CONNECT:  Who can you invite to our Good Friday and Easter Day services? How will you do it?

WARM-UP  Question  

1. As our celebrations of Easter this year looked a little different, what changed for you? What did you miss most? What gave you a greater appreciation of Jesus’ death and resurrection?
2. What is it about Easter that most gives you a certainty even amidst such uncertain times?

READ Matthew 27:27-44

1. What most stands out for you in this account? Is there anything that you haven’t noticed before?
2. How do verses 27-29 point to Jesus’ ultimate purpose? How has it been fulfilled?
3. How does Jesus differ to every other king in existence? What makes him the ultimate king?
4. What was the irony in the mocking of Jesus, “he saved others, but he can’t save himself...”? Have you ever witnessed people mocking Jesus? Do you think we can ever mock Jesus with our lives?

READ Matthew 27:45-55

1. What does Jesus cry out when he dies? What is the significance of what this means?
2. What is significant about darkness coming over the land? How about the curtain being torn in two?
3. As Matthew reports people being raised to life, what is this all about? What is the effect of Jesus’ death that is being pointed to in this extraordinary event?
4. What did the Centurion realise about Jesus? Do you have confidence about who Jesus is? If you’re not sure, what could be a ‘next step’ to help you to get to know Jesus better?

READ Matthew 28:1-10

1. What is the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection that gives you a certainty that it was a real event?
2. If Jesus had only died and not risen, would that be sufficient? Why or why not?
3. How is Jesus’ resurrection also the defeat of death and the beginning of life for us? Whilst we still experience the lingering effects of death, when will it be completely done away with?
4. What’s significant about the declaration of the messenger in verses 5-7? Why were the women afraid?
5. Because Jesus has risen from the dead, how does that help us to ‘not be afraid’ right now?
6. The women go and tell all they had seen. How is this a great model for us? Who can you tell this week?

APPLY: Who is one person this week with whom you can share how you celebrated Easter?

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On Your Frontline This Week:  Who on your frontline can you share the Good News of Easter with this week?

For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at home

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: Remember Me... by William Taylor
• AUDIO: Tom Wright on COVID-19, isolation, and prayer
• AUDIO: John Lennox on where to find God amidst crisis
• AUDIO: John Dickson on debunking Easter myths
• ARTICLE: From RZIM on a biblical and historical view of COVID-19
• ARTICLE: “9 Ways to Love your Neighbour During this Pandemic” by Justin Earley

Other Helpful Resources (For Series):  

• BOOK: “The Parables of Jesus” by William Barclay.
• STUDY GUIDE: Download our Study Guide on Matthew
• BOOK: “Matthew: A Great Light Dawns”
• ONLINE: Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew (Fuller)
• VIDEO: The Bible Project, Matthew Overview

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