Date: March 31, 2024
The Resurrection of Jesus
The Point: Jesus rose again to give us victory over death.
Get Into the Study
Share the following story before asking Question #1.
While we probably don’t want to admit it, we have all had moments of panic when a bug invaded our homes. Some brave family members might charge into action, while others scream and get as far away from the critters as possible. You might have the courage to eradicate the invader, but some of you have sought solutions for removing a bug from your home without killing it.
There may be an answer for you. On a recent episode of Shark Tank, Mark Cuban decided to invest in Justin Huang’s invention called Cup-a-Bug. The contraption modernizes the standard cup and paper method where someone traps a bug under a cup, slides a paper under the cup, and then takes all elements to remove the bug outside. The invention provides the ability to do that from the safe distance of a pole by placing the contraption on the bug, and then the container slides a barrier underneath. With this device, you don’t have to utilize harmful chemicals or clean up messy residue.
How helpful do you think this invention is? Would someone in your house want to use it?
While this invention may be helpful for many, maybe there’s something you hope to see soon. Ask Question #1/
Get Into the Study [Option from Adult Leader Guide]
Play a video clip about an interesting invention. Then ask Question #1.
Get Into the Study [Option from the Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide]
Click here for a recipe to the Resurrection Rolls mentioned in the Optional Idea (p. 28).
Study the Bible
Share the following story before asking Question #3.
Missionaries Travis and Beth Burkhalter share the gospel with the Embera people of Colombia, South America. They moved to the area in 2010. While serving initially with the people in Medellin, they eventually moved among an indigenous group.
This group doesn’t speak Spanish, so learning the Embera unwritten language was difficult. Amid a dangerous setting, Travis “traveled into the organized crime-controlled neighborhood where his friends lived and met in his car. It was the safest place in the community of drug addicts and violence.”
Over time, he learned the language and could share the gospel with people. Understanding the gravity of their salvation, he diligently developed his skills. He understood how “souls hang in the balance.” While challenging circumstances and overwhelming obstacles would keep many from continuing, they were faithful because they wanted to fulfill what Jesus had told them to do. Just recently, they were able to baptize the first person among the Embera people.
From the difficult days of preparation to the joyful moments of celebration, missionaries must trust in the power of God’s Word. Your situation may look different than theirs, but you are called to tell others about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. You might feel overwhelmed at the opportunity, but you can succeed if you remember all the promises in God’s Word.
Proceed with asking Question #3.
First known believer baptized among people group – IMB
Travis Agnew is a disciple of Jesus, husband to Amanda, dad to the Agnew 3, and Lead Pastor or Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. He loves writing about faith and family at travisagnew.org.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When have you been given great news when you were expecting bad news?
- When have you experienced a sweet “reunion” with a friend or family member?
- What are some of your favorite inventions
Luke 24:1-6a
- What does it say about the character of the women in that they prepared to anoint Jesus’ body?
- What emotions do you experience when you read these verses? Why?
- What are some ways people try to explain away the reality of the resurrection?
- Why are the words “He is risen” good news for us?
- What physical or emotional details in this passage give us a clue about the women’s frame of mind as they came to the tomb?
- How do you feel about death, given its defeat through Christ’s resurrection?
- How would you describe the significance of the empty tomb?
Luke 24:6b-8
- How can we live so that we are better able to remember the words of Jesus?
- When has remembering the words of Jesus helped you?
- Why is it significant that Jesus foretold His resurrection?
- Since Jesus constantly described His death and resurrection, why do you think His followers were slow to believe?
- When have you needed to be reminded of something Jesus said or did?
- What does the resurrection tell us about who Jesus is?
Luke 24:38-43
- How does Jesus reveal Himself to us today?
- How does this passage provide hope for people today?
- What can we learn about Jesus by His gentle reaction to the disciples’ doubts?
- What are some ways we can lead modern doubters to accept Jesus’ resurrection?
- When has joy overwhelmed you so much that you could hardly believe what you were experiencing?
- What do we learn about the resurrection from this passage?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
How Do We Know Jesus Rose from the Dead?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Please explain better how inventions are related to the resurrection.
The issue is not inventions: it’s predicting the future. The point of the Thomas Edison story relates to his ability to predict the future. Edison was a brilliant inventor holding 1,093 patents. He had tremendous insight regarding the future (where the world was heading) but missed it in his future prediction that eventually everything would be made out of steel. He missed it on that prediction. Jesus stated clearly that He was the resurrection and the life and that He would rise again from the dead (Luke 24:6b-8).
So true, thanks
Explain the Point of the Easter lesson which says “Jesus rose again…”. The word “again” seems out of step with scripture. Thanks and Happy Easter.
The phrase “rose again” referring to the resurrection of Jesus is used several times in the New Testament. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 is the primary passage where this phrase is used almost universally in primary Bible translations:
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (KJV)
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (CSB)
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. (NASB)
For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (NIV)
In the King James Version, this phrase is used in 1 Corinthians 15:4-5 in a chapter dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Cor. 15:4, KJV)
In the King James Version, this phrase is used in 2 Corinthians 5:15: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15)
The phrase, “rose again” is not intended to communicate a second resurrection, rather is indicates that Jesus actually died and God raised Him back to life.
Lynn, Thanks so much for your response which will be passed on to the group. Just to let you know, I really enjoy the weekly Bible study overview you all put together. It is always beneficial. Blessings!