CONNECT: In light of Godʼs grace, what one area of your life needs some further ʻre-orderingʼ?

WARM-UP

1. Whatʼs your earliest memory of celebrating Easter? Did you do anything differently this year?
2. Has there been a significant moment when you came to understand Jesusʼ death and/or resurrection?

Read Luke 23:32-49

1. According to the people watching, who did they think Jesus had claimed to be? Why do you think they had connected the potential to be the Messiah with the necessity for him to save himself?
2. What was crucifixion like? Other than an instrument of execution, what was the purpose of it?
3. Why was the idea that the Messiah would be crucified so scandalous?
4. What was Jesusʼ promise to one of the thieves? How does this point to Jesusʼ purpose on the cross?
5. What happens at noon? What is significant about Jesusʼ words and what happens in the temple?
6. What does the centurion do? What do you think caused him to praise God at this point?
7. What is the best response we can make to Jesusʼ death? How can you praise him daily for this?
8. How does Jesusʼ death transform how you approach one of your frontlines?

Read Luke 24:36-49

1. How does Jesus greet the disciples? Why do you think they were frightened? How would you respond?
2. What are the varied ways in which Jesusʼ death and resurrection bring us peace?
3. Was Jesusʼ resurrection physical? How does our future get bundled up with Jesusʼ resurrection?
4. Who were the first witnesses to the resurrection? Why wouldnʼt some of the disciples believe them? 15. Does Jesusʼ resurrection sound like nonsense to people today? Whatʼs a helpful way to discuss it?
5. If Jesus is alive, what does that mean for the capacity for relationship with him? How do you enjoy this?
6. In what way are we also witnesses? How does Jesusʼ resurrection shape our lifeʼs purpose?
7. What is something that youʼre finding challenging? How does Jesusʼ resurrection transform this?
8. What did Jesus tell the disciples to wait for? How are we also recipients of this power?

APPLY: In light of Jesusʼ resurrection: how can you grow more in his presence, power, or purpose?

On Your Frontline This Week: Who is someone you think would be unlikely to come to faith? Pray & invite them to Alpha (you might be surprised at their response!). Click here for more information.

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• Listen (Talk): “A Thief Welcomed” by William Taylor
• Listen (Talk): “A Tomb Vacated” by William Taylor
• Listen (Oratorio): “St Johnʼs Passion” by Bach
• Read (Book): “The King and the Cross” by Tim Keller
• Read (Article): “How a Cancer Diagnosis Makes Jesusʼ Death and Resurrection Mean More”
• Read (Article): “The Cry of the Cross” by Simon Camilleri

SERIES Resources:

• Resource: Series overview booklet
• Scripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9CO
• Book: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)
• Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright
• Resource: St Bartʼs Library Resources for Current Series