LESSON 1 foundation the resurrection of Jesus Communicate that our faith rests on the bodily resurrection of Christ. His public death, burial in a known tomb, and post-resurrection appearances are proof of an actual historic event. The resurrection of Jesus is the turning point of history and the basis on which the Christian faith stands. Participants understand the Christian faith rests on the historic resurrection of Jesus, base their lives on that foundation, and share the good news of a risen Savior with others. Background Passage: scripture Passage: Memory Verses: 1 C ORINTHIAN S 1 5 1 C O RIN THIANS 1 5: 1-2 2 1 C O RINTHIAN S 1 5: 3-4 The gospel rests on the historical death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (vv. 1-8). The resurrection of Christ changes lives (vv. 9-11). If Christ has not been raised from the dead, our faith has no foundation and is futile (vv. 12-19). Christ s resurrection guarantees all who are in Him will be made alive (vv. 20-22). For I passed on to you as most page 9 important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. foundation
PREPARING TO TEACH Are you a theologian? (See Travelogue, p. 141.) Are those in your LIFE Group theologians? The answer is yes: we are all theologians because we all think about God. The goal is to be good theologians who think rightly about God. This Transforming Truths study is designed to help make that goal a reality. Believers are on a journey of becoming more like Jesus so that His personality and deeds flow out of us where we live, work, and play. That occurs when we know, understand, and apply God s transforming truths to our lives. Solid, transformational theology views everything life, Scripture, the world, history through the lens of Jesus resurrection. Slowly and out loud, read Matthew 28:1-6, Mark 16:1-6, Luke 24:1-6, and John 20:1-18. Consider what the world would be like if Jesus had not risen from the tomb. Think what your life would be like if you did not believe in His resurrection. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-22 and corresponding notes in the HCSB Study Bible (www.mywsb.com, click Library, open the HCSB Study Bible in Reader). Carefully study Lesson 1 in the Venture In: Transforming Truths Travelogue, completing all bolded activities, and recording thoughts and questions in the margin. Pray group participants will be convinced of the reality of the resurrection, rejoice in the resurrection as the foundation of their faith, and be motivated to tell others the good news that Christ has risen. Write, What are some of the major turning points in world history? on a poster board. TEACHING SUGGESTIONS THE TURNING POINT OF HISTORY As adults arrive, request they ponder the question on the poster. Open the session with announcements and prayer, then explain the question on the poster was posted on Quora, a question-and-answer website. Ask: What kind of answers do you think the website s users gave to that question? (Answers included: advent of fire; the wheel; language; Internet; development of agriculture; Greco- page 1 0 foundation
Persian war; Industrial Revolution; September 11, 2001. See www. quora.com/what-are-some-of-the-major-turning-points-in-world-history for more responses.) Guide the group to consider why those events would be considered turning points. Read from the Travelogue (p. 10): The resurrection was also a turning point because it changed the course of human history. When sin entered humanity in the garden of Eden, so did death. But when Jesus burst forth from the tomb on that first Easter morning, the victory over death was not His alone. Rather, we share in His victory because He conquered sin and death on our behalf. His resurrection represents a turning point in our lives as well. Explain the group will be examining transforming truths over the next 13 sessions. Request participants scan the Table of Contents on page 5 of the Travelogue. Ask: Many of these foundational truths are laid in the Old Testament, so why start with a discussion of Jesus resurrection? Encourage learners to underline the second paragraph on page 9 of the Travelogue as you read it aloud: As we begin these Venture In studies about truths that transform our lives, there is no better place to start than at that climactic moment when all of human history was changed forevermore. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation upon which all of Christian life and thought is based, and once we recognize the reality of the resurrection, the rest of the story falls into place. HE WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY State 1 Corinthians 15 is the most comprehensive discussion of resurrection in the Bible. Read aloud 1 Corinthians 15:1-2. Explore: Why did Paul write this chapter? Why might believers need the gospel clarified? What does it mean to receive the gospel? How is it possible to believe for no purpose? Explain Paul started the church at Corinth. He knew the gospel they first heard was true because he was the one who presented it to them. They had believed his message and proclaimed faith in Christ. Now that some questioned the resurrection, Paul stated it was possible those had believed to no purpose. Belief that doesn t hold firmly to the truth of page 1 1 foundation
Jesus bodily resurrection is in vain because the entire gospel rests on the resurrection. Invite a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. Paul asserted in verse 3 that he wasn t making this up. He received the truth of the gospel when he was converted and baptized in Damascus (Acts 9) and had proclaimed that same message in cities all over the known world. Ask: What main points of the gospel did Paul emphasize? Why these three points why didn t he mention Jesus teachings and miracles? Declare there are many important truths to know about Jesus, but these three truths are most important. The gospel message centers on Jesus physical death and resurrection. Discuss: Why is it significant that Jesus died? Emphasize these truths: 1) Jesus died as a substitute in our place, taking God s justified wrath against our sins upon Himself. 2) Jesus death fulfilled Scripture. Invite a volunteer to read Isaiah 53:5 (Travelogue, p. 11). 3) Jesus physical death proved He was fully human. Ask: Why is it important that Jesus was a real human being, as opposed to a spirit being who only appeared human? (Travelogue, p. 13). Inquire: Why did Paul emphasize the fact Jesus was buried? Jesus did not simply swoon as some skeptics claim. He was severely beaten, nailed to a cross, and pierced by a spear. He then lay in a tomb sealed with a giant boulder from Friday afternoon until early Sunday morning. He was not resuscitated He was resurrected! This was also according to the Scriptures. Invite a volunteer to read Psalm 16:10. Teacher Helps For solid discussions of theories that attempt to explain away the resurrection, read Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? in the Apologetics Study Bible for Students (http://www.apologeticsbible. com/free-study-downloads/) and the Baptist Press article, Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? (http://www.bpnews.net/27673/did-jesusreally-rise-from-the-dead). page 12 foundation
Ask: Why did Paul go into such detail about the people who saw a living Jesus after His death and burial? Paul wrote this letter about 20 years after the resurrection when hundreds of eyewitnesses to a resurrected Jesus were still living. He was urging those struggling to believe in the resurrection to verify it with people who literally watched Jesus die and interacted with Him after He arose. Ask: We obviously don t have eyewitnesses to the resurrection today, so how can we verify the reality of the resurrection? Declare we have the witness of Scripture. Invite volunteers to read aloud the Gospel resurrection accounts in Matthew 28:1-6, Mark 16:1-6, Luke 24:1-6, and John 20:1-18. Ask: What difference would it make in your life if the resurrection of Jesus had never happened (Travelogue, p. 13)? How are all believers in Jesus witnesses to the reality and power of His resurrection? IF CHRIST IS NOT RAISED, YOUR FAITH IS WORTHLESS Paul used Scripture, eyewitnesses, and personal experience to emphasize the reality of Jesus bodily resurrection. Then he moved on to discuss the relevance of the resurrection. Invite a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Explain why some in the Corinthian church were questioning the resurrection (Travelogue, p. 14). Discuss the Travelogue (p. 15) question: Why do some reject the truth of Christ s resurrection in our day? Note Paul employed a logical If Then argument to counteract secular thinking that had seeped into the church. Request adults read Paul s first If then logic in verse 13. Write IF Christ has not been raised THEN on the board. Ask: What are the implications if Christ has not been raised? Record responses after THEN. Use remarks on pages 14-15 of the Travelogue to add to the discussion along with these thoughts and questions: *Ask: Why would Christianity crumble without the resurrection? *Denying the resurrection declares all the eyewitnesses Paul had page 1 3 foundation
mentioned were lying. That would nullify the validity of the entire New Testament. *Ask: Jesus died for our sins, so why wouldn t we have forgiveness of sin even if He d not been raised? Explain Christ s resurrection secured our justification because it indicated God s approval and acceptance of His sacrifice on our behalf. *Ask: If someone rejects the miraculous, including Christ s resurrection, what hope do they have beyond this life (Travelogue, p. 15)? *Ask: Why are we pitiful people if we have put our hope in Christ for this life only? This life is hard. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Him. Why would we do that if there is no reward waiting for us? If there were no resurrection, this unbelieving world would have every right to consider believers fools to endure hardship for nothing. HIS RESURRECTION GUARANTEES OUR FUTURE Paul explored the grim implications if Jesus had not been raised from the dead, then moved to the reality of Christ s resurrection and its glorious implications. Call on a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:20-22. Use the Travelogue (p. 16) to explain what it means for Jesus to be the firstfruits. Jesus resurrection was the first-of-a-kind that guarantees the bodily resurrection of all who believe in Him. (All will be made alive is not promoting universalism that says everyone will be saved in the end. It refers to all who commit their lives to Jesus on the basis of His crucifixion and resurrection.) Ask: How was Adam s sin a turning point in history? Adam s rebellion was a, but not the, turning point. Sin and death will not have the last word in history. Jesus resurrection was the turning point He will have the last word. That good news should result in sharing that exclamation found in the famous Hallelujah Chorus of Messiah (Travelogue, p. 17)! page 1 4 foundation
CONCLUSION Ask: How are we to apply the transforming truth of Jesus resurrection to our lives? First, we receive it, take our stand on it, and hold firmly to it (v. 1). View all of life through the lens of the resurrection. Request adults consider silently: What evidence in your daily life indicates your faith and life rest on the foundation of Jesus resurrection? A second important application is to share the transforming truth of the resurrection with others. Ask: How would you explain the significance of Christ s resurrection to a non-believer? Request adults respond (out loud, silently, in writing) to the final Travelogue (p. 17) questions: Who is someone you know who has never experienced the victory that Christ purchased for us in His death and resurrection? What will you do to help him or her experience this victory? Close in prayer thanking God that Christ has risen from the dead and secured victory and life for all who trust Him. FOLLOW THROUGH Text or email 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 to participants. Encourage them to memorize and base their lives on the truths in these verses. Follow up with participants who seem uncertain of the reality or relevance of the resurrection. Offer to explore this further with them. page 1 5 foundation