In our Bible study today, we are talking about an event that changed the course of history. In fact, our entire faith hinges on this one event. We are talking about the resurrection of Jesus. Everything changed when Jesus rose from the grave, overcoming sin and death. As we talk about the resurrection of Jesus today, we will see that Jesus’ death and resurrection truly occurred, and, as a result, we can stake our entire lives on Jesus and His resurrection.
What is an old recipe a loved one used to make, or you used to make, that you would like to resurrect?
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1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:14-19. Based on this passage of Scripture, why is the resurrection the essential element of our faith?
1 Corinthians 15:14-19
And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
2. What would our lives be like if Jesus had never risen from the dead?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. Contrast Adam’s impact on the world versus Jesus’ when He came to earth.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 21So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.
4. Read 1 Corinthians 5:42-45. What are you looking forward to about our new, spiritual bodies after reading this passage of Scripture because of Jesus’ resurrection?
1 Corinthians 5:42-44
It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
1. As you think about your own life, what is one difference Christ has made in your life since you began following Him?
2. How does the news that Jesus overcame sin and death through His resurrection impact our day-to-day lives? In other words, how should followers of Christ live on a daily basis with the reminder of the life we have in Him because of His resurrection?
3. Who are you currently sharing your faith with who is in need of the hope and life that Jesus brings? How is it going? If someone’s name does not come to mind, where can you start going to build relationships with those who are far from Christ?
Break up into groups of two or three and pray for each other. Pray that God would give each one of you confidence, boldness, and determination to spread the good news that Jesus has risen from the grave far and wide. Commit to continuing to pray for each other throughout the next week.
Because of our faith in Christ, we can answer the question, “Did Jesus really rise from the grave?” with a confident “Yes.” Today, we are going to turn to several passages of Scripture that give us confidence in Jesus’ resurrection. As we turn to Scripture, we will see three reasons for our confidence in Jesus’ resurrection: Jesus prophesied His own death and resurrection, soldiers declared Him dead as He hung on the cross, and many people were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus.
I have heard it said that it is one thing for someone to predict their own death and resurrection, but it is a completely different thing for someone to accurately predict their own death and resurrection. That is exactly what Jesus did, and the predictions of His death and resurrection that came to fruition are undeniable evidence that He is who He claimed to be and that He rose from the grave.
1. Read Matthew 12:38-41.
Matthew 12:38-41
One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.” 39But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41“The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.
2.What similarities do you see between Jonah’s story and Jesus’ story? What differences do you see?
3. How is Jesus infinitely greater than Jonah?
4. How did Jesus show the Pharisees the ultimate sign, even though it was different from what they requested from Him?
As we think about the reality of Jesus' resurrection, we were reminded during the weekend message that another question to consider is, “Did Jesus really die?” Of course, the answer to this question is, “Yes, of course Jesus really died.” Scripture teaches that Jesus was declared dead by the soldiers crucifying Him, and they made every attempt to ensure that He was dead. He did all of this willingly, knowing this was why He had come to this earth: to die on the cross to rescue the world from sin.
1. Read John 19:28-37.
John 19:28-37
Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. 31It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35(This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) 36These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37and “They will look on the one they pierced.”
2. Describe Jesus’ attitude during His last moments before His death on the cross.
3. What was the purpose of piercing Jesus in the side if it was clear that Jesus was dead? Why do you think the Holy Spirit prompted John to include that detail in this passage of Scripture?
4. How does this recording of Jesus’ death give you confidence that Jesus really died, and, therefore, rose from the grave?
When Jesus rose from the grave, He appeared to some of the women He had ministered to and to His disciples. He did not stop there, however. Jesus revealed Himself to over 500 other followers. The eyewitness account of those who saw Him gives us confidence that Jesus certainly did rise from the grave. Those who saw Him with their own eyes risen from the grave must have shared what they had seen with others. We know that at least His disciples spread the news that He had risen from the grave. It stands to reason that many of these eyewitnesses also shared the hope that He was alive.
1. Read 1st Corinthians 15:5-7.
1st Corinthians 15:5-7
He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.
2. How do Paul’s words in this passage of Scripture give confidence in Jesus’ resurrection?
3. Who shared the hope of Christ, who overcame sin and death, with you?
4. When it comes to sharing your faith, what steps and tools have you found particularly helpful?
Your challenge this week is to take a specific, measurable, and attainable step in sharing your faith. It could be setting out to build intentional relationships, practicing telling your 2-minute story or the Bridge Illustration, inviting someone to church with you this weekend, or something else. However it looks for you, share with your group how you will grow in sharing your faith this week, and commit to taking that step.
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