
LifeGroup Notes
OPEN
As you open up today, consider this; What are some things in life you cannot hear or experience
enough? Why?
What jumped out at you from the message this week? What led you to really think or even better, to change your actions?
What jumped out at you from the video?
INTRODUCTION
What do we have if we don’t have the resurrection?
What is the resurrection to us as believers?
READ
Read Matthew 28:1-9
1 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. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
What were Mary and Martha doing at the tomb of Jesus?
As they returned to the tomb things are not how they left them. What is the situation?
Where were the soldiers guarding Jesus’ tomb?
The women were also afraid, how do we know this?
What are you afraid of that may inhibit your obedience to God?
How many times did Jesus tell His disciples about his death burial and resurrection?
How should the resurrection of Jesus affect the way we live?
Where does Jesus tell the women to meet Him?
Why is this significant?
When the women left, how were they acting?
How can we grow in our joy and fear of the Lord?
What can the power of the resurrection do for you?
How can we use this passage to equip us as followers of Jesus?
LET’S PRAY
Consider the following questions as you pray together as a LifeGroup:
1. Will you embrace the power of the resurrection?
2. Will you live by the power of the resurrection?
3. When’s the last time that you shared about the power of the resurrection?
4. If the resurrection is true, if the resurrection is powerful, then we need to share that power with others.Will you share the power of the resurrection with those that need it?
BIG IDEA
The depth of Christ’s humiliation followed by the emptiness of the tomb reminds us of the fullness of God’s power and the unstoppable nature of His plans. Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection is evidence enough to see God’s unflinching devotion to His glory and our good. So we believe, and it’s God’s faithful character that gives our faith its power. The object, not the caliber, of our faith casts aside our fears. Moments before this encounter with the angel, the women had been heading to the tomb expecting to anoint a dead body and continue their grieving process. But their grief was short-circuited. The Lord was living again and moving. In an instant, their sorrow had turned into great joy.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
How will you respond in faith to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
What are some ways your group can help one another turn your fears into belief, joy, and obedience because of Jesus’ empty tomb?
What are some opportunities you have this week to address the fear of death in the world with the good news of our resurrected Savior, and how will you do so?