Lesson 30
Your Loved Ones Can Live Again!
Death causes much grief and sadness. That is why the Bible calls death an enemy.
In Lesson 27, you learned that Jehovah will defeat that enemy. But what will happen to the people who have already died? In this lesson, you will learn more about another wonderful promise of Jehovah—he will bring billions of people back to enjoy life forever. He will resurrect them! Can that really happen? Will they be resurrected to live in heaven or on earth?
1. What does Jehovah want to do for our loved ones who have died?
Jehovah longs to bring people who have died back to life. A man of faith named Job was confident that God would not forget him when he died. He said to God: “You will call, and I will answer you [from the Grave].”
Read Job 14.13-15: O that in the Grave you would conceal me, That you would hide me until your anger passes by, That you would set a time limit for me and remember me! If a man dies, can he live again? I will wait all the days of my compulsory service Until my relief comes. You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands.
2. How do we know that the dead can be resurrected?
When Jesus was on earth, God gave him the power to resurrect people. Jesus raised a 12-year-old girl and a widow’s son back to life.
Later, Jesus’ friend Lazarus died. Although Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days, Jesus brought him back to life. After praying to God, Jesus simply cried out toward the tomb: “Lazarus, come out!” And “the man who had been dead came out” —alive!
Imagine how happy Lazarus’ family and friends were!
3. What hope is there for your loved ones who have died?
The Bible promises: “There is going to be a resurrection.”
Those whom Jesus resurrected in the past had not gone to heaven.
They were happy to be brought back to life right here on earth. Likewise, Jesus will soon resurrect billions to enjoy life forever on a paradise earth. He said that “all those in the memorial tombs”—even those who may seem to be forgotten but are in God’s memory—will be resurrected.
DIG DEEPER
Examine the evidence from the Bible that the dead can and will be resurrected. Learn how the resurrection can bring you comfort and give you hope.
4. Jesus proved that he can resurrect the dead
Learn more about what Jesus did for his friend Lazarus.
Read John 11.14: Then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazarus has died,
Read John 11.38-44: Then Jesus, after groaning again within himself, came to the tomb. It was, in fact, a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said: “Take the stone away.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: “Lord, by now he must smell, for it has been four days.” Jesus said to her: “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” So they took the stone away. Then Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. True, I knew that you always hear me; but I spoke on account of the crowd standing around, so that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Lazarus, come out!” The man who had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them: “Free him and let him go.”
Discuss these questions:
How do we know that Lazarus was really dead?
If Lazarus had gone to heaven, do you think that Jesus would have brought him back to life on earth?
Play the VIDEO.
AD))) Video Title: Jesus Resurrects Lazarus (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 1:17).
5. Many will be resurrected!
Read Psalm 37.29: The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.
Discuss this question:
Where will the billions who will be resurrected live?
Jesus will resurrect many more than just the ones who worshipped Jehovah.
Read Acts 24.15: And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.
Discuss this question:
Whom would you like to see come back to life?
6. The resurrection can bring you comfort and give you hope
The Bible account of Jairus’ daughter has comforted and encouraged many who grieve.
Read Luke 8.40-42: When Jesus returned, the crowd received him kindly, for they were all expecting him. But look! a man named Jairus came; this man was a presiding officer of the synagogue. And he fell at the feet of Jesus and began to plead with him to come to his house, because his only daughter, who was about 12 years old, was dying. As Jesus was going, the crowds pressed in on him.
Read Luke 8.49-56: While he was yet speaking, a representative of the presiding officer of the synagogue came, saying: “Your daughter has died; do not bother the Teacher any longer.” On hearing this, Jesus answered him: “Have no fear, only have faith, and she will be saved.” When he reached the house, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the girl’s father and mother. But people were all weeping and beating themselves in grief for her. So he said: “Stop weeping, for she did not die but is sleeping.” At this they began to laugh at him scornfully, because they knew she had died. But he took her by the hand and called to her: “Child, get up!” And her spirit returned, and she rose immediately, and he ordered that something be given her to eat. Well, her parents were beside themselves, but he instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
Before resurrecting Jairus’ daughter, Jesus told her father: “Have no fear, only have faith.”
How might the hope of the resurrection help you...
when a loved one dies?
when your life is in danger?
Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.
AD))) Video Title: The Resurrection Hope Imparts Courage—How? (with Audio Description and Transcript) (Duration: 3:22).
How has the resurrection hope comforted and encouraged Phelicity’s parents?
SOME PEOPLE SAY: “The idea of a resurrection sounds too good to be true.”
What do you think?
What scripture could you use to show that there is going to be a resurrection?
SUMMARY
The Bible promises that billions who have died will be resurrected. Jehovah wants them to live again, and he has given Jesus the power to resurrect them.
Review
How do Jehovah and Jesus feel about bringing the dead back to life?
Where will billions of resurrected people live—in heaven or on earth? Why do you say so?
What convinces you that your loved ones can live again?
Lesson completed on:
Goal
If you know someone who is grieving, share the hope of the resurrection with him or her at an appropriate time.
Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.
From lesson 30, memorize John 5:28, 29: Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.
EXPLORE
1. Learn what practical steps you can take to cope with grief.
“Help for Those Who Grieve” (Awake! No. 3 2018) Open explore 1 in new page
2. Can Bible principles really help someone who is grieving?
When a Loved One Dies (5:06) Open explore 2 in new page
3. How can children cope with the death of a loved one?
The Ransom (2:07) Open explore 3 in new page
4. Will anyone be resurrected to heaven? Who will not be resurrected?
“What Is the Resurrection?” (Web article) Open explore 4 in new page
[End of lesson 30.]