The Bible App is completely free, with no advertising and no in-app purchases. Get the app
The Bridge Church
Easter 2026 - I AM the Resurrection and the Life
April 2, 4 & 5, 2026
Locations & Times
Bridge Church
2410 N River Rd, Venice, FL 34292, USA
Thursday 6:30 PM
Saturday 1:00 PM
Saturday 3:00 PM
Saturday 5:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:45 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
1. Jesus’ delays are not His denials
2. Jesus grieves over sin and death
3. Jesus conquered death to give us eternal life
Lazarus – “God is my help”
Luke 24:5-6
...“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. “He is not here, but he has risen!
...“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. “He is not here, but he has risen!
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390
I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390
I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
Dig Deeper:
1. On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Describe the personal impact you have seen by what Jesus did for you on the cross. How is your life different because of Jesus?
2. Read John 11:1-3. What do you know about Jesus’s relationship with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha – three siblings from Bethany? What do we learn specifically about Mary in this passage (see John 12:1-8 for more information)?
3. Read John 11:4. What does Jesus proclaim in His response? What does it mean that the “Son of God may be glorified through it”? Look up the definition of glorify to help shape your response.
4. Read John 11:5-6. Jesus had unconditional love for this family. Knowing this, is it usual to hear that he stayed on for two more days but did nothing to help Lazarus at that time? Why or why not?
5. Describe a time when you asked God for direction, or for an answer, believing that Jesus should do something for you in that situation, but He didn’t answer your prayer in the way you expected. How was this experience?
6. Read John 11:17-19. Why was it not surprising to Jesus that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days?
7. Why did Jesus wait for four days after Lazarus died before He came back, even though He was only two miles away?
8. What might the Jewish people who came to comfort the family have been thinking at this time?
9. Read John 11:20-21. What was the response from each of the two sisters when Jesus first arrives? What does that reveal to us about their different personalities?
10. Why does Jesus not correct Martha in her honest response? Why does Jesus welcome authentic, real prayers?
11. Read John 11:22-24. What does Martha reveal to us in her statement? What does Jesus reveal to us in His response?
12. Read John 11:25-26. What does it mean for Jesus to be the “resurrection and the life”?
13. Read John 11:27. What is her response? Why do you think Jesus wants her to answer this question now?
14. Read John 11:32-34. How is Mary’s interaction with Jesus different from when Martha approached Him? How is it the same?
15. Read John 11:34-35. When someone is deeply moved, what might you see or hear from the person?
16. Read John 11:34-35. Why did Jesus cry? What does this reveal about who He is?
17. Read John 11:38-39. What does Jesus know in this moment? What does Martha not yet understand?
18. Read John 11:40. Why did Jesus have the stone removed? Was this the only way for the situation to unfold? Why or why not?
19. Read John 11:41-42. What does Jesus say to God the Father? Why? Who is He focused on? Why?
20. Read John 11:43-44. Who is witness to this miracle? What might have someone watching been thinking in this moment?
21. How is Lazarus a picture of every person who needs a saving relationship with Jesus Christ?
22. Read Luke 24:5-6. How is Lazarus’s resurrection a preview of the ultimate resurrection?
23. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. What is the difference between grieving “like people who have no hope” and grieving like people who do have hope?
24. One day, Jesus asked His disciples a question that every person must eventually answer: “Who do you say that I am?”. As we kick off this new series, I AM, what is your response to this question – who do you say that Jesus is?
Live It Out:
Are you prepared for eternity? Because the tomb is empty, we have eternal hope through Jesus Christ! In John 11:25, Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Today, what is your response to this question? Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
If you know that you need to repent and believe in Jesus today, God’s gift of salvation is available to you. You can respond in prayer right now by praying, “Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Thank you forconquering death. I believe that you lived, died, and rose again. I can’t save myself. I repent of my sin, and Ibelieve in You.”
If you have already surrendered to Jesus, but you are walking through a difficult time, remember that you have a Savior who weeps with you. Jesus grieves over sin and death, and His delays are not His denials. Even in this difficult time, lean into Him, knowing that He promises to never leave or forsake us. Stand firm in your faith and belief of what Jesus did for all of us on the cross and celebrate all that He is and all that has done and continues to do.
1. On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Describe the personal impact you have seen by what Jesus did for you on the cross. How is your life different because of Jesus?
2. Read John 11:1-3. What do you know about Jesus’s relationship with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha – three siblings from Bethany? What do we learn specifically about Mary in this passage (see John 12:1-8 for more information)?
3. Read John 11:4. What does Jesus proclaim in His response? What does it mean that the “Son of God may be glorified through it”? Look up the definition of glorify to help shape your response.
4. Read John 11:5-6. Jesus had unconditional love for this family. Knowing this, is it usual to hear that he stayed on for two more days but did nothing to help Lazarus at that time? Why or why not?
5. Describe a time when you asked God for direction, or for an answer, believing that Jesus should do something for you in that situation, but He didn’t answer your prayer in the way you expected. How was this experience?
6. Read John 11:17-19. Why was it not surprising to Jesus that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days?
7. Why did Jesus wait for four days after Lazarus died before He came back, even though He was only two miles away?
8. What might the Jewish people who came to comfort the family have been thinking at this time?
9. Read John 11:20-21. What was the response from each of the two sisters when Jesus first arrives? What does that reveal to us about their different personalities?
10. Why does Jesus not correct Martha in her honest response? Why does Jesus welcome authentic, real prayers?
11. Read John 11:22-24. What does Martha reveal to us in her statement? What does Jesus reveal to us in His response?
12. Read John 11:25-26. What does it mean for Jesus to be the “resurrection and the life”?
13. Read John 11:27. What is her response? Why do you think Jesus wants her to answer this question now?
14. Read John 11:32-34. How is Mary’s interaction with Jesus different from when Martha approached Him? How is it the same?
15. Read John 11:34-35. When someone is deeply moved, what might you see or hear from the person?
16. Read John 11:34-35. Why did Jesus cry? What does this reveal about who He is?
17. Read John 11:38-39. What does Jesus know in this moment? What does Martha not yet understand?
18. Read John 11:40. Why did Jesus have the stone removed? Was this the only way for the situation to unfold? Why or why not?
19. Read John 11:41-42. What does Jesus say to God the Father? Why? Who is He focused on? Why?
20. Read John 11:43-44. Who is witness to this miracle? What might have someone watching been thinking in this moment?
21. How is Lazarus a picture of every person who needs a saving relationship with Jesus Christ?
22. Read Luke 24:5-6. How is Lazarus’s resurrection a preview of the ultimate resurrection?
23. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. What is the difference between grieving “like people who have no hope” and grieving like people who do have hope?
24. One day, Jesus asked His disciples a question that every person must eventually answer: “Who do you say that I am?”. As we kick off this new series, I AM, what is your response to this question – who do you say that Jesus is?
Live It Out:
Are you prepared for eternity? Because the tomb is empty, we have eternal hope through Jesus Christ! In John 11:25, Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Today, what is your response to this question? Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
If you know that you need to repent and believe in Jesus today, God’s gift of salvation is available to you. You can respond in prayer right now by praying, “Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Thank you forconquering death. I believe that you lived, died, and rose again. I can’t save myself. I repent of my sin, and Ibelieve in You.”
If you have already surrendered to Jesus, but you are walking through a difficult time, remember that you have a Savior who weeps with you. Jesus grieves over sin and death, and His delays are not His denials. Even in this difficult time, lean into Him, knowing that He promises to never leave or forsake us. Stand firm in your faith and belief of what Jesus did for all of us on the cross and celebrate all that He is and all that has done and continues to do.
Reading Plan
Monday: John 11:1-6
Tuesday: John 11:17-27
Wednesday: John 11:32-35
Thursday: John 11:38-42
Friday: John 11:43-44
Saturday: Luke 24:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Monday: John 11:1-6
Tuesday: John 11:17-27
Wednesday: John 11:32-35
Thursday: John 11:38-42
Friday: John 11:43-44
Saturday: Luke 24:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14