Date: April 17, 2022
Jesus Lives—and You Can Too
The Point: Rest confidently in the resurrection of Christ.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
People magazine recently published a list of celebrity sightings. This list, with photos, shows the places where celebrities have been sighted dining in public. The list includes people like …
* Actress Kate Bosworth who was spotted at the Britt’s Donut Shop in Carolina Beach, NC.
* Actress Chrissy Metz who was spotted at The Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN.
* Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli who was spotted at Shukette in New York City.
* Musician Mick Jagger who was spotted at the Thirsty Beaver Saloon in Charlotte, NC.
* First Lady Jill Biden who was spotted at Don Angie in New York City.
* Comedian and actor Jimmy Fallon who was spotted in the kitchen with the staff of Rezdor.
Say: If you were dining in one of those restaurants when the celebrity walked in, you might have been surprised to see the person. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you been surprised to run into someone unexpectedly?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from: https://people.com/food/celebrity-restaurant-bar-sightings-2021/
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #5.
David Slabodenko is just one of the many people working with churches and other volunteers to help care for Ukrainian refugees who are arriving in America, fleeing the war in their country. The Russian Baptist Church in West Sacramento is one of these churches that is helping. Church members are receiving refugees to live in their homes temporarily.
“We’re going to accept them in our families first,” said Senior Pastor Mikhail Avramenko, “and then we’ll open our gym and our second building and our classrooms to convert them to temporary living facilities.
Slabodenko explains that “In Sacremento, we have around 200,000 Slavic people who speak Russian and Ukrainian, but we’re not going to be able to take all these people [the refugees] in, so we’re trying to get American churches also involved. I just want to tell you guys, this is the time to open our hearts, to open our minds and just help these people.”
“It brings awareness that we are children of one God,” Pastor Avramenko said. “We are all under one God, no matter what ethnicity you are…. Many, many people are going to come from Ukraine. And we have formed a committee, a Fast Response Help Committee, so they are taking all kinds of requests from emails, texts, phone calls from Ukraine about material help, financial help, and spiritual help definitely, maybe settlement help.”
Say: Pastor Avramenko and the Russian Baptist Church are showing God’s love by meeting physical needs to provide shelter for refugees. Every community has needs. Then call attention to Question #5 (What can our group do to help one another share the good news effectively?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from: https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/please-help-me-church-rescues-ukrainian-refugees-as-ethicists-urge-u-s-aid
— Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Study the Bible Option (from Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide, p. 34)
After talking about the news and the resurrection of Christ needs to be shared, to illustrate a creative way to discuss how to share Jesus, direct students to the front cover of their books or show this video of Tony Evans explaining how to share the gospel. Afterwards, follow the remaining instructions on page 34.
Live It Out (Option from the Daily Discipleship Guide, p. 144)
As you begin the Live It Out section, text or email this link (In Christ Alone) to your group members. Invite group members to continue worshiping Christ throughout this week for His victory over sin and death.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- When have you been excited to share some news?
- What Easter activities help you to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection?
- When has an unexpected event wowed you?
Matthew 28:1-5
- What do the events in these verses say about God?
- When have you seen God work in a powerful way?
- When has God calmed your fears with truth?
Matthew 28:6-7
- Why should we include the resurrection of Jesus when we present the gospel?
- What “proof” do we have to show unbelievers that Jesus is alive?
- What testimony and evidence point to Jesus’s work in your life?
Matthew 28:8-10
- Who shared with you the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection?
- How did you feel when you first heard the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection?
- What part of sharing your faith causes you fear? Which part brings you joy?
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:
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Magazine Articles
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- HomeLife – Resting in the Risen Lord
- Mature Living – Myth or Reality?
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Excellent material