Resurrection is here! On Easter Sunday, Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, “The Kingdom Life,” with a message from Luke 24:1-12.
SERMON OUTLINE
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6)
Four Views of the Empty Tomb
- The women
- The angels
- The disciples
- Peter
Three Stage of Faith
- From grief to belief: “it has happened!” [the women]
- From no hope to nonsense: “it can’t happen.” [the disciples]
- From doubt to wonder: “could it happen?” [Peter]
The Gospel According to the Angels (Luke 24:5-7)
- Accurate perception (24:5)
- Declaration of resurrection (24:6, 23)
- Call to remember (24:6b-7)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is your favorite memory of Easter time?
- This weekend we celebrate Easter and begin a new series entitled “The Kingdom Life.” We focus on Luke 24:1-12 this week. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you as you study His word. Then read that passage out loud.
- What do you notice about the women from 24:1-9 and 22-23?
- What do the two figures, later called ‘angels’ (24:23), say to the women (24:5-7)?
- What sort of impact does it have on the women?
- When they return to the Eleven (apostles minus Judas) and the others gathered with them in Jerusalem, what is the disciples’ response to the message of the women (24:9-11)?
- Why do you think they responded in that way? How might you have responded if you were in their situation?
- Peter rushes to the tomb to see for himself (24:12). What about Peter’s experience with Jesus may have led him to do this?
- Which group of people do you relate to more in their response to the resurrection: the women, the disciples, or Peter? Why?
- What is one way that God is speaking to you personally about the resurrection of Jesus through this study? If you’re on your own, write it down and share it with someone later. If you are with a small group, discuss this together.