Sunday School Lesson April 9, 2023

Subject: Jesus Rose Again to Give Me Life

The Point: Jesus’s resurrection offers eternal life for me.

Scriptures: John 20:1-2, 11-18

Study The Bible: John 20:1-2

1). The tomb in which Jesus was buried was found empty.

1. On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
2. So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

Lasting truths from: John 20:1-2                                   

*  Mary Magdalen approached the tomb expecting to find Jesus’s body—instead Jesus’s promises were fulfilled.

* The empty tomb raised alarms to Mary and the disciples.

* The disciples and Mary Magdalene investigated the reason for the empty tomb, as we should as well.

2). Jesus revealed Himself as alive.

John 20:11-16

11. But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb.
12. She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.
13. They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”
14. Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.
15. “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”
16. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” – which means “Teacher.”

Lasting truths from: John 20:11-16

*  Our faith is not only in an empty tomb but a risen Savior.

* Jesus met Mary Magdalene, even in her doubt. He does the same for us.

* Our eyes need to be opened to the resurrected Jesus.

3). The message of the resurrected Christ is to be shared with others.

John 20:17-18

17. “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
18. Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her.

Lasting truth from: John 20:17-18

* We must speak a witness to Christ out of a first-hand encounter with Him.

*  Christ’s Word and our testimony of salvation are powerful tools in a witnessing encounter.

* We should not delay in telling the good news to others who need it.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:

1. What are some of the ways that people cope, good or bad, with the fear of death?
2. How does Jesus’s resurrection help us cope with death?
3. Why do you think Christians are hesitant to share the news of Jesus’s resurrection to those living in the shadow of death?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”