The Road to Life (Easter)
The resurrection of Jesus is the single most important event in human history. If Jesus is not raised from the dead, then none of us will be either. Without His resurrection, we’re held captive by sin and death. The resurrection makes real life possible. Jesus paints a simple picture about life in Him: Enter through a narrow gate and walk down the narrow path. Life begins when we find Jesus; life is experienced when we follow Him.
Discussion Questions
Read the resurrection account found in Luke 24:1-12. What details do you notice about Luke’s reporting of events? What do you see as the evidence that points to the resurrection of Jesus?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 and 2 Peter 1:16. Why are eyewitness accounts so important in establishing the plausibility for the resurrection of Jesus?
Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13-14 help us understand how real life is found. In what sense is Jesus a narrow gate? What is the narrow way? How is destruction found in a wide gate and broad way? (For additional insights look at John 10:9-10)
How would you respond to someone who says that relying on Jesus alone to find salvation and life is restrictive and narrow? Why does the idea of “narrow” usually carry a negative connotation?
In John 6:60-61 Jesus acknowledged that his truth might be offensive. Have you ever been “offended” by Jesus? What examples of “hard truths” from Jesus can you think of?
Have you entered the narrow gate (found salvation in Jesus)? Describe that experience. Are you walking a narrow way (what are you doing to follow Jesus as a life-style)?
Day 8: Jesus is Resurrected!
Matthew 28:1-10 (ESV) Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the...
Day 7: Jesus’ Body is Taken Down From the Cross
Mark 15:42-47 (ESV) And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and...
Day 6: Jesus Dies
Mark 15:33-35 (ESV) And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of...