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READ This week, as we celebrate Easter, we are focusing on Christ’s resurrection and the hope that it gives those who trust in Him. Read First Corinthians 15:1-‐11. Towards the end of the letter of First Corinthians, Paul reminds the Corinthians about the hope that they have because of the death and resurrection of Christ. He reminds them that Christ has died for their sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day. He also reminds them that Christ’s death and resurrection had been foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures. You can see the death and resurrection of Christ prophesied in places like Isaiah 52:13-‐53:12; Zechariah 12:10; and Psalm 16:8-‐11. Jesus’ resurrection was not some secret event. Jesus appeared to the disciples – over 500 of them at one time! As a matter of fact, many of them were still alive when Paul was writing this letter. Paul’s point here is that you can check out the facts for yourself. Jesus appeared to eyewitnesses after His resurrection that verified He did in fact rise from the dead. Paul stresses that these truths, the death and resurrection of Christ, are of utmost importance. If we lose this, we have lost everything.
Read First Corinthians 15:12-‐19. Apparently, some people in Corinth were saying that Christians would not rise from the dead. Paul here says that Christ’s resurrection guarantees the resurrection of all those who believe in Jesus. He puts this in the strongest possible terms. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then Christianity is useless (15:17). If we do not rise from the dead in Christ, then we are hopeless (15:19). Read First Corinthians 15:20-‐28. But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead, and since Christ has been raised from the dead, all who trust in Christ will also rise from the dead with Him. Paul says that as death came through Adam, so resurrection and life now come through Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that since we are all born in Adam, we are all born in sin, rebels against God, and therefore, we are under His wrath (Rom. 5:12ff.). But those of us who trust in Christ for salvation are no longer in Adam, but in Christ. Therefore, we will be made alive with Him, not only our spirits, but also our bodies. Verses 24-‐28 show that Christ is the great King who has conquered every enemy, even death itself. Even though it looks like death is still reigning now, King Jesus has defeated death through His death and resurrection. One day, He will we will see that even death itself is crushed under His feet, and we will reign with Him (Rev. 3:21). Questions: The resurrection of Jesus is only good news for those who are in Christ, for those who have trusted in Him as their Lord and Savior. For everyone else, it is really bad news, because it means that Jesus is coming again to judge them (Acts 17:30-‐31). Have you trusted in the death and resurrection of Jesus as the payment for your sins? How does your hope in the resurrection help you face times of uncertainty, trials, sickness, and even death? If Jesus’ death and resurrection are the only hope for salvation, what does that mean for those who have never heard the gospel? What does that mean in terms of our responsibility to make disciples of all nations? How should the resurrection of Christ and our future resurrection with Him affect our lives on a daily basis (Hint: Read 1 Cor. 15:58)? Bottom Line: The death and resurrection of Christ is our only hope.
PRAY This week we are praying for Mandi and Ashley, two Brook Hills’ members who are serving in East Asia. Mandi and Ashley live in a city where there are very few evangelical Christians. Many there are Muslim. It is difficult to reach out to others here because in this community jobs are very important. People are hesitant to let their guard down and are scared become Christians themselves. If they do, then they are unable to participate in the government organization that
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helps them find better jobs, and their work situations are everything to them. Please pray that the people there would release their fears and be open to the gospel. Pray that they will see that Christ is more important and fulfilling
SING This week our family worship song is ‘O Happy Day’ written by Tim Hughes. ‘O Happy Day’ is a song of celebration of our Risen Savior. The song begins, “The greatest day in history. Death is beaten. You have rescued me. Sing it out. Jesus is alive”. We can’t be reminded of the gospel enough. As Christians it is our identity. It is important that we come together corporately and proclaim the Good News so that we can affirm and encourage one another in Christ. His death and resurrection is our only hope. Because of what was done on the cross, we have freedom in Him. Our sins have been washed away; therefore we will never be the same. This is something to sing about!
MEMORIZE 1 Corinthians 15:3-‐4: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
SUGGESTIONS These suggestions were created by the age-‐group ministry leaders as a way to help parents better communicate the biblical truths discussed in the Family Worship Guide. These suggestions are intended to help parents facilitate God-‐centered discussions with their children. Parents should prayerfully use these suggestions, and any other means necessary, to help their children discover the truths of God’s word and worship Him together.
Preschool
• Before you begin: print photos of an Easter lily bulb and Easter lily, or you can purchase a bulb and flower from the store. • Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-‐4. • Say to your preschooler: This is an Easter lily. We like to use it this time of year to decorate for Easter. The lily reminds
us of Jesus. • Now show your preschooler the lily bulb. Tell your child that you usually don’t see the bulb because it is buried in the
dirt. However, this is what the lily flower grows from. If we don’t have a lily bulb, we can’t have a lily flower. This bulb looks dead, doesn’t it? It has to be buried to grow into a lily. In a few days it will come to life and this bulb becomes the beautiful lily.
• The bulb and lily flower can remind us of Jesus. Jesus had to die on a cross to save us from our sins (bad choices). He had to be buried in a tomb, but there is good news! Jesus did not stay dead. Jesus rose from the dead, and this is the good news! God’s plans are ALWAYS good plans.
• Questions: What did Jesus say He would do? Did Jesus rise from the dead? Yes, Jesus always does what He says He will do! God loves us so much He sent his only son, Jesus, from heaven to earth to die on a cross. When we believe in Jesus and turn away from our sin (bad choices) He saves us.
• Conclude by re-‐reading 1 Corinthians 15:3-‐4.
Children • Re-‐read 1 Corinthians 15: 3-‐4. • Object Lesson: follow the instructions below after dinner the evening before Easter. You will need:
o 1 cup whole pecans o 1 tsp vinegar o 3 egg whites o pinch salt o 1 cup sugar o zip-‐top bag o wooden spoon o tape o a Bible
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important! Don't wait until you're halfway through the recipe. • Place pecans in zip-‐top bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that
after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-‐3.
• Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He
was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-‐30. • Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-‐11. • Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents
the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27. • So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus
died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16. • Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the
purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-‐3. • Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-‐covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound of cookie dough
represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-‐60. • Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven
door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-‐66. • Now head to bed! Talk about how your children may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers
were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22. • On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies
are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-‐9. Students
• As a family read 1 Corinthians 15:3-‐4. • The idea of something being empty is almost always a bad thing, but in this instance we, as Christ-‐followers, celebrate
something that was found empty. • As a family, make a list of things that frustrate you when they’re empty (i.e. gas tank, gift card, tummy). • As Christians, why is it important that Christ’s tomb was found empty? • Read Mark 8:31. • What did Jesus’ resurrection prove to all that had been following Him? • Close by reading Romans 6:9. How might this passage encourage those that follow after Christ? What does this passage
communicate about Christ’s power and authority? • Pray that Christ would remind us of the hope we have because of His death and resurrection. Thank the Lord for His gift
of grace in kindness that he has shown us through Christ Jesus.