Luke 24
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This is the tenth sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom and also our message for Easter Day. This sermon is ‘Risen King’.
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
CONNECT: How can you both demonstrate and tell others about the peace that Jesus brings on your frontlines this week?
WARM-UP
- Did you do anything different to celebrate Easter this year? How was it?
- What was most significant, or helpful, in your celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection this year?
READ Luke 23:26-49
- How does verse 34 point to Jesus’ ultimate purpose? How has it been fulfilled?
- What was the irony in the mocking of Jesus, “he saved others, let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah the Chosen One”? Do you think we can ever mock Jesus with our lives?
- How do the responses of the two criminals hanging alongside Jesus contrast? What is amazing about the insight that the criminal shows about the nature of Jesus’ Kingdom?
- What is significant about darkness coming over the land? How about the curtain being torn in two?
- All throughout the Gospel of Luke people have been confused about who Jesus is. Do you have confidence about who Jesus is? What is your response to this?
READ Luke 24:1-12
- Other than Jesus’ resurrection, what is the most outrageous claim you have ever heard?
- What is the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection? (Try to brainstorm as a group.)
- How is Jesus’ resurrection the defeat of death and the beginning of life? When will death be destroyed?
- What’s significant about the declaration of the messengers in verses 5-7? Why do you you think the women were afraid? Why did Jesus’ words then make sense?
- How does Jesus’ resurrection secure our future? As we trust in Jesus, what sort of future do we have?
- How does Jesus’ resurrection change how you live today? In priorities, trouble, and joy?
- The disciples were not “poised on the brink of belief”, but utterly sceptical. It took some of them time to believe. What changed their hearts and minds? Who do you know that is sceptical? How can you invite them to ‘come and see’?
- The women go and tell all they had seen. How is this a great model for us? Who can you tell this week?
APPLY: What is something about your Easter that you could share with someone on your frontline this week? Who could you invite to Alpha?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the Good News of Easter. Thank you for your phenomenal love poured out for us, and for your defeat of sin and death. Help us to never take the Gospel for granted but to revel in it, proclaim it, and be transformed and renewed in it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Frontline This Week: Who on your frontline could you invite to Alpha?
Listen, Watch, and Read:
- “The Evidence of Resurrection” by Dick Lucas
- “The Resurrection” by Alistair Begg
- “Lifting the Lid on Easter” by Centre for Public Christianity
- AUDIO: Remember Me… by William Taylor
- AUDIO: John Lennox on where to find God amidst crisis
- AUDIO: John Dickson on debunking Easter myths
Series Resources:
Some helpful resources for our Series:
- OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions:
https://bit.ly/39w5Ggk - FOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3Mf
- WEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJ
- BOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme Goldsworthy
- BOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom Wright
- Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
https://bit.ly/3pGDVH7 (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)
