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Resurrection Sunday/Easter Study Guide: Suggestions For Family Devotions Or A Small Group Study

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Texts of Scripture and Questions to Ponder

What evidence is there that the Old Testament saints anticipated a bodily resurrection? (Hint: We should approach this in the light of Hebrews 11:13-16.)

Enoch

Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5

Abraham

Genesis 22; Romans 4, especially vss. 16-25; Hebrews 11:17-19

David

2 Samuel 12:18-23

Elijah

2 Kings 2:11-12

Elisha

2 Kings 13:21

Job

Job 19:25-27

The Psalmists

Psalm 16:7-11; 17:15; 23:4-6; 73:1-28; 116:15

The Prophets

Isaiah 53:7-12; Daniel 12:1-2; Malachi

What did Jesus do or say related to His upcoming death and resurrection?

  • Jesus raised the dead: Matthew 3:9; 10:8; 27:50-53; 11:4-5; Mark 5:25-43; Luke 7:11-16; John 11:30-44, and so did the apostles (Matthew 10:8; 11:2-6; Acts 9:32-43; 20:9-11).
  • He told His disciples and others of His upcoming death and resurrection: Matthew 12:38-40; 16:21; 17:9; 17:22-23; 20:18-19; 26:32; Mark 14:28; Luke 9:22; John 2:19-22; 6:38-54; 12:1, 9, 17ff.
  • Jesus staked His entire ministry on the fact that He would rise from the dead: Matthew 12:38-40. (The apostles did the same thing – basing their preaching the gospel on the fact of Christ’s resurrection: Acts 1:22; 2:24; 2:31-32; 3:15, 26; 4:2, 10, 33; 5:30; 10:40; 13:27-39; 17:18; 24:14-15; 24:21; 26:23.)

During His earthly ministry, how did Jesus’ disciples respond to revelations concerning His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21ff.; Mark 9:9-14; 9:31-37; 16:9-11)? Were they predisposed to believe in His resurrection? What changed this?

How important was the resurrection of Jesus (and of all the dead) to the N.T. writers? What did they make of the resurrection, its meaning, and its application to us? How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ impact people today?

  • Acts 1:22; 2:14-47; 3:6; 4:2, 10, 33; 5:30-32; 13:26-39; 17:18; 17:30-34; 23:6-10; 24:14-15; 24:21; 26:21-23.
  • Romans 1:4; 4:16-25; 5:12-21; 6:1-11; 8:11; 10:6-10; 10:38-43
  • 1 Corinthians 15
  • Ephesians 4:7ff.
  • Philippians 1:19-26; 3:7-11
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
  • 2 Timothy 2:15-18
  • Hebrews 11:13-16
  • 1 Peter 1:3; 3:21-22
  • Revelation 20:4-15

According to Hebrews 11:13-16, Romans 4:13-25, Romans 10:9, and 1 Corinthians 15, what is the relationship between believing in a physical, bodily resurrection and saving faith?

Name several reasons for believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?

  • John 21:14
  • 1 Corinthians 15:1-9; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 9:1-22; 13:30-31
  • Acts 2:23-32; 17:2-3;
  • John 16:7-11 (especially verse 10).
  • Romans 8:11
  • Acts 3:3-16; 4:8-10

If we preach that Christ was raised from the dead, and thus all the dead (believers and unbelievers) will also be raised, how is it that the doctrine of the resurrection can be joyfully embraced by Christians (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and yet fearfully anticipated by unbelievers (Acts 10:42; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 2:14-15; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 1:18; 20:12-15)?

How had Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the Sadducees regarding the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-34)? Why is it that the Jewish religious leaders (particularly the Sadducees) so strongly resisted the proclamation of the resurrection by the apostles (see Matthew 27:62-64; Acts 4:1-2; 5:17; 23:6-7)?

This will be a thought-provoker. Why is it that when we celebrate communion (the Lord’s table) we focus on the incarnation (the bread) and on the death of Jesus Christ (the wine), but nothing is specifically stated regarding the resurrection of Jesus (though it is implied in 1 Corinthians 11:26)? (Hint: What symbol could represent the resurrection of Jesus?)

What is the significance of the resurrection? What difference does it make whether or not one believes in the resurrection?

What are some differences between the biblical doctrine of the resurrection (of Christ, and of all the dead) and a belief in reincarnation?

So, summing up the teaching of the Scriptures on the resurrection of our Lord, what is it that we can and should celebrate this Easter? In what ways does the resurrection prompt our worship, as well as our efforts to share the gospel with unbelievers?

Related Topics: Easter, Resurrection

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