THINK: Are you a patient person? If not, you’re probably well aware of the fact that God’s timing seldom fits our preferred schedules. Yet, if you try to get ahead of God—or if you give up too soon and aren’t ready to respond at all—you could forfeit a valuable lesson and miss what God has in store for you. Remember, God’s most extraordinary works will never happen the way you expect. They’ll go far beyond your plans, expectations and imagination.

RESPOND: Why is an apparent tragedy or terminal illness not a hopeless situation for a person who knows
Jesus? (See 11:4 note.) In what ways can Jesus be honored through tragic situations? Why do people who are deeply devoted to God still suffer deeply at times? (See 11:5 note.) Why did Jesus not leave for Bethany as soon as He received the message about Lazarus? (See 11:6 note.) What do you tend to do in situations when it seems that God is silent or unresponsive? Why? What do you think God expects of you and wants you to do in times like this? What do you think He might be trying to teach you?

PRAY: Thank Jesus for His love and friendship. Thank Him for doing things in His time—the right time—and
ask Him to help you trust Him, regardless of the circumstances. Pray for someone who has recently faced a
tragedy. Ask God to do something through this situation to honor himself and bring people closer to Him.

ACT: Are you currently facing a situation in which you feel that God is silent or unresponsive. Perhaps you’re
becoming impatient with God’s timing. Exercise your faith and demonstrate dependence on God by entrusting
the situation to Him once again. But this time, don’t simply pray for an answer. Instead, ask God to do things
in His time and way. Ask Him to honor himself and to help you grow closer to Him as you wait for His answer.
Then consider what God might be preparing to do in this situation. Also, check up on the person you just
prayed for who has faced a tragedy. Be sensitive not to open emotional wounds, but simply see how they’re
doing and let them know that you are thinking and praying for them.

THINK: Who are you listening to? There are a lot of voices in the world vying for your attention, bombarding you with a myriad of messages aimed at influencing you in one way or another. Some are worthwhile; many are not. Some you choose to listen to, and some you can’t seem to ignore. It can be difficult to hear what’s really important through all of the noise. As you sift through the chatter, consider whether what you hear builds you up, benefits you spiritually and brings you or anyone else closer to God. Above all, does it help you to discern God’s voice, or does it distract you from hearing Him. Perhaps it’s time to tune out some noise so you can tune in to God.

RESPOND: What does Jesus mean in saying, “My sheep listen to my voice”? (See 10:27 note.) How do
people truly “hear” and listen to Jesus? What do the words “listen” and “follow” imply (v. 27)? What comfort
and encouragement can you take from verses 28-29? (See 10:28 note.) In reality, what is the only thing
that can remove you from the life and purpose God intends for you? What was the people’s main issue and
accusation against Jesus (cf. vv 30-33, 36)? What do Jesus’ claims in this passage mean to you personally?
What does it mean that the Law referred to people as “gods”? (See 10:34 note.) In what way does this relate to how people should view Jesus and how they should (or should not) view themselves?

PRAY: Ask Jesus to help you always listen and discern His voice and to follow His lead. Thank Him for giving you eternal life and for the fact that no one and nothing—outside of your own choice—can take you away from Him.

ACT: Once again, as you may have practiced a few days ago, go through the day making a conscious effort to listen for God’s direction in all you do. (Listening to God’s side of the communication is a vital prayer discipline.) This does not mean that you have to stop for a length of time before every decision. But make choices and do things based on a desire to honor God and reflect His character. Remember, don’t just aim to hear but also to follow God’s direction, obeying what you sense He’s saying to you.

THINK: People often knock Christians by referring to them as a bunch of blind followers. But in reality, everyone is following or pursuing something—or someone. In a spiritual, but very real sense, people are either following God and His truth, or they’re falling for a lie from the devil. Most voices that people listen to are spreading the lie and leading them blindly down a path toward destruction and death. They’re being robbed of real life and don’t even know it. Wouldn’t you rather endure the insults, while following Jesus on a path leading to ultimate fulfillment and eternal life?

RESPOND: In what way is the description of the good and true Shepherd a picture of Jesus’ relationship with His people? (See 10:1 note.) What did Jesus mean when He said that the sheep listen to the shepherd’s voice but do not follow a strangers’ voice? How does this apply to you and to those in the Church today? What does Jesus mean in saying, “I am the gate” (vv. 7, 9)? (See 10:9 note.) How does Jesus’ coming and purpose contrast with the purpose of our spiritual enemy, the devil? (See 10:10 note.) In what ways do Satan and his forces kill, steal and destroy? In what ways does Jesus give life “to the full” (v. 10)? What’s the significance of Jesus claim as “the good shepherd”? (See 10:11 note.) How did Jesus ultimately fi ll this role, proving His love for His “sheep” (vv. 11, 15, 17)? What does this passage illustrate about false spiritual leaders and how you can detect them? How can you take comfort in the fact that Jesus knows His sheep? (See 10:14 note.) What does verse 18 indicate about Jesus’ power and love for us?

PRAY: Thank Jesus for His care over you and for knowing you personally and individually. Also, thank Jesus
for coming to give you life to the fullest.

ACT: As you go through the day, notice all the evidence you can of how the devil is robbing, killing and bringing destruction on people. Look for signs of this in people’s lives, in situations and in various forms of media. Pray for God’s help and healing in these situations. Take action to help and encourage anyone you can. Talk about your faith if the situation arises. This will take a sense of boldness and adventure, which is part of living life “to the full” (v. 10).

THINK: “How can a loving God allow suffering and evil to continue?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” “Where is God when tragedy strikes?” These questions represent people’s struggle to reconcile the idea of an all loving, all-powerful God with all the bad things they see going on around them. But questions like these also show a misunderstanding of what’s normal and what’s exceptional in the world. Because humankind has rebelled against God and chosen their own way over His, sin and evil have taken hold and turned the world upside down and backward from the way God created it. Disorder and destruction have become the norm. The fact that good exists at all—and can even come out of suffering—is proof of God’s love and patience toward a world that continues to defy Him.

RESPOND: Why do you think that Jesus’ disciples suspected that someone’s sin had caused the man’s blindness (v. 2)? Can an individual’s sin ever lead to illness and tragedy? Explain. (See 9:3 note.) Judging from this passage, why does God sometimes allow suffering? Why doesn’t God always make His purposes apparent to us at first? How can God be honored in people’s lives through difficulty and suffering? How can people actually benefit spiritually through these kinds of trials? How and why do people often insult and reject those whom Jesus has set free (cf. vv. 27-29)? What was the leaders’ attitude toward others and toward themselves (v. 34)? In what way was it a blessing for the man to be thrown out of the synagogue? (See 9:34 note.) How is this a lesson to those in lifeless churches and unbiblical religions? What did Jesus mean when He said that He came “so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind”? (See 9:39 note.) What does this have to do with people’s attitudes toward God and toward themselves?

PRAY: Thank Jesus for taking you through difficulties in ways that honor Him and bring you closer to God. Thank Him for the privilege of enduring insults and opposition that come as a result of your faith and His work in your life.

ACT: Read the article on The Suffering of the Righteous, p. 638, to gain Biblical insight into why God allows
suffering in the world. Encourage a couple individuals today who are going through very difficult times. Pray
for these individuals on the spot if you feel they are open to that.

THINK: What is God like? It seems like a lot of people would like to know. But can humans really understand
what God is like? People through the centuries have struggled with that question? But the fact is, God has not made it difficult to get a good glimpse of what He’s like and even to relate to Him on a personal level. As you may have considered in your study over the last few days, God has revealed himself clearly through the Person of Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus is God in the flesh, who came to earth in human form to endure our trials, to fulfill God’s plans, and ultimately to provide the way for us to have an eternal relationship with Him. If you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus through God’s Word and prayer, surrender yourself to His purposes and follow Him.

RESPOND: What does Jesus mean when He says that “if anyone keeps my word he will never see death”? (See 10:28 note.) How can you “keep” God’s Word? How does God’s Word provide life? What is the significance of Jesus’ statement that “before Abraham was born, I am”? (See 8:58 note.) What does this statement indicate about the nature and character of Jesus? What other characteristics and attributes does Jesus possess as God? In what ways do these traits affect you? How do they provide comfort? How do they inspire faith? How do they help you stay devoted to Jesus?

PRAY: Thank Jesus for His life-giving Word and ask Him to give you insight so you can understand and obey
His Word. Praise Him as the all-powerful and eternal Son of God.

ACT: Take some extra time now and throughout the day to worship God for His many matchless character
traits. Read the article on The Attributes of God, p. 786, and praise Him for the specific traits mentioned. As
you go through the day, notice the evidence of His attributes, such as His power and creativity displayed in
creation and His patience when you don’t respond as you should right away. Make this an ongoing practice