Sermon & Small Group Resources This is the twelfth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is from Easter Day. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Luke 24:36-49 DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 24:36-49 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format. CONNECT: In light of Godʼs grace, what one area of your life needs some further ʻre-orderingʼ? WARM-UP Whatʼs your earliest memory of celebrating Easter? Did you do anything differently this year? Has there been a significant moment when you came to understand Jesusʼ death and/or resurrection? Read Luke 23:32-49 According to the people watching, who did they think Jesus had claimed to be? Why do you think they had connected the potential to be the Messiah with the necessity for him to save himself? What was crucifixion like? Other than an instrument of execution, what was the purpose of it? Why was the idea that the Messiah would be crucified so scandalous? What was Jesusʼ promise to one of the thieves? How does this point to Jesusʼ purpose on the cross? What happens at noon? What is significant about Jesusʼ words and what happens in the temple? What does the centurion do? What do you think caused him to praise God at this point? What is the best response we can make to Jesusʼ death? How can you praise him daily for this? How does Jesusʼ death transform how you approach one of your frontlines? Read Luke 24:36-49 How does Jesus greet the disciples? Why do you think they were frightened? How would you respond? What are the varied ways in which Jesusʼ death and resurrection bring us peace? Was Jesusʼ resurrection physical? How does our future get bundled up with Jesusʼ resurrection? Who were the first witnesses to the resurrection? Why wouldnʼt some of the disciples believe them? 15. Does Jesusʼ resurrection sound like nonsense to people today? Whatʼs a helpful way to discuss it? If Jesus is alive, what does that mean for the capacity for relationship with him? How do you enjoy this? In what way are we also witnesses? How does Jesusʼ resurrection shape our lifeʼs purpose? What is something that youʼre finding challenging? How does Jesusʼ resurrection transform this? What did Jesus tell the disciples to wait for? How are we also recipients of this power? APPLY: In light of Jesusʼ resurrection: how can you grow more in his presence, power, or purpose? PRAYER Almighty Lord, thank you for Jesusʼ death and resurrection, along with the certainty that Jesus brings. Please help me – for your glory – to live a life transformed by Jesusʼ presence, power, and purpose. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who is someone you think would be unlikely to come to faith? Pray & invite them to Alpha (you might be surprised at their response!). Click here for more information. Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen (Talk): “A Thief Welcomed” by William Taylor Listen (Talk): “A Tomb Vacated” by William Taylor Listen (Oratorio): “St Johnʼs Passion” by Bach Read (Book): “The King and the Cross” by Tim Keller Read (Article): “How a Cancer Diagnosis Makes Jesusʼ Death and Resurrection Mean More” Read (Article): “The Cry of the Cross” by Simon Camilleri SERIES Resources: Resource: Series overview booklet Scripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9CO Book: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful) Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright Resource: St Bartʼs Library Resources for Current Series Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together. Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray High School:
