The Essential Jesus – Week 12 Readings & Questions

Attached is the list of readings for this week of our Essential Jesus sermon series — Since Easter is next Sunday, this week we’ll look at Jesus’ resurrection. 

We’ll be reading the resurrection account in all four gospels. Normally, we look at only one gospel story each year, so this will be a new one for me. As you read, you’ll notice that all the resurrection accounts include certain basics, but each one also includes additional facts unique to that writer. I used to be troubled by this, but now I find it really enhances the story.

Essential Jesus Readings – Week 12
April 4 – The Resurrection of Jesus

  1. Resurrection Thriller: Matthew 28:1-20

How do you think you would have reacted at the empty tomb? What unique aspects of Matthew’s resurrection story do you find compelling?

  1. A Short Story: Mark 16:1-20

The earliest and best manuscripts have Mark’s gospel ending after 16:8. Assuming that was intentional, why might the author want to end there? Why might later scribes want to add more?

  1. Walk to Emmaus: Luke 24:1-49

What does Luke’s story of Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus tell you about the resurrected Jesus? What would you have done if you were one of those on the road?

  1. Follow Me! John 20:1-21:25

How did each of the main characters in this passage react when they saw the risen Lord? How do you think you would have reacted? 

  1. Paul’s Story: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Why is the fact of Christ’s actual, literal resurrection so important? What in Paul’s account adds to the story told in the four gospels?

Reflection Questions About These Readings:

  1. What was your reaction the first time you heard about the resurrection of Jesus? How has your understanding changed over the years?
  2. What is the importance of Jesus’ literal resurrection to your Christian faith? Do you think someone can be a Christian and not believe that Jesus was resurrected? Why or why not?
  3. The five readings for this week all describe the resurrection a bit differently. How does that make you feel – more or less secure about the historicity of the event? Why?
  4. All four of the gospel accounts describe one or more women as the first witnesses to the resurrection. What might that tell you about the importance of women in the early church?
  5. Do you have any lingering questions about the resurrection of Jesus? What are they and what answers does the Bible give to them?
  6. You’ve now read the last chapters of each of the four gospels. What do the endings in each tell you about what the author thought important?

 

And don’t forget:  Every Wednesday night we have a zoom bible study to look at the passages discussed in last Sunday’s sermon. On Wednesday, March 31, at 6:30 we’ll look at the last hours of Jesus’ life.

 

And don’t forget:  Every Wednesday night we have a zoom bible study to look at the passages discussed in last Sunday’s sermon. On Wednesday, March 31, at 6:30 we’ll look at the last hours of Jesus’ life.

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