Opening Prayer – Fifth Sunday of Lent
Creator God; You breathe life into us.
Savior Jesus; You died so our life can be eternal.
Holy Spirit; You fill us each day with new life.
May Your holy Word penetrate our souls today,
and give us new life in YOU!

Journal/Reflection Questions
Ezekiel 37:12-14
• God promises the Israelites He will bring them out of darkness, when has God fulfilled this promise to you?
• Where is the Holy Spirit working in your life? Do you see it daily or just occasionally?

Romans 8:8-11
• Saint Paul urges us to be guided by the Spirit rather than the flesh. It is easier said than done. What practices can you put into practice in your life to help you be directed by the Holy Spirit more often?
• Is there a temptation of the flesh of which you struggle? Write a prayer to pray when you are faced with the temptation.

John 11:1-45
• When was the last time you saw the glory of God? Where was it? Who was with you? What did it look like? How do you know it was God’s glory?
• Does knowing God has already died and risen so you might have eternal life affect how you live?

General Questions for Journaling
• The phrase, “Jesus wept” occurs only twice in the Bible. Do you think these were the only times Jesus cried? What do you believe brought Jesus to tears? What do you believe brings Jesus to tears today?
• Have you experienced a time when death brought new life? Consider the seasons of winter and spring…use the symbolism of how the dead, frozen winter brings new growth to the spring.
• This story of Lazarus coming from his tomb is symbolic of how each of us will be called “back to life” after our earthly death. Imagine how you will feel when you are called to come out by Jesus. What do you imagine feeling? What might you say?
• Do you relate to Martha and Mary in this story? How do you imagine they were feeling? Have you ever shared similar feelings? What was the situation? How did it turn out? Have you forgiven the person whom you harbored negative thoughts or feelings towards?
• Death is a part of life, so why is it so difficult for us to accept? What can we take from the readings this week to help us deal and cope with the death we deal with in our lives?
• Spend some time reflecting on how the story of Lazarus can teach us about waiting for God’s timing.

Closing Prayer
Leader: Lord, you have the power to free us…
ALL: Set us free of all that bind us!
Leader: Lord, you have the power to forgive us…
ALL: Set us free of the sin that weighs us down!
Leader: Lord, you have the power to heal us…
ALL: Set us free from the pain of death!

Challenge for the Week: Scripture tells us, Lazarus was Jesus’ best friend. Throughout our lives, we have friends come in and out of our lives. Take some time this week to think about the friendships you have and have had over the years. Are there friendships we’d like to “resurrect”? Do we have friendships which require some healing? Do we have friends who lead us into temptation and away from God? Identify the friends who fill you with the Holy Spirit and help lead you to live in God’s glory. Make a point to connect with these friends on a more regular basis.