Unit 2 Study 8

                                            April 20, 2014

 

Study Scriptures for this week's Lesson: Luke 24:13-35; John 20:1-18; 21:1-23 

 

Key Verse: Philippians 3:10 That I may Know him [Christ], and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (KJV).

 

Central Truth: Because Christ is alive, we can experience a personal relationship with the living Lord.

 

Our Focus: To examine the effects of Christ's resurrection on those who witnessed it and experience its impact.

 

 

                                      Experiencing the Resurrection

 

 

                                                                                         

Introducing the study

 

As Christians, our Savior's resurrection is the starting point of out faith. Yet it is much more than a blessed event of Christian history. We must recognize the power that Christ from the dead is at work in our lives today, giving hope, promise, and encouragement. Mary Magdalene and the men on the road to Emmaus had something in common. They all encountered the risen Christ, but came dangerously close to not recognizing Him. Peter recognized Him, but almost allowed his failures keep him from truly knowing the risen Christ. How devastating it would be if we forgot the power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power available to us daily. At the end of this study, you will be able to do the following: (1). Recognize Christ's presence and provision, even when you are saddened and confused. (2). Trust God's plan, especially when it doesn't make sense to you. (3). Demonstrate love for Christ by repenting and returning to Him when you fail.

 

Recognizing the Risen Christ

 

Still sadden by the events of the previous days, Mary Magdalene went early to Jesus' tomb. a key person in Jesus' ministry, Mary had experienced firsthand the life-changing power of Christ. (Luke 8:1-30> she was one  of the last to leave the feet of Jesus after the crucifixion (John 19:25), and was one of the first to return to the tomb. When Mary arrived, she saw the stone had been removed from the tomb's opening. She ran to get Peter and John. At the realization that Jesus' body was no longer there, Peter and John left, but Mary remained, weeping.  Focused intently on her grief, Mary failed to find comfort in the presence of two angels (verse 13). She even failed to recognized Christ himself when He first spoke to her. Like Mary, often we become so focused on our own problems and situations that we miss the fact Christ is right there with us. When Mary finally realized she was speaking to Christ, she became overwhelmed with relief and affection. Her grief gave way to worship and adoration. Although that was an appropriate response, Christ did not allow her to remain in that state. he gave her a mandate: Go and tell the others. Once we encounter the life-changing power of Christ and His resurrection, we have a responsibility to tell others how He has changed our lives. Then they can experience that power firsthand.

 

[For Personal Reflection] What are some ways we can tell others of Christ's power in our lives?
 

 

Relationship with the Risen Christ

 

Later in the day, two followers of Christ left Jerusalem and traveled toward a village called Emmaus. As they walked, the resurrected Jesus joined them. However, they, like Mary Magdalene, did not recognize Him. These travelers were visibly upset as they discussed the events of Christ's crucifixion. The government and religious leaders had killed their leader, and their future was unclear. Threr may be times as we walk with Christ that we don't understand why  things happen. We may question His will, but we must remember that God's ways are higher than ours. We can trust Him with the future, even when we don't know where He is leading us. Jesus explained that these troubling events had happened for a very significant reason. Jesus began to explain the many prophecies in scripture that pointed to Him. Reaching their destination, the travelers invited Jesus to stay and continue their  conversation. As they sat  down to eat, Jesus blessed the meal--a responsibility typically reserved for the host. It was then that the men realized they had been walking and talking with Christ. Without delay, they returned to Jerusalem to tell what had happened. When we have a relationship with the risen Christ, He helps us make sense of the seeming chaos and confusion in our lives. We begin to see struggles as opportunities to grow closer to Him and learn more about His grace.

 

[For Personal Reflection] How does a relationship with Christ help us in times of need?

 

Restored by the Risen Christ

 

Jesus appeared to His disciples once again. During a meal, He posed a significant question to Peter. Although Peter had seen Jesus since His resurrection, they had not spoken of Peter's betrayal (John 18:15-18, 25-27). Now the time had come. Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me more than these [other disciples]?" The question reminds us of peter's claim in Matthew 26:33 that he would outlast the other disciples in his devotion to Christ. Peter's response shows that he had learned a lesson in humility. Not daring to put himself above the others, he replied simply, "You know i love you." it was a stark contrast from the brash, arrogant young man who boasted of his devotion of Christ, then committed heart-wrenching betrayal. That is all jesus desired. He did not reprimand Peter for his mistake or preach to him about his shortcomings. Jesus simply asked if Peter loved Him. That is all christ requires of us to be restored to His grace. Do we love Him? Your past isn't important. Your mistakes are erased if you cry out for His forgiveness. Do you love Him?

 

[For Personal reflection] How can our past mistakes sometimes keep us from loving God fully ?

 

 Discipleship in Action

 

The people who first encountered Christ after His resurrection experienced amazing joy and transformation in their spiritual lives. Their grief was lifted, their faith was restored, and their mistakes were forgotten. And these experiences are for us today. If we're not careful we can forget that we have access to that same power that raised Christ from the dead. We can become overwhelmed with our day-to-day problems and overlook the fact that we serve the same God who raised Christ from the dead, spoke to Mary at the tomb, and restored peter after his failure. Jesus wants to heal your pain, restore your faith, and forgive your mistakes. What do you need Him to do in your life? Call on His name, then rely on His power.
  

                                                          YOU GOT THE POWER!                                                    

 

 

 

 

Tuesday                Naomi's Hope Restored.               Ruth 4:13-17

 

 

Wednesday          David's Joy Restored.                    Psalm 51:1-13                                           

 

Thursday            Lazarus' Life Restored.                    John 11:38-44                                

 

 

Friday                Thomas' Faith Restored.               John 20:24-29                       

 

 

Saturday            Saul Encounters the Risen Christ.  Acts 9:1-15