April 16, 2017 Easter Day Acts 10:34 43 Ps. 118:1 2, 14 24 Col. 3:1 4 John 20:1 18 Matt. 28:1 10 Goal for the Session Discovering the empty tomb with the women, adults will plan how to make the resurrection known to others. n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION Focus on Matthew 28:1 10 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective by Richard S. Dietrich The story focuses on a series of messages. The angel tells the women to tell the disciples, and they run to tell them. They run into Jesus, who tells them again: Tell my brothers ; then they run off again with their news. The story also focuses on the messengers, on what the women see the angel and the empty tomb and Jesus himself and on how the women feel. Again, at the angel s behest they run to tell the disciples, quickly with fear and great joy (v. 8). Then they run into Jesus, who tells them a second time, Do not be afraid, for he is going before them into Galilee. If the women hear and heed him, what is left? What is left when their fears are gone? Great joy! WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective by D. Cameron Murchison Matthew s core theological point is that there is no merely naturalistic way of speaking of the resurrection. This is not about human capacities or possibilities. It is wholly about God s capacity and determination. If goodness and mercy are to withstand the onslaught of religiously based self-righteousness and control, it is not because good people just keep trying hard. If death as a final conclusion to even the most finely lived human life is to be transcended, it is not because such goodness just naturally lives on. It is, rather, because God acts at that boundary of life we call death and does something altogether new. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective by Martin B. Copenhaver When the angel says, Do not be afraid, or when Jesus says, Fear not, it is not assurance that nothing can go wrong, because often things do go wrong. It is not assurance that everything turns out for the best, because, if we are honest about it, it seldom does. Rather, it is assurance that, whatever may happen to us, whatever a day may hold, God has the power to strengthen us and uphold us; that whatever we must face, we do not face it alone; that nothing we encounter is stronger than God s love; that ultimately God gets the last word; that in the end and sometimes even before the end God s love is triumphant. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective by Clayton J. Schmit This story s vivid imagery brings us wonder, uncertainty, and joy. When we hear of the earthquake, we resonate with the fear of women and the guards. When we see the brilliant angel descending from heaven and effortlessly rolling the sealed stone away, we are caught up in wonder at what the hand of God can do. When we hear the announcement of the angel, it sparks the hope in us that the inconceivable is somehow possible and plausible. Imagining the suddenness of Jesus appearance and hearing his words of encouragement inspire the joy that accompanies fulfilled hope. 1
FOCUS SCRIPTURE Matthew 28:1 10 Focus on Your Teaching All adults have experienced death in their lives, and they know that death will eventually take every person. They also have experienced fears that are stirred by the complex realities they face on a daily basis. Our days are marked both literally and figuratively by darkness and light. Many adults search for hope in the face of death and a word of comfort in the face of fear. Matthew s story of Jesus resurrection will bring these life-and-death issues into focus and cause adults to witness a powerful scene of hope, a scene they will want to make known to others. YOU WILL NEED newsprint or board markers Bibles copies of Resource Sheet 1 candle and lighter copies of Resource Sheet 1 for April 23, 2017 For Responding option 1: newsprint or board, marker option 2: hymnals or songbooks option 3: Resource Sheet 2, strips of heavy card stock, colored markers, single hole punch, strands of 1/4 inch ribbon The Easter Vigil is an ancient liturgical rite still celebrated by some churches today. The readings for Easter Vigil recount the entire salvation story as the service moves from darkness to light. Saving God, calm my fears and help me to teach this week in the sure and certain hope that you have conquered death. Amen. n LEADING THE SESSION GATHERING Before the session, write the following phrases on newsprint or the board: P One of my biggest fears is... P I have experienced both joy and fear together when... Welcome the participants as they arrive and ask them to consider the two phrases you have written on newsprint or the board. Have them turn to at least one other person and tell how they would complete the sentences. After a few minutes of conversation, you may invite volunteers to give some of their responses. Observe whether the fear of one s death or the death of a loved one is mentioned. Introduce today s session by saying that it is Matthew s description of the resurrection of Jesus where both joy and fear were described by witnesses. Then pray the following prayer or one of your choosing: Lord Jesus, shine light on our darkest fears with the hope of your resurrection. Help us to live in this hope. Amen. EXPLORING Ask for three volunteers to read the focus text aloud, taking the roles of the narrator, the angel, and Jesus. Ask the participants to listen closely and make note of anything that stands out in Matthew s story. After the reading, ask the participants to point out things that stood out for them. You may wish to capture this on newsprint or the board. Compare today s focus scripture to two other versions of the resurrection story (Luke 24:22 27 and John 20:1 18). Have them discuss the following: P Who is it that first comes to the tomb in these stories and hears the resurrection news? 2
P What reactions do the first visitors to the empty tomb have? P What range of emotions is reported? Call attention to the fact that the phrase, Do not be afraid, is spoken twice in Matthew s account. Then ask volunteers to read the following passages aloud where people are also told to fear not: Luke 1:26 30; Luke 2:8 11; Matthew 17:4 8. Ask: P How is the presence of God or an angel a cause for fear? P How is it possible to experience both joy and fear at the same time? Can participants think of examples? Some may mention the birth of a child, falling in love, peering down into the Grand Canyon, or riding a roller coaster. Distribute Resource Sheet 1 (Focus on Matthew 28:1 10). Ask the participants to read the So What? excerpt. Have them discuss the following in pairs or groups of three: P Choose a phrase from the paragraph that particularly speaks to you and tell your partners why. P What made the resurrection such good news for those first witnesses? It can be argued that Easter is the pinnacle celebration of the Christian church. We celebrate Jesus resurrection and triumph over death. Ask the participants to consider what they most enjoy about Easter worship. What might they change or do differently, if anything, to capture the awesome nature of this event? Lead into Responding by asking the participants to think about how each of them might explain the resurrection to someone who had never heard the story. What reactions or questions would they imagine getting from those they told? You may wish to capture some of these responses on newsprint or the board. EASY PREP Seismic has to do with measuring the waves caused by the movement of the earth s crust, especially during earthquakes. It also refers to something huge, of enormous proportions, or having highly significant consequences. RESPONDING Choose one or more of these activities depending on the length of your session. 1. Earthshaking Resurrection Adults familiar with the resurrection account may not hear the earth-shattering aspects of it. Write the word seismic on newsprint or the board and ask what it refers to. Say that this word comes from a Greek root word that is found in last week s focus scripture (Matthew 21:10 the whole city was in turmoil ). It appears again in today s text in verse 2 (earthquake) and verse 4 (guards shook). Ask the participants to reflect on what it is about Jesus that is most earthshaking. Have them discuss this with one or two others. Have participants plan how they will tell others about Jesus resurrection and about how it affects their lives. 2. Singing the Resurrection Many Easter hymns are sung only on Easter, but in this activity, the participants take a closer look at them. Provide copies of your congregation s hymnals or songbooks. Invite the participants to find the section of hymns or songs that are chosen for Easter. If a special Easter section is not designated, you could have the participants search the subject index for Resurrection or Eternal Life. Ask the participants to scan the Easter-related hymns quickly and choose one that is particularly 3
meaningful from the perspective of its message. Is there a particular phrase or verse that really speaks to them? Ask for volunteers to tell the group which hymns they chose and why. Invite them to sing the song regularly at home during the next week. 3. Images of the Resurrection Images and symbols can help participants express their understanding of the resurrection. Have the participants turn to Resource Sheet 2 (Images of the Resurrection) and respond to the photo and questions. Then call attention to the supplies needed to make the bookmarks. The bookmarks can be made without the hole punch and strands of ribbon. Have participants create a symbol of resurrection on a bookmark as an ongoing reminder of its meaning in their lives. Encourage them to use the bookmark as a conversation starter to talk to others about the good news of the resurrection. CLOSING Light a candle and place it in the center of the room or table. Ask volunteers to describe a key moment of learning or inspiration they experienced in the session. Tell the participants that the candle today represents the light of Easter s resurrection dawn. Then say the following: Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the light. May his light and the hope of his resurrection shine in you. Have each person give the traditional Easter greeting to the person on each side of her or him. Remind them of the words of the greeting, which vary among traditions and cultures. One person says the first sentence and the one greeted responds with the second sentence. Some familiar ones include: Christ has risen! Christ has risen, indeed! The Lord is risen! Indeed, the Lord is risen! Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Invite the participants to pray short prayers of thanks for the hope or strength God promises even in the midst of challenging life circumstances. After a time of free prayers, close by praying the following prayer: God, we kneel in wonder and awe at the feet of the risen Savior. Grant us the power to rise and serve you, living in the sure and certain hope of the new life you bring today and forever. Amen. Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 1 for April 23, 2017, or e-mail it to the participants during the week. Encourage participants to read the focus scripture and Resource Sheet 1 before the next session. 4
April 16, 2017 Adult Resource Sheet 1 Focus on Matthew 28:1 10 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective by Richard S. Dietrich The story focuses on a series of messages. The angel tells the women to tell the disciples, and they run to tell them. They run into Jesus, who tells them again: Tell my brothers ; then they run off again with their news. The story also focuses on the messengers, on what the women see the angel and the empty tomb and Jesus himself and on how the women feel. Again, at the angel s behest they run to tell the disciples, quickly with fear and great joy (v. 8). Then they run into Jesus, who tells them a second time, Do not be afraid, for he is going before them into Galilee. If the women hear and heed him, what is left? What is left when their fears are gone? Great joy! WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective by D. Cameron Murchison Matthew s core theological point is that there is no merely naturalistic way of speaking of the resurrection. This is not about human capacities or possibilities. It is wholly about God s capacity and determination. If goodness and mercy are to withstand the onslaught of religiously based self-righteousness and control, it is not because good people just keep trying hard. If death as a final conclusion to even the most finely lived human life is to be transcended, it is not because such goodness just naturally lives on. It is, rather, because God acts at that boundary of life we call death and does something altogether new. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective by Martin B. Copenhaver When the angel says, Do not be afraid, or when Jesus says, Fear not, it is not assurance that nothing can go wrong, because often things do go wrong. It is not assurance that everything turns out for the best, because, if we are honest about it, it seldom does. Rather, it is assurance that, whatever may happen to us, whatever a day may hold, God has the power to strengthen us and uphold us; that whatever we must face, we do not face it alone; that nothing we encounter is stronger than God s love; that ultimately God gets the last word; that in the end and sometimes even before the end God s love is triumphant. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective by Clayton J. Schmit This story s vivid imagery brings us wonder, uncertainty, and joy. When we hear of the earthquake, we resonate with the fear of women and the guards. When we see the brilliant angel descending from heaven and effortlessly rolling the sealed stone away, we are caught up in wonder at what the hand of God can do. When we hear the announcement of the angel, it sparks the hope in us that the inconceivable is somehow possible and plausible. Imagining the suddenness of Jesus appearance and hearing his words of encouragement inspire the joy that accompanies fulfilled hope. 2017 Westminster John Knox Press
April 16, 2017 Adult Resource Sheet 2 Images of the Resurrection The empty cross is the most common symbol of Jesus resurrection. Below is a striking use of the cross in the architecture of a church in Ibaraki, Japan. Besides the cross, what else do you see in the photo that speaks to you of the meaning of the resurrection? Many things witness to the resurrection of Jesus, including song, the spoken word, architecture, and various forms of art. Name one or two ways the resurrection of Jesus is made most real to you. Tell at least two others in the class about what you have named. Church of the Light is the Ibaraki Kasugaoka Church s main chapel, built in 1989 in the city of Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture. (Shutterstock) 2017 Westminster John Knox Press