For any major event in our lives, we prepare. We prepare for final exams, for vacations, for Christmas, for weddings, and for many other things. Jesus also prepared for the resurrection, but it wasn’t preparing for his sake, it was for ours. As we celebrate Easter, find out how Jesus prepared us for the most significant event in human history with “The Resurrection Pre-Game Show.”
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MESSAGE STUDY NOTES (also as PDF download above)
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WARM UP
How are the preparations for Easter and Christmas the same for you? How are they different?
READ
John 11:21-26, 32-33, 38-39, 43-44; I Corinthians 15:25-26
TAKEAWAYS
1. The resurrection guarantees us against loss
2. The resurrection is the only hope of life after death
3. The resurrection assures us our sins are forgiven
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Why do you think Jesus let his friend die? What do you think this may tell us about the nature of suffering itself?
2. Why do you think Jesus answered Martha and Mary differently having been asked the same question?
APPLICATION
How does the historicity of the resurrection help to share the gospel?
FOR MENTORING
What are common objections to the resurrection and how would you answer them?