Introduction and Prayer

• When we take communion, what should we be reflecting upon?

• What is your favorite part of Easter?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:17

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

• How do you feel about what Paul is writing here?

• How do you think non-believers feel about Christians and their beliefs?

Read John 19:35

This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.

• What is the value of an eyewitness account?

• If there are no eyewitnesses, how does that impact

• A martyr is someone who remained true to their testimony. Have you ever had to stand up for your beliefs in a not-so-friendly environment?

Read John 20:1

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

• Why do you think Mary went to the tomb early ?

• Where are the disciples at this time?

• In a culture dominated by men, why did God have a woman be the first to share the Good News about Jesus?

• What would you think if you went to the gravesite of your loved one and the dirt was moved and the casket opened?

Read John 20:2

2She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

• Why is Mary’s first response to think this is a crime scene?

• How do you think you would have responded in this moment?

• Why do you think that God used a woman to be the first person to ever share the Gospel?

Read John 20:3-10

3Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—9for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10Then they went home.

• This is the first recorded interaction we have of Peter since he denied Jesus. How do you think Peter feels at this moment?

• Describe how we feel when we fail in following God.

• What do you think was going through Peter’s head when he saw the neatly folded burial wrappings and head cloth? Do you think he was hoping for a miracle?

• Why did the disciples have such a difficult time believing that Jesus would rise again?

Read John 20:11-13

11Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13“Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

• Why was Mary crying?

• Why does Mary not seem surprised by the two angels?

• Why does Mary still refer to Jesus as Lord? Does she still believe Jesus was the Messiah?

• Why does Mary still think that Jesus is dead even though she was speaking to angels?

Think on This…

How does the fact that Jesus came out of the tomb for you impact what you will do today/tomorrow?