Resurrection What-If

A Small Group Leader sent me this email question and I wanted to pass it along to you all. It made me think of a "what if" question. What if Jesus hadn't been raised from the dead?

Here's the email and my response:

Mike,

Why did Jesus need to be raised from the dead?

Meaning, I get that Jesus needed to die to pay the penalty of our sins, but why all the hoop-la about Jesus being raised from the dead? All the way to the point of Paul saying our faith is futile if he didn’t raise from the dead.


Here are 9 reasons that the resurrection is important. I'm sure there are many more:

1. Jesus’ resurrection demonstrated that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf.
2. It proves that God has the power to raise us from the dead.
3. It guarantees that those who believe in Christ will not remain dead, but will be resurrected unto eternal life as Jesus preached throughout His ministry on Earth.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul explains in detail the importance of the resurrection of Christ. In this chapter Paul gives six consequences if there were no resurrection:

1. Preaching Christ would be senseless (verse 14)
2. Faith in Christ would be useless (verse 14)
3. All the witnesses and preachers of the resurrection would be liars (verse 15)
4. No one would be redeemed from sin (verse 17)
5. All former believers would have perished (verse 18)
6. Christians would be the most pitiable people on the earth (verse 19). But Christ has risen from the dead and “has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen sleep” (verse 20).

Leader Guide 3-30-08 Luke 12

Small Group Leaders Guide
March 30, 2008

Taking A New Look At Life

Getting Started:
1. Do you plan on retiring some day? What do you plan to do when you retire?

Going Deeper:
2. A few weeks ago we studied the Lord’s Prayer. What difference in attitude do you notice between the prayer for “our daily bread” and the man’s attitude in Luke 12:19?

• I suppose you no longer need to pray for daily bread if you have “plenty of good things laid up for many years.”

3. In Luke 12:15, Jesus uses the phrases “watch out!” and “be on your guard.” Is greed something that attacks you from without or within? How can you be on your guard against the sin of greed?

4. Jesus refers to “all kinds” of greed in this passage. Is there more than one kind of greed?

• Greed is not reserved for money only. A person can be greedy for material possessions, talents, abilities, compliments, looks, power, food, knowledge, etc.

5. The man’s life was demanded from him in verse 20. Who demanded it? Why is this person called a fool by God?

6. Read Luke 16:11-13 and Luke 12:21. Is it possible to do both store up for yourself and be rich toward God?

7. Read Luke 12:20 and Ecclesiastes 2:18-19. What is the common concern that is in view in these two passages? Read Luke 12:21. What is the remedy for the concern?

• There seems to be a question in both passages about who gets the wealth that was stored up and how will that person use it? Let’s not forget that the passing on of this wealth comes rather suddenly and unexpectedly.
• It appears that the remedy is to be “rich toward God.” While we don’t know for sure who ends up with what we have stored up for ourselves and how it will be used, we do know for sure that God is always faithful and that He is no fool!

8. What does it mean to be rich toward God? What practical steps would you suggest to someone who wants to take being rich toward God seriously?

• The worldly view of riches has to do with how much a person can accumulate for himself. What God gives a person is stored up for personal use.
• God’s view of riches has to do with how much a person gives away. What God gives a person is given back to Him for His purposes.

Putting it into practice:
1) Are you particularly vulnerable to a certain kind of greed? Pray about this in your groups.
2) Do you have the desire to be rich toward God but are unsure where or how to begin? Pray about this in your groups.


Quote Of The Week:
I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.
In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them.
--C.S. Lewis

Leader Guide 3-23-08 / John 11:1-44

Small Group Leaders Guide
March 23, 2008
Easter

Getting Started:
1. Do you think people will eat and drink after final resurrection?

• Luke 24:41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Going Deeper:
2. Read John 11:17. By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. Why did Jesus wait so long?

• According to verses 4-15, Jesus waited so that He could manifest God’s glory and so the disciples would believe.

3. In this passage, both Mary and Martha start with the very same question for Jesus. Why do you think the rest of their conversations went different directions?

4. In John 11:35, it says that Jesus wept. Nowhere in the New Testament does it mention that Jesus laughed or smiled. However, many times we read that he was troubled, angered, distressed, etc. Why do you think that is?

• Jesus is sometimes called the “Suffering Servant” based on what Isaiah prophesied about Him.
• Isaiah 53:1-12 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

5. Read John 11:45. How come “many” Jews believed and not “all?” Isn’t a miracle like this one convincing enough? What other Bible passages describe unbelief after great signs?

6. Is it important for a Christian to believe in the resurrection? Why or why not? Would you say that the teaching about resurrection is central to your faith or more peripheral?

• 1Corinthians 15:12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

7. What ever happened to Lazarus? Did he die again later?

• Tradition has it that Lazarus ended up in France with his two sisters and became the first Bishop of Marseilles. According to this tradition, he was martyred under the reign of Domitian.
• Another tradition says that he was the Bishop of Kition in Cypress.

8. Is there a difference between “A” resurrection and “The” resurrection? If so, what is the difference?

• “The” resurrection can be defined as a rising from the dead into a new kind of life not subject to sickness, aging, deterioration, or death.
• “A” resurrection, such as that performed on Lazarus can be defined as a raising from the dead into the restoration of the life once had before death. This kind of resurrection does not necessarily rule out sickness, aging, and another future death.

Putting it into practice:
1) What part of your life needs to be resurrected? A relationship, job, family member, your commitment to Christ? Pray about this in your groups.

Quote Of The Week:
Many think the Christian religion has run its course and that the gloom of Good Friday is now settling over the long history of the church. But they are wrong. The reality of the Resurrection cannot so easily be undone. In truth, it is the world of unbelievers that remains on notice of judgment.
--Carl F. H. Henry

Meeting New People At Church

Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable meeting someone new? Do you easily initiate conversations with people you don’t know?

Here’s a tip that can help:

Ask questions
Let the person you are meeting do the talking. People generally enjoy telling others about themselves. After introducing yourself, some good questions are:

1. How long have you been coming to New Life?
2. How did you like the message today?
3. What did you think when the speaker said _______________?
4. Do you have any kids?
5. What are you doing for lunch?
6. Have you been to one of our small groups?
7. Have you tried the Accelerate group?
8. Do you live close by?
9. How did you find out about New Life?
10. What do you think of our church?

Make meeting new people at church an intentional part of your Sunday mornings. God may use a simple 3-minute conversation to start someone He loves on a path to eternity in the Kingdom!

What tips can you share for meeting new people at church?

Share your suggestions and tips by clicking “comments"
For "extra credit" do you know the 5 minute rule?

Leader Guide week of 3-16-08/Luke 11:1-13

Small Group Leaders Guide
March 16, 2008
When It Feels Like You Don’t Have A Prayer

Getting Started:
1. Do you know of a time when you were the answer to a prayer? Tell your group about it.
2. If you had to borrow a spoon at midnight, who would you call?

Going Deeper:
3. In Luke 11:2, Jesus tells His disciples to “say.” Do you think He is giving the disciples an exact prayer to recite? Why or why not?

4. In Luke 11:4, the prayer is to not be led into temptation. Does God lead people into temptation? Read James 1:13.

• James 1:13 says that God doesn’t tempt anyone. But it doesn’t say anything about God leading someone into temptation.
• Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted. The Holy Spirit was not the tempter. It was the devil. See Matthew 3:1.

5. In Luke 11:4, what is the relationship between praying for forgiveness and praying to not be lead into temptation, are they connected?

• I think you need to pray both things in verse 4 – both forgive me for messing up and help me stay out of temptation. One without the other is incomplete. If you prayed the first part, and really wanted to stop sinning, wouldn’t it make sense to pray the second part? And if you prayed more for staying clear of temptation, is it possible you might have less times when you need to come and ask for forgiveness?

6. Verse 4 makes an interesting connection between asking for forgiveness and granting forgiveness to others; we can’t be praying and asking God to forgive our sins, if we aren’t willing to forgive those who sin against us. Is there someone you need to forgive?

7. Read Luke 11:5-8. What is the main point of this passage? Why did the friend give as much as was needed? What does this passage teach you about your prayer life?

8. Read Luke 11:9-10. What does everyone who asks receive?

• Keep reading!

9. Read 1Corinthians 14:15. When you pray, do you find yourself thinking carefully through your prayer or simply letting it come out? Which do you prefer when you pray and why?

10. Share Bible passages in your group that give advice on how to pray. What advice do you find yourself using when you pray?

• Philippians 4:6
• Colossians 4:2
• 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
• 1Timothy 2:1, 2:8
• Jude 1:20
• James 5:13-16
• 1Peter 3:7, 4:7
• Luke 5:16, 6:28, 18:1
• Proverbs 28:9
• Daniel 9:3
• Romans 12:12

11. For “extra credit,” read some of Paul’s prayers and describe what you learn about prayer from him. What did he pray about most frequently? Most fervently? Does there seem to be a common theme in his prayers?
(Romans 10:1, 11:33-36, 15:5-6, 15:13, 15:30-33, 16:25-27, 1Corinthians 16:23-34, 2Corinthians 13:7-9, 13:14, Galatians 1:3-5, 6:18, Ephesians 1:15-19, 3:14-21, 1Thessalonians 1:2-3, 3:10-13, 2Thessalonians 1:11-12, 3:16, Philippians 1:3-11, Colossians 1:9-14, Philemon 1:4-6.)


Putting it into practice:
1) We probably all think we could pray more. If this is the way you feel, what will you do about it? Pray about this in your groups.


Quote Of The Week
When life knocks you to your knees—well, that’s the best position in which to pray, isn’t it?
--Ethel Barrymore

Leader Guide week of 3-9-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
March 9, 2008

Luke 9:10-17

Getting Started:

1. In Luke 9:10-17, how many people were fed?

• See Bible study tip blog post below.
• 5000 men plus any women and children who were present. I could easily see up to 20,000 people gathering for this occasion. See Matthew 14:21

Going Deeper:

2. Luke 9:10 says, “when the apostles returned.” Where did the apostles return from? Why do you think Jesus withdrew with them after their return?

• Luke 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
• With so many people coming to Jesus to be healed, fed and taught, He could easily have forgotten about His team of disciples. While the Lord had an eye on the masses, He also paid attention to the needs of His core group. In the book of Mark, there are five separate places where Mark writes that Jesus took His disciples aside to a quiet retreat so they could recharge their batteries and deepen their relationships.

3. Read Luke 9:17. Why do you think the disciples picked up the scraps after this feast? What do you think Jesus was teaching by this?

• I suppose the scraps could have been left for the birds and other wildlife to eat but there could be a stewardship issue here.
• Jesus not only provided all that was needed, but there was more than enough.

4. In verse 13, Jesus tells the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” Has God ever called you to do something you felt unable to do? Share what you learned through that experience.


5. Read Luke 9:16. What do you think the significance is of taking all five loaves and both fish? Couldn’t Jesus have fed the people with less?

• Giving all to Jesus probably is a component of the teaching. While it’s true that Jesus can perform miracles in some areas of our lives, He wants our entire life turned over to Him.
• It takes more faith to give Jesus everything than it does to give Him only a portion.

6. Do you think there are larger spiritual meanings in this story? What do you think Jesus wanted the disciples to understand from His feeding the crowds?

• John 6:32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

7. When we give to Jesus, whether it is time, talent or treasure, there is a natural tendency and desire to withhold something for ourselves. How does this story reflect Jesus’ heart when it comes to our giving to Him?



Putting it into practice:
1) What do you sense God wants you to completely turn over to Him? Pray about that in your groups.


Quote Of The Week
Faith is the inborn capacity to see God behind everything, the wonder that keeps you an eternal child. Wonder is the very essence of life. Beware always of losing the wonder, and the first thing that stops wonder is religious conviction. Whenever you give a trite testimony the wonder is gone. The evidence of salvation is that the sense of wonder is developing.
--Oswald Chambers

Bible Study Tip

Any time a passage can be found in more than one Gospel, take the time to read them all. The different Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John often share the same events with different perspectives.
In the same way that eyewitness accounts of the same event, when combined, can give a better overall picture of that event, the Gospel writers also help to provide a more complete picture when you read each account. Reading the passage from each Gospel can serve to illuminate details and meaning and can help in revealing the intended purpose the Gospel writer had in mind as he penned the account.

Found

In our walk with Christ, there are events that seem to leave a mark on our lives. There are turning points, memories, and experiences that stand out in our minds as being special, even supernatural.

One of those turning points for me was my baptism. In November of 2000, I was baptized in Ned Webster’s swimming pool. I remember thinking, “This is it, God. I’m really doing it. I’m counting on you.” I really felt “exposed.” I’m not sure if “exposed” was the best word to describe the feeling, but it was the best word I could come up with; until I heard this song.

A video of all of us who were baptized, was taken that day and later shown in the Sunday services. The audio track that was added to the video was a song by Delirious? called, “Find Me In The River.” That song gave me a better way to describe the feeling. I was “on my knees with my soul laid bare.”

Have you ever felt that way?

Find Me In The River

Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please

We've longed to see the roses
But never felt the thorns
And bought our pretty crowns
But never paid the price

Find me in the river
Find me there
Find me on my knees with my soul laid bare
Even though you're gone and I'm cracked and dry
Find me in the river, I'm waiting here

Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the water
Now I'm waiting if you please

We didn't count on suffering
We didn't count on pain
But if the blessing's in the valley
Then in the river I will wait

Written by Martin Smith ©1995 Curious? Music UK