| The sermon this weekend, April 17th & 18th will be on Luke 24:36-53. The questions below are to be used for your small group meeting that relates to this sermon.
1) How is God changing your life?
Observe
2) What are Jesus’ first words to the disciples? What would your first words be to your friends who deserted you in your time of need?
3) What does Jesus do to emphasize that he has physically risen from the dead?
4) When Jesus says “This is what is written” (v46) he is saying, “This was God’s plan all along.” What three aspects of God’s plan does he identify?
5) What will the disciples need for the task that Jesus has given them?
Reflect
6) In the opening of his gospel, Luke wrote: “I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you . . .” (Luke 1:3). Do the accounts of the resurrection in the last chapters of Luke seem more like mythology or more like historical accounts? Support your opinion from the text.
7) Read 1 Corinthians 15: 20-24, 35-41. What does this passage teach about the resurrection of believers and the nature of their bodies?
8) Who do you know that could use the good news that God will give us new bodies to enjoy in his new creation, not just the ones with which we die? How is this truth good news to you, personally?
9) Different segments of society have different answers for the question: “What is the purpose of life?” What are some of the answers that our culture has to this question? Consider different perspectives like: wealthy suburbanite, Darwinian evolutionist, political activist, university professor, environmentalist, Christian fundamentalist, hedge fund manager, and others.
10) What is the purpose that Jesus gives his followers in this passage?
11) Jesus tells his disciples to wait for “power from on high” (v. 49). How have you experienced or witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit as you have sought to carry out the mission of declaring and demonstrating the love of Christ?
Act
12) What is your next step in following Jesus? If you haven’t begun following Jesus, is it time? If you are a follower of Jesus, how can you take steps to live according to the purpose he has given you?
13) Who could you help to take their next step in following Jesus? Is there someone you know who needs to hear the good news that everything will be healed and restored in God’s new creation? Is there anyone who needs to hear that forgiveness is freely offered through Jesus?
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