showed the people that He was God’s Son. pieces) to complete this puzzling situation: Because of this, He can be trusted in every situation. 1. JESUS KNOWS. Jesus is fully God and is all-knowing. He didn’t need the messenger’s report. He knew the “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for- precise time of Lazarus’s death. He also knows the de- ever” (Heb 13:8). tails of your life. He even has the hairs of your head numbered (Mt 10:30). He knows the things that trouble “God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be your heart. mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we 2. JESUS CARES. Jesus is also fully Man and is sympa- must trust His heart.” — Spurgeon thetic. “Jesus wept.” This is the only time wept (in Grk) appears in the NT. Jesus shed real tears! In fact, the RECOMMENDED: Bible says that God attends the funeral of every bird! Here are few great poems that capture the truth “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of of this week’s lesson. Share them with the them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. students or encourage them to look the poems So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many spar- up on their own: rows” (Mt 10:29,31). 3. JESUS HAS A PLAN. Jesus is the God-Man, and He “Footprints” had a plan for — “Life is but a Weaving” a) Lazarus: The Lord’s plan was bigger and better than the plan the sisters had. They wanted a sick Lazarus (the Tapestry Poem) kept alive. Jesus wanted to give Lazarus a brand new life! “Broken Dreams” — TODAY’S TAKEAWAY — Sometimes life doesn’t make sense because we’re missing important pieces to life’s puzzle. But we can rest confidently in these three facts: Whatever your situation is, Jesus KNOWS, Jesus CARES, and Jesus HAS A PLAN. But you must be His child to receive the fullness of what He has for you.

Mary Martha the Disciples The Other Jews) 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of MARy and her of Bethany, the town of Mary and her of Bethany, the town of Mary and her of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 it was that MARy sister MARtHA. 2 it was that Mary sister Martha. sister Martha. who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose and wiped His feet with her hair, whose 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, 17 So when Jesus came, He found that brother Lazarus was sick. 3 therefore brother Lazarus was sick. 3 therefore He stayed two more days in the place he had already been in the tomb four the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, be- the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, be- where He was. 7 then after this He said days. 18 Now Bethany was near hold, he whom you love is sick.” hold, he whom you love is sick.” to the diSCipLeS, “Let us go to Judea Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 again.” And MANy of tHe JewS HAd 4 when Jesus heard that, He said, “this 4 when Jesus heard that, He said, “this JoiNed the women around Martha sickness is not unto death, but for the sickness is not unto death, but for the 8 the diSCipLeS said to Him, “Rabbi, and Mary, to comfort them concerning glory of God, that the Son of God may glory of God, that the Son of God may lately the Jews sought to stone you, and their brother. be glorified through it.” be glorified through it.” are you going there again?” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and HeR 5 Now Jesus loved MARtHA and her [Others had tried to kill Jesus the last 33 therefore, when Jesus saw her weep- SiSteR and Lazarus. 6 So, when He sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard time He was there. See 8:59 and 10:31.] ing, and tHe JewS who came with heard that he was sick, He stayed two that he was sick, He stayed two more [Mary] weeping, He groaned in the more days in the place where He was. days in the place where He was. 11 these things He said, and after that spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, He said to them, “our friend Lazarus “where have you laid him?” 32 then, when MARy came where 20 then MARtHA, as soon as she sleeps, but i go that i may wake him up.” Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down heard that Jesus was coming, went and 12 then His diSCipLeS said, “Lord, if they said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if you met Him, but Mary was sitting in the he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, had been here, my brother would not house. 21 Now MARtHA said to Jesus spoke of his death, but they 35 Jesus wept. 36 then tHe JewS said, have died.” Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my thought that He was speaking about tak- “See how He loved him!” brother would not have died.” ing rest in sleep. 33 therefore, when Jesus saw HeR 37 And some of tHeM said, “Could not weeping, and the Jews who came with 14 then Jesus said to them plainly, this Man, who opened the eyes of the her weeping, He groaned in the spirit... “Lazarus is dead. 15 And i am glad for blind, also have kept this man from your sakes that i was not there, that you dying?” may believe. Nevertheless let us go to THE MISSING PIECES him.” 16 then thomas, who is called the twin, said to his fellow diSCipLeS, Consider the perspective of your assigned person(s) in this event (John 11). “Let us also go, that we may die with What might these individuals be confused about? Him.” “I don’t get it...” jesus provides the ‘peace’ Three facts about Jesus that “completed the picture” were: