The Purpose of the Resurrection
Luke 24:1-12, NLT
1. READ THE INTRODUCTION
If our small group schedule hasn’t been interrupted with snow or sickness, we should be celebrating Easter next week. I felt like this would be a great opportunity to talk about the purpose of the
resurrection, which in turn, brings even more clarity to our mission as believers. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the only reason we can say we belong to God. The resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us who believes, which is how we supernaturally walk in Kingdom purpose.
The resurrection of Jesus is what separates Christianity from every other religion on the planet. No other religion claims their god or deity became man, died for our sake and then was resurrected into a glorified body. Christianity is the only religion that teaches salvation can’t be earned by good works or living a good life (all other religions teach there’s something you have to do in order to receive salvation). Christianity teaches that salvation is a gift from God (Ephesians 2: 8-9). We owe a debt that we can’t pay. Yet, Jesus paid for all of our sins; our sins yesterday, today and the sins we will commit tomorrow. That, was the purpose of the resurrection. As we read our story and other places in scripture, we’ll gain more clarity about the day Jesus rose from the dead and changed the world forever.
2. TELL STORY IN YOUR OWN WORDS
3 READ THE STORY
‘But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.’ Luke 24:1-12, NLT
4. LIFE QUESTIONS
A. What is your favorite Easter tradition?
B. What would have been your initial reaction if you were the first person at the tomb?
C. How would you have told the other disciples what had happened? Would it look differently than what Mary and Martha said?
D. While the disciples didn’t believe their story, Peter was the first to jump up and run out the door. Why do you think that is? (Read Mark 14:66-72).
E. What do you think was running through Peter’s mind when he came to the tomb?
F. Read Romans 8: 9-11. How can resurrection power impact your life today? How will the resurrection impact you in death?
G. Read Hebrews 10:1-10. How does this unpack the heart of the resurrection and why Jesus had to go to the cross?
H. Read Colossians 1:4-6. Paul talks about the fruit of life change as a result of sharing this “good news.” How can sharing the true meaning of the resurrection produce life change in the lives of your family and friends?
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