I AM: Part 3 - I AM the Resurrection and the Life

Part three of the “I AM” series discusses Jesus’ role as the resurrection and the life. Pastor Jake described the interaction between Martha and Jesus shortly after Lazarus died as well as the words that John sent to the church at Smyrna, and the life altering truth that comes from having a Savior that is the Resurrection and the Life. Life Group Questions: Read the key verses in John 11:25-26, Revelation 2:8-11, and Acts 4:32-35 (you may also want to recap the back story found in John 10, 11 and 12) Then discuss as a group the following questions . . . 1. Why had Jesus left the area around Jerusalem (John 10), and why had he returned in John 11:25-26? a. Who was he talking to in this verse? b. Why could these words seem insensitive or cold when he said them c. What did Jesus do to prove what He was saying was true? 2. What did Jesus mean when He said He was the resurrection? Why did He ask Martha “Do you believe this?” a. Can you think of a time in your life when you had a hard time believing that He is the resurrection and the life? b. What about when our prayers aren’t answered in the way we want them to be? Does it mean that this part of Him is no longer true? 3. Why is it important that Jesus died? How does it impact the way He relates to us? 4. What is unique about the letter to the church at Smyrna? 5. What does Jesus know about their current condition? What does He know about their eternal condition? a. How does this impact and encourage them as they suffer persecution? b. How does that same truth affect us when we are suffering tribulation? 6. What is significant about the name of the church at Smyrna? 7. What is the reason we gather as a church (Acts 4:33)? How does that impact our daily lives now? Why is it important to share this truth with those around us?