Table Talk | April 5
Growth Group Guide: "I Am the Resurrection and the Life"
Based on John 11 - Easter Weekend
OPENING PRAYER & Ice Breaker
- What Easter traditions or memories are most meaningful to you? How has your understanding of Easter changed over the years?
key Scripture
John 11:25-26 "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?'"
main TAKEAWAYS from the sermon
Jesus is never early and never late, but always on time to do what He purposes to do.
You don't need to settle for wishful thinking about the afterlife when God is standing right in front of you.
Jesus doesn't just have the power to raise the dead—He IS the power to raise the dead.
Jesus is not absent or distant—He is present and deeply empathetic to our pain.
There is no middle ground with Jesus—He is either a dead religious teacher or the living God-man who conquered death.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Understanding the Text
Read John 11:1-44 together. What stands out to you most in this story? What details seem surprising or unusual?
Why do you think Jesus intentionally waited two days before going to see Lazarus, even though He loved him and his sisters?
What is the significance of Jesus saying "I AM the resurrection and the life" rather than "I have the power to resurrect"?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
"If you had been here..." Have you ever felt like Martha and Mary—believing God could have intervened but chose not to? Share about a time when God's timing didn't match your expectations.
Pastor Todd emphasized that Jesus is "never early, never late, but always on time." How does this truth challenge or comfort you in your current circumstances?
Martha had good theology (she knew about the resurrection at the last day), but Jesus called her to believe in Him personally. What's the difference between believing about Jesus and believing in Jesus?
Going Deeper
Jesus wept at Lazarus's tomb even though He knew He was about to raise him from the dead. What does this reveal about God's character and how He relates to our suffering?
Pastor Todd stated: "If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that He said. If He didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what He said?" How would you respond to someone who wants to accept Jesus as a good teacher but not as God?
John wrote his gospel "that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31). How has believing in Jesus given you life—not just eternal life, but abundant life now?
practical application
This Week's Challenge:
Choose one of the following to practice this week:
Identify your "if only" - What situation are you facing where you're saying "if only God had shown up differently"? Write it down and surrender it to God, acknowledging His perfect timing.
Put your theology into action - Like Martha, identify an area where you have good beliefs about God but struggle to trust Him personally. Take one practical step of faith this week.
Share the hope of resurrection - Have a conversation with someone about what the resurrection of Jesus means to you personally and why it gives you hope.
Practice presence - Jesus wept with those who were hurting. Reach out to someone going through difficulty and simply be present with them in their pain.
Accountability Questions:
- What is one enemy or obstacle you're facing that you need to remember Jesus has power to defeat?
- Who in your life needs to hear about the resurrection hope you have in Jesus?
Closing Reflection
Read together: Romans 4:25 "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Final Questions:
- How does your answer to Jesus's question—"Do you believe this?"—shape how you'll live this week?
- What is one specific thing God spoke to you through this sermon and discussion?
Prayer time
Pray together:
- For those facing "if you had been here" moments—that they would trust God's timing
- For deeper belief and faith in Jesus as the resurrection and the life
- For opportunities to share the hope of the resurrection with others
- For anyone in the group who may be considering putting their faith in Jesus for the first time