Easter Discussion Guide

Welcome
Happy Easter! This week we are reflecting on the Resurrection, the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus and the central belief of our Christian faith. But first, a quick wrap-up from last month.


Ice Breaker
In our previous sermon series, we learned about the disciples of Jesus, his entourage, his crew. Each of these people taught us something different about what it means to follow Jesus.  

In some ways, your CoreGroup is kind of like your entourage, your companions on this faith journey. For the ice breaker time today, go around to each person in the group and share with them why they matter. What do you see in this person? What gifts do they bring to the group? What role do they play? What have they taught you about following Jesus?

This exercise may seem uncomfortable or awkward at first, but try to push through that. This is an opportunity to look at each other and say, “Hey, I see you, thanks for being a part of my entourage and showing me what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus.”


Opening Prayer
Lord, thank you for this group, for the unique crew of people you have brought together to grow deeper in faith. Be with us today, Lord, as we focus our attention on the Resurrection. Help us to believe in what we cannot see; to make sense of what we cannot comprehend; to experience the hope of new life, even after death. Christ is Risen; He is risen, indeed! Amen.


The Head
All four of the gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) have a slightly different account of the resurrection of Christ. This is the story according to Luke.

Luke 24:1-12
 
Very early in the morning on the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb, bringing the fragrant spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 They didn’t know what to make of this. Suddenly, two men were standing beside them in gleaming bright clothing. 5 The women were frightened and bowed their faces toward the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead 6 He isn’t here, but has been raised. Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Human One must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words.

9 When they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. 11 Their words struck the apostles as nonsense, and they didn’t believe the women. 12 But Peter ran to the tomb. When he bent over to look inside, he saw only the linen cloth. Then he returned home, wondering what had happened.

• Look at the various people named in this scripture. How did each of them respond to the news of the empty tomb? What beliefs or emotions motivated their responses?
• Luke presents the events of the resurrection as confusing and mysterious. Why was it so important for Christ’s followers to remember the words Jesus spoke before his death?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Resurrection as, “the rising of Christ from the dead” or more generally as “the state of one risen from the dead.” Synonyms include: Revival, Rebirth, Renewal, Resurgence, and Revitalization.

• What does the word “Resurrection” mean to you? Which of the synonyms listed above resonates most with your understanding of Resurrection, and why?
• Have you ever witnessed something or somebody rise from the dead? This could be in a literal sense, an example from nature, or something more metaphorical. Describe the experience. How did this situation impact your understanding of resurrection?

The Heart
The Resurrection is one of the most powerful parts of our Christian faith, and yet also one of the most difficult to understand. Sometimes we need to lead with our hearts, not our heads!

• Does the resurrection of Christ seem as confusing and mysterious to you as it did to the first believers? How do you personally make sense of what happened that morning?
• In what ways does the Resurrection of Christ impact your faith today?
• What prevents you from fully experiencing the power of the Resurrection in your life?

The Hands
Spend some time this week meditating on the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17 –

So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived.

Reflect on these questions, either together as a group or on your own:

• What are some old things you can let go of in this season? These could be habits that no longer serve you, relationships that have become toxic, memories of past hurt that still cause you pain, places of guilt, shame, or resentment you carry with you, and so on.
• What are the new things that you long for in your life?
• How would you describe the new creation described in the 2 Corinthians verse above?
• How can your CoreGroup be praying for you as you live into this new creation?

Going Deeper
Try to read through 2 Corinthians 5:17 several times throughout the day. Start with a long, deep, grounding breath. Each time, read the verse slowly, intentionally, and with patience. Ask God to open your heart and mind to a new understanding and appreciation of the meaning of the verse.

• If you feel up for the challenge, try to commit the verse to memory and continue meditating on it through the week. What phrases or images stick with you most?
• If you are a journal writer, spend some time this week writing down your responses to the questions above. What patterns and themes do you notice in your writing?
• If you like to be in nature, spend some time outside this week observing the created world through a Resurrection lens. Where do you see examples of new life after death?

Closing Prayer
Psalm 103:1-5

Let my whole being bless the Lord!
Let everything inside me bless his holy name!

Let my whole being bless the Lord
And never forget all his good deeds:

how God forgives all your sins,
heals all your sickness,

saves your life from the pit,
crowns you with faithful love and compassion,

and satisfies you with plenty of good things
So that your youth is made fresh like an eagle’s.

Amen.



From Pastor Charity:
If you're in a CoreGroup, rally your members and sign up to join us April 16, at 6pm for One CoreGroup One Day. It’s going to be informative and transformative – part worship, part workshop, all fun – and will be the first time that all CoreGroups meet together at once! We'll have food (Taco Tuesday, anyone?), prizes, and more. Plus, if 500 people sign up, I am going to get my first tattoo! Hope to see you there.