Superbook

Lesson:

Wait on the Lord. His timing is always perfect.

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Lazarus

    Discover More
    

    Lazarus

    

    Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. He was Jesus’ dear friend. Lazarus became very sick and died. When Jesus arrived in town, Lazarus had already been dead four days. Jesus told the people to roll the stone aside from entrance of Lazarus’ tomb. Jesus shouted for Lazarus to come out. Lazarus came out; He was alive again! Lazarus was living proof that Jesus is the resurrection and the life! The Jewish leaders plotted to kill Lazarus and Jesus. Many people believed in Jesus because He raised Lazarus from the dead!

    • Bible References

      • John 11:44
      • Mark 10:38
      • John 11:1
      • John 12:9
      • John 12:1
      • John 11:25
      • John 11:45
      • John 11:17

  • Caiaphas

    Discover More
    

    Caiaphas

    

    Caiaphas was a Jewish high priest during the time of Jesus' public ministry. Caiaphas was fearful of Jesus' sudden rise of popularity after Lazarus was raised from the dead. He quickly met with the others Jesus leaders and advocated for Jesus to be arrested and put to death.

    • Bible References

      • John 11:49
      • John 3:1-21
      • Acts 5:37
      • Acts 23:8
      • Matthew 22:23
      • John 11:25
      • John 11:49-53
      • John 11:57
      • John 18:28-40

  • Martha

    Discover More
    

    Martha

    

    Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus. Jesus loved them and often visited. Martha was all about serving others and making them feel at home. As Martha prepared a big meal for Jesus and His disciples, Mary sat at Jesus' feet. This upset Martha. She asked Jesus to send Mary to help! Instead, Jesus told Martha that Mary had made the right choice. Martha and Mary sent a message to Jesus when Lazarus was sick. When Jesus arrived, Lazarus was dead. Martha told Jesus that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Martha teaches us that we can never be too busy to spend time with Jesus.

    • Bible References

      • Luke 10:38
      • Luke 10:38-42
      • John 11:5
      • John 12:1-2
      • 1 Peter 4:9-10
      • John 11:1-44

  • Peter

    Discover More
    

    Peter

    

    Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Peter was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus called Peter to follow Him, Peter's life took a completely different direction. He became a “fisher-of-men." Peter was the disciple who climbed out of the boat to walk to Jesus, and he was also the first disciple to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Peter later became the leader of the emerging church.

    • Bible References

      • Matthew 16:18
      • Matthew 16:17
      • John 1:42
      • Mark 1:21
      • John 1:44
      • Matthew 16:17-19
      • Mark 1:29-31
      • Matthew 8:14-15
      • 1 Corinthians 9:5
      • Luke 5:10
      • Matthew 4:18-20
      • Mark 3:14-16
      • Mark 1:36
      • Luke 22:32
      • Matthew 14:28
      • Matthew 18:21
      • Matthew 16:13-17
      • John 18:10
      • Luke 22:31-34
      • John 21
      • Acts 2:14-41
      • Acts 3:12-26
      • Acts 3:1-11
      • Acts 5:12-16
      • Acts 12:6-19
      • Acts 10
      • Acts 15
      • Galatians 2
      • 1 Peter 1
      • 2 Peter 1

  • John (Young)

    Discover More
    

    John (Young)

    

    Before Jesus called him to be a disciple, he was a fisherman (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20). John’s relationship with Jesus was so close that he was called “the disciple Jesus loved.” John wrote the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation.

    • Bible References

      • John 13:34-35
      • Matthew 4:18-22
      • Mark 1:16-20
      • Mark 5:37
      • Luke 9:28-29
      • Mark 3:17
      • John 19:26-27
      • John 20:31
      • Revelation 1:9-11

  • Judas Iscariot

    Discover More
    

    Judas Iscariot

    

    Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. He was the appointed treasurer for the disciples, but he did not understand that Jesus’ kingdom was a heavenly one and not an earthly one. He became disillusioned and dishonest. After the Passover supper, Judas betrayed Jesus. Because of the guilt he felt from this act, he killed himself (instead of asking Jesus to forgive him).

    • Bible References

      • Luke 22:3-4
      • John 6:71
      • Luke 6:16
      • John 12:6
      • John 13:29
      • Matthew 26:14-16
      • Matthew 27:3-10
      • Acts 1:26

  • Mary (Martha's Sister)

    Discover More
    

    Mary (Martha's Sister)

    

    Mary was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. When Jesus visited their home, Mary sat at Jesus' feet instead of helping Martha prepare the meal. Martha was angry but Jesus said that Mary had made the right choice! Mary believed that Lazarus would not have died if Jesus had been there. Mary's sorrow was replaced with joy when Jesus called Lazarus to walk out of his tomb! Mary would soon anoint Jesus' feet with expensive perfume to prepare Jesus' for His own burial and resurrection!

    • Bible References

      • Mark 10:42
      • Luke 10:38-42
      • John 11:1-30
      • John 12:1-7

  • Thomas

    Discover More
    

    Thomas

    

    Soon after Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to the disciples. One of the disciples, Thomas, was not present and refused to believe that Jesus had appeared to the eleven other apostles, until he could see and feel the wounds received by Jesus on the cross.

    • Bible References

      • John 20:25
      • John 20:24
      • John 20:25
      • John 20:26
      • John 20:27
      • John 20:28
      • John 20:29

• Adventure Guide

  • 

    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

  • 

    Lazarus - Family Discussion Guide

• Q & A

  • Will God answer my prayer right away?

    Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus saying that their brother Lazarus was very sick. Lazarus was Jesus’ dear friend. Jesus immediately stopped what He was doing to rush to his friends that He loved, right? No, Jesus chose to wait two more days before going to see them. Why would Jesus wait? John 11:4 says, “But when Jesus heard about it He said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.”
    
    There was a greater purpose to Lazarus’ sickness, one that would bring glory to Jesus and God. Jesus knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead; it didn’t matter how many days had passed! Many people would believe in Jesus because of it! Jesus also knew that by waiting, even His own disciples’ faith would be strengthened. (John 11:1-6, 14-15; 12:9-11). When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus told Martha that her brother would live again, and that is exactly what happened! Jesus told the people to roll the stone away from Lazarus’ tomb. He then called for Lazarus to come out. He walked out of the tomb; Lazarus was alive!
    
    The people had thought Jesus was too late. He wasn’t late - His timing was perfect! God’s timing is not always the same as ours. He accomplished more things by not rushing to heal Lazarus when he was sick. It isn’t easy to wait on the Lord; we want an answer - now! When we do trust and patiently wait on Him, we have a promise in Isaiah 40:31: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
    
    God knows exactly what is going on at all times in our lives. Jesus wasn’t surprised by Lazarus’ sickness and death. He knew even before He received the message from Mary and Martha. He already had a plan for God’s greater glory and would not hurried by others. Don’t panic when it seems God is moving too slow or not according to your schedule! “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day (2 Peter 3:8). God does not look at time like we do. Yes, wait on the Lord, trust in His timing and greater purpose; His timing is always perfect!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Isaiah 40:31

  • How important is listening to Jesus?

    Martha was busy; very busy! Jesus and His disciples were visiting at her house. She was hard at work preparing a big dinner for them. After all, what could be more important than serving Jesus? Jesus was important to Mary too. But, instead of serving Jesus, she placed more importance on sitting at Jesus’ feet to listen to Him teach.
    
    Martha was not happy and thought that Mary needed to get her priorities in order. In fact, Martha was so upset that she asked Jesus to tell Mary to get up and help her! Jesus had to agree that it was unfair for Mary to let Martha do all the work, right? Instead, Jesus told Mary to not be so worried about the meal. He said there was only one thing to be concerned about and Mary had made the right choice – spending time listening to His words! That wasn’t what Martha expected to hear! Mary hadn’t made the wrong choice; Martha had! (Mark 10:38-42). Yes, we are to serve. Jesus set the example to serve one another and to serve God.
    
    Yet, Jesus also placed a priority on getting away from the crowds of people and spending time with God. In these times, He could speak and listen to His Father. He could be strengthened to do God’s will. Service and busyness never replace personal time with God. The things of this world will not last, but the Word that God places in our heart can never be taken away from us! Sometimes busyness, even with good things, can interfere with our relationship with Jesus. It is important to keep balance in our lives between serving and sitting in God's presence. We must listen to the Holy Spirit inside us. If He is leading us to rest, pray, listen, or read God’s Word – we need to make the right choice as Mary did. “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42). Jesus’ Words apply to us today – when Jesus speaks, we need to stop and listen!
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Luke 10:42

  • How does Jesus give me life here and forever?

    Jesus talked with Martha about the resurrection of the dead. She believed in an end time resurrection, like many others did, including the Jewish leaders. However, she did not grasp that Jesus was not talking about the last days; He was talking about the present. Lazarus would rise again and live on the earth again! (John 11:23-27; Acts 23:8). “The Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son.” (John 5:26). Because Jesus has life in Himself, He has the power, desire, and authority to give a rich and satisfying life to all who believe in Him.
    
    This life is available to us now and Him in heaven. Because Jesus rose from the dead, He conquered sin and death and became the resurrection for us all! Death has no power over us! (John 3:16; John 10:10). Everything we need in this life and the future exists in Him! Psalm 39:7 says, "And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • John 10:10

  • How much faith do I need?

    Jesus arrived in Bethany and Martha ran to meet Him. “Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:21). Martha didn’t understand why it took Jesus so long to arrive in Bethany. Even so, she expressed her faith that Jesus could have healed Lazarus before He died. Martha also revealed that she believed Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, Who was sent to earth by God. Mary, Martha’s sister, voiced the same faith in Jesus’ healing ability.
    
    “When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32). Both women believed Jesus could heal but not that He could raise Lazarus from the dead. Martha protested when Jesus told the people to roll aside the stone from Lazarus’ tomb. Surely Lazarus body had begun to decompose and stink; certainly it was too late! Martha and Mary’s faith was about to grow! Imagine their amazement and joy seeing Lazarus walk out of His tomb! (John 11:17-44).
    
    Yes, Jesus heals the living and gives life to the dead! Just like with Mary and Martha, Jesus honors the faith that we have. One time in the Bible, Jesus' disciples were unable to cast a demon out of a boy that was brought to them by his father. The disciples could not do it and asked Jesus why they were not successful. "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." As we read and discover more about Jesus, our small faith will grow larger. We will begin to trust God for greater and greater things. In time we will believe that nothing is impossible with God! Colossians 2:7 says, “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you
    

    • John 11:21

  • Why did Jesus weep?

    Jesus was both God and man. Jesus said that He and His Father were one – He was with God from the beginning of time. Jesus then came to earth as God’s Son. As a man, Jesus was made in every respect like us so He could be our merciful High Priest. Jesus experienced the same struggles and temptation as we do yet He never sinned. (John 8:58; John 1:14; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:17-18).
    
    As a man, Jesus didn't just see the pain and the sorrow of Martha and Mary, He felt it too! Jesus was deeply touched and troubled by everything that was happening. He wept at the loss of His dear friend. "Wept" in this verse means to burst into tears! (John 11:30-35). When we feel grief, sorrow, or pain, Jesus has experienced it. He comes to comfort us and give us peace. Paul wrote a letter to the church at Corinth. He talked about the comfort God brings through Christ. “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
    
    He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:2-4). Jesus comforts us so we might then comfort others. Let us always look for opportunities to share God’s love, mercy, and peace with others at all times. “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15).
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • Romans 12:15