Connect How can you make praise of Jesus a daily part of your life?

Warm-Up

1. What is the most extraordinary claim that you’ve ever heard (not including Jesus’ resurrection)?
2. Do you think we ever lose sight of just how extraordinary the claims of (and about) Jesus are?
3. What is the danger of losing sight of how extraordinary Jesus’ death and resurrection are?

Read Matthew 27:45-56

4. Which Easter services were you able to participate in? Did any particular part stand out for you?
5. What did Jesus cry out from the cross? What is the significance of this? Is it more than a cry of anguish?
6. Why did some people think that Jesus was crying out for Elijah? Who was really being rescued?
7. What happened in the temple when Jesus died? What was the significance of this?
8. How does Jesus’ death open up a way for forgiveness and reconciliation with God?
9. If a friend asked you, ‘was it really necessary for Jesus to die and be raised?’, what would you say?
10. What did the Centurion declare? What do you think he meant by this?
11. Who was present at the cross? Who was absent? Who of these also go to the tomb?

Read Matthew 28:1-15

12. What stands out for you in Matthew’s account of Jesus’ resurrection? Who were the eyewitnesses?
13. As you think about Jesus’ resurrection, do you have a sense of wonder? Have you ever? What would help you to marvel more about how extraordinary Jesus’ resurrection really is?
14. How is it clear that the claim of Jesus’ resurrection was physical and not merely metaphorical?
15. What sort of evidence do we have to give us confidence that Jesus was really raised from the dead?
16. Why does Jesus’ resurrection really matter? What did the resurrection really accomplish? (Try to consider the implications in regard to his death and also the implication with regard to our future.)
17. What day of the week did Mary and Mary go to the tomb? Is there anything significant about this?
18. How does Jesus’ resurrection guarantee the future of those who have faith in him? What sort of future awaits Jesus’ followers? What sort of future is in store for all of creation?
19. Because Jesus’ resurrection was physical, what does this say about our future and the future of the world?
20. How is the Good News that Jesus is alive reflected in your praise and proclamation of him?

Apply What is one thing you can do this week to instil a greater sense of wonder about Jesus’ resurrection? How might this be reflected more-and-more in praise and proclamation of the Good News that Jesus is King?

On Your Front Line this Week

How does Jesus' resurrection reshape your hope and priorities on your frontline?

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen: “Here is Not Here, He is Risen” by Charlie Skrine: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/55873/audio/ 
• Listen: “Hope in the risen King” by Stephen Nichols: https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=225105&show_file=238583 
• Listen: “Easter Sermon” by Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/easter-sermon/ 
• Listen: “NT Wright responds on women and the resurrection” by Ask NT Wright Anything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyyR5S4lMgg 
• Read: “The Steep Price of Pilate’s Fame” by Esau McCaulley: https://christianitytoday.com/ct/2024/march-web-only/steep-price-of-pilates-fame-easter-ambition
• Watch: “Jesus through the eyes of Witnesses” by Rebecca McLaughlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UfjPkC6KcQ 
• Read (for kids): “The Topsy Turvy King” by Hannah Green & Alison Brewis: https://koorong.com/product/the-topsy-turvy-king-alison-brewis-hannah-green_9781914966675 

Series Resources

• Website: All of the resources from our series are available (including from St Bart’s Kids) at: https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/responding-to-jesus 
• Watch: “Matthew’s Gospel” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/matthew/ 
• Read: “The Message of Matthew” by Micheal Green: https://koorong.com/product/the-message-of-matthew-2020-bible-speaks-today_9781789741445