The Shocking Testimony of the Women at the Tomb
Women were considered "outsiders" in Jesus' day yet they are at the center of the resurrection story.
Talking Points:
- During his ministry, Jesus sought the “outsiders”- the overlooked and marginalized in his world. Matthew 8:2-3, Mark 2:15-16
- Women were “outsiders” in Jesus’ day, yet they’re in the middle of the resurrection story. Luke 8:1-3, Luke 24:1-11
- If the resurrection story had been made up, it would not have been put in the mouths of women. The testimony of the women at the tomb is proof that Jesus really did rise from the dead and that his heart is for everyone-even the outsiders.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share a time you felt like an outsider. How did that experience impact you? How have you been guilty of treating others as outsiders?
- Read Matthew 8:2-3. Why do you think Jesus chose to touch the leper when he healed him? What is Jesus modeling for us in this story?
- Read Mark 2:15-16. Why did Jesus choose to spend his time with sinners instead of religious leaders? How can churches violate this example today? Have you ever felt like an outsider at church? Explain.
- Read Luke 24:1-11. Why do you think it was the women who went to the tomb that morning? What does it reveal about the disciples that they didn’t?
- What are your thoughts about the resurrection story? What questions do you have? Check out this topic.
- Read Romans 6:5-11. Identify all that this passage says about Jesus and us. Why does Jesus’ death and resurrection matter to us? Have you put your trust in Jesus?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
The Imperfect Journey of Doubting Thomas
The apostle Thomas appears several times in the Gospel of John, and each time we learn something about what an imperfect journey toward faith looks like.
Talking Points:
- Like many of us, Thomas started with zeal. He was willing to die for his faith. John 11:16
- Somewhere along the way Thomas got confused. Though he had been walking with Jesus, he didn’t fully get who he was. John 14:5-7
- After the death of Jesus, Thomas became a skeptic. He needed proof of life, not just a second-hand testimony. John 20:25
- When Thomas encountered the resurrected Christ, he reaffirmed his faith. The interaction proves that Jesus is not afraid of our doubts. John 20:26
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share some of your questions or doubts you’ve had about faith, the Bible and Jesus. How have you gone about finding answers to those questions in the past?
- “Doubt is not the opposite of faith.” Why is there room for doubt regarding matters of faith?
- Read John 11:16. Share your journey of faith. How is it similar to Thomas and how is it different?
- Read John 14:3-5. Share a time you were confused about what God was doing/not doing in a difficult situation. How did your confusion affect your walk with God?
- Read John 14:6-7. How did Jesus answer Thomas’ question? Why do you think he went beyond the question to more foundational information?
- Read John 20:25-29. How did Jesus respond to Thomas’ doubts? How has Jesus proved himself to you, reaffirming your faith?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
How Peter’s Failure Proves the Resurrection
The apostle Peter bears witness that Jesus is alive and that he overcomes even the deepest feelings of guilt and failure.
Talking Points:
- Peter was the guy who tried to walk on water (Mt 14:28-30), who rebuked Jesus for prophesying his death (Mt 16:22-23), and who even cut off a guy’s ear (Jn 18:10). Peter had a bold exterior, but his faith backstory is filled with shame and failure. Luke 22:54-62
- After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples in a familiar way (Lk 5:1-11) and then reinstated Peter three times. The resurrected Christ met Peter in his shame and gave him a fresh start. John 21:4-17
- Peter ended up becoming a leader in the early church and even gave up his life for the message of Jesus. The rest of Peter’s story is proof that Jesus really did rise from the dead and that he can turn around our most shameful failures. John 21:18-19, Acts 2:14,32
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How do you relate to the life of Peter-boldness for God in some ways and failure in other ways?
- Read Luke 22:54-57, 60-62. Why do you think Peter lacked boldness here? What does it mean to weep bitterly?
- Read John 21:4-17. Do you think Peter recognized that Jesus asked him three questions for his three denials? Explain. How has Jesus given you second and third chances in your life?
- Read John 21:18-19 and Acts 2:14,32. What do these verses reveal about Peter’s life? Why do you think he was willing to be bold in Acts 2 but not in Luke 22?
- What holds you back from being bold for Jesus in your life? What will you do to change that?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
How Paul Lost His Religion and Found Jesus
The apostle Paul bears witness that the living Lord Jesus invites us to come to God, not through religious rules and rituals, but by knowing and trusting in him.
Talking Points:
- Paul was successful at living a religious life, but his confidence in his own goodness actually turned him against Jesus. Philippians 3:4-6; Acts 26:9-11
- Paul had a surprise encounter with the resurrected Christ – and in one moment his entire approach to God was turned upside-down. Acts 9:3-5, 19-21; Philippians 3:6-9
- Paul’s story is proof that Jesus really did rise from the dead and that he can be found by anyone who’s willing to admit they’ve got it wrong. Philippians 3:9-11
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How have you seen religion turn people off? What tends to be the attitude of religious people?
- Read Philippians 3:4-6 and Acts 26:9-11. Describe Paul’s attitude in both texts. What was his point?
- Read Acts 9:3-5, 19-21. Why do you think Jesus chose to meet Paul in the way he did? How did this encounter change Paul’s mission?
- Read Philippians 3:6-9. What does Paul mean that he counts everything else as garbage? What’s the “garbage” in your life that has kept you from fully pursuing God?
- Read Philippians 3:9-11. What are the new insights Paul gained from encountering Christ? How will your approach to Jesus change after hearing Paul’s story?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
- Son of David (Mark 12:35-37)
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- God and Math: Exploring Beauty
- God and Math: Embracing Mystery
- Getting Right With God
- 5 Teachings About Jesus in the Early Church
- Three Truths for Every Pursuit of God
- The Imperfect Journey of Doubting Thomas
- Is There Really “No Evidence” for God’s Existence?
- 5 Proofs That Jesus Is God
- Resurrection Evidence: 5 Reasons to Believe that Jesus Really Rose
- The Absurdity of Life Without God
- Can We Believe in the Virgin Birth?
- Who Did Jesus Think He Was?
- How Many Paths Are There to God?
- If God Is Good, Why Is There Evil?
- Can You Be Good if There Is No God?
- 10 Facts that Prove the Supremacy of Christ
- Was Jesus Really God?
- Who Is “the Messiah” in the Bible?
- Make Sure You Get Jesus Right
- Jesus Isn’t Unique
- 5 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus
- Did Jesus Ever Claim to Be God?
- Did Christians Invent the Story of Jesus?
- Why We Believe Jesus Rose from the Dead
- The Person of Jesus
- How Much Info Do You Need to Be Saved?
- How Do I Become a Christian?
- Why Pursue God?
- Does Life Have Purpose Without God?
- How Can I Be Worthy of Heaven?
- 5 Benefits of Trusting Jesus
- Is Jesus the Only Way to God?
