1. Share a childhood memory of Easter.  What is one of your favorite traditions of this season?

This question is designed to be light and fun to get the conversation started.  

2. Read Luke 24:1-12 together as a group. 

Every so often someone claims to have found evidence of the tomb of Jesus or the bones of Jesus. Each claim is found to be untrue, while the testimony of the angels is proved true over and over again: He is not here.

Even the beginning of the resurrection account refutes many of the false alternative theories suggested by some.

• The wrong tomb theory is answered by Luke 23:55; the women knew exactly which tomb Jesus was buried in.
• The wishful thinking theory is answered by Luke 24:4 and 24:11, which note the surprise of the women and the disciples of the news of Jesus’ resurrection.
• The animals-ate-the-body theory is answered by the presence of the stone (Luke 24:2).
• The swoon theory is answered by the presence of the stone (Luke 24:2).
• The grave robber theory is answered by the presence of the Roman guard and seal (Matthew 27:62-66).

3. What do you think is the significance of the women being the first to hear of the resurrection?  How did the others respond to them?  

In the haste to bury Jesus before the sabbath, it is possible the body was not fully prepared.  The women may have been responsible to ensure this was finished.   

Consider God’s divine care to allow the women to be the first witnesses, especially since women were not considered valid witnesses in the courts of the day.  The others considered these words as leros - “nonsense.”  Maybe they struggled to believe the validity of the women’s story.  Certainly, if these biblical authors were making up this story and wanted people to believe it as true, they would not have chosen women as the first eye witnesses.  

4. How do the women respond to the “two men?”  What does this suggest about who these men were?  

In fright, or fear, they bowed down their faces to the ground.  The parallel passage in John 20:12 said that these men were angels.  The dominant response to angels in the Old and New Testaments was fear and falling prostrate with faces to the ground.  This is why they often say, “Don't be afraid”.  It is noteworthy that the angels evoke the same response when they announce Jesus’ coming (to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds).

5. Put yourself in the shoes of these men and women.  If Jesus really did rise from the dead, what implications are there for their understanding of Jesus and for their own lives, personally?   

The implications of Jesus’ resurrection:

• Jesus’ words and actions were validated
• The fulfillment of Old Testament promises (Is. 53:1-12, Hosea 6:1-2, Ps. 16:10)
• HOPE - everything they had given their lives for in Jesus has been found credible  
• It restored their sense of purpose, their beliefs about God, and their mission to follow Jesus

Consider that many religions are fueled by the death of their leader.  The blood of martyrs often accelerates a cause.  However, these followers were not empowered when they thought Jesus was dead.  They went into hiding, fearing for their lives.  The movement, apart from the resurrection of their leader, would have died with Him at the cross. Jesus did not bring a cause, a revolution or a self-help sales pitch.  He claimed to be God.  Without the resurrection, the story has no power and therefore no truth.

Quotes from Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi:

“Truth silences falsehood.”

 “After studying the historical origins of the Christian faith, I came to these conclusions: that Jesus died on the cross is as certain as anything historical can be; that he rose from the dead is by far the best explanation of the events surrounding his death; and that Jesus claimed to be God is the best explanation for the immediate Christian proclamation of Jesus’ deity. Putting it all together: Jesus claimed to be God, and he proved it by rising from the dead.”

5. Where have you personally seen Christians who believe Jesus in the depths of their being?  What have you observed about how their beliefs impact how they live?   

“Death is nothing to be feared. Jesus has conquered it, and we are in him. His resurrection has been the locus of Christian confidence from the inception of the church.”

     ― Nabeel Qureshi

6.  “I do believe.  Help me overcome my unbelief” - Mark 9:24.  We all have places where we believe, but also struggle to believe.  Where in your life right now do you struggle to believe and follow Jesus? What would your life look like if you believed him more?   

Keep the focus on the present.  This isn’t about where people struggled to believe in the past.  This is about where we are struggling to believe in the present.  Allow some extra space (silence, if need be) to encourage people to share.  This is not a time to present solutions or give advice.  Simply listen to each other, and affirm the steps of faith to share.  

7. Take some time individually in prayer.  If helpful, play this song as you talk with God: Resurrecting.  Ask Him to reveal to you areas in your life where you are putting other things in His place.  Spend some time in reflection and repentance as you open to God.

8. Those who feel comfortable, share what God revealed during this time.  How did he convict you?  How did he encourage or comfort you?  What guidance or direction did he offer?

As the Spirit leads, spend some time praying for each other in light of the specific situations that were shared.  Spend some time asking God how to pray, and offer what you sense him leading you to.