CONNECT: What is one priority in your life that is shaped by the certainty of future physical resurrection?

WARM-UP

1. What aspect of the resurrection of the dead do you find most challenging to grasp?
2. What aspect of the resurrection of the dead do you find most exciting?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-44

1. What are the questions that Paul raises? Which of these does he focus his answers on?
2. What analogy does Paul use to explain the type of resurrection that awaits us? What does it mean?
3. How is it clear that our resurrection is a physical one? How is this different from just a dead person coming alive? How do you long to be made new?
4. What are the contrasts between our ‘former self’ and ‘resurrected self’ in verses 42-44? Can you explain what these mean? What in particular does it mean to be ‘imperishable’?
5. What does Paul mean by ‘natural body’ and ‘spiritual body’? Why is this critical to understand?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:45-50

1. What contrast is Paul making in these verses between our two family trees?
2. What is the fruit (or inheritance) of our earthly heritage? How is that evident today?
3. If we are in Jesus, what is the inheritance that is promised through him?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

1. What did some of the Corinthians mistakingly believe about ‘the end’? How is it evident that the end has not actually arrived yet? How will we know?
2. When will we be transformed with new bodies? How long will this take to happen?
3. Who gives us the victory over sin and death? How has Jesus made this possible?
4. What do you think it looks like to stand firm in these things? But also more generally?
5. What do you think it looks like to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord (on all of your
6. frontlines)? Do you ever feel like your work is in vain? How does our promised future change this?

APPLY:  How can you give yourself ‘more fully’ to the work of the Lord (on one of your frontlines) this week?

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On Your Frontline This Week: Pray for the people on your frontline. Who might be one person you could invite along to Alpha?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “What kind of body?” By William Taylor
• AUDIO: “Easter Hope” by Rico Tice
• ARTICLE: Jeff Bezos Invests Millions in hope of Life Forever
• CHAPTER: from “what Christians Believe” by Michael Bird: “Believing in Salvation, Waiting for God’s New World.”
• BOOK: “Raise Forever” by Rory Shiner
• BOOK: “Resurrection” by N T Wright
• ARTICLE: “Did Jesus rise from the dead” by John Dickson
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series Overview Published by St Bart’s
• Website: “First Corinthians” by the Bible Project
• Course: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course)

For Families:

• VIDEO (for Kids): God’s Story: After the Tomb