Morning and Evening: Saturday, April 4

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 137

(This is the final day before Holy Week begins.   This is the week this entire series has been leading up to.  This is the week that all of history has been leading up to.  Are you ready to walk the final steps with Christ to the cross this week?)

Questions:

1. Where did the Psalmist find him or herself?  Why did they not feel like singing?
2. Read verses 4-6.  Why is it so hard to remember how to sing when times are hard?  Why is it important we not forget?
3. This Psalm ends with some pretty surprising words.  It hardly seems like an appropriate prayer.  It’s important for us to remember the words of Ephesians 6:12 as we think about this.  What are the offspring of our real enemy that need to be overcome?

Prayer Focus: Pray that in the upcoming week of introspection and mourning that God would help you to remember your song.

Evening Study:

Evening: John 11:1-37

Questions:

1. What word did Lazarus’ sisters send to Jesus?  Why do you think they phrased it the way they did?
2. Given the way Jesus responds in verse 6, why do you think John is careful to clarify Jesus’ feelings the way he does in verse 5?  Why do we seem to think God doesn’t love us any more when he doesn’t answer our prayers as soon as we call?
3. What promise does Jesus make in verse 25 and 26?  How is that good news for you?
4. In verses 33 through 35, how does Jesus respond to the mourning of his friends?  How does knowing that encourage you?

Prayer focus: Pray that God would truly help us to believe the promises he has made.