Daily Lesson for Monday 23rd of September 2024

The story of the resurrection appears in each of the Gospels. Each Gospel writer presents the story from a different perspective, but they all contain the core concepts that appear also in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.

Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com

Four ideas appear again and again—died, buried, risen, seen. In Mark, “died” and “buried” are in chapter 15. The “risen” and “seen” appear in chapter 16, but with a twist. Mark 16:7 speaks of a meeting in Galilee, and there you will see Him (see John 21:1-25).

Some people find it incredible that Christians believe in a risen Lord. But the evidence for His resurrection is substantial and consistent with reason.

For starters, all one has to do is believe in God as the Creator (see Genesis 1:1-31 and 2) and the idea of the resurrection, of a miracle, becomes reasonable. The God who created the universe, and then life on earth, certainly had the power, if He chose, to resurrect Jesus. The existence of God doesn’t make the resurrection of Jesus inevitable, only reasonable.

Next, the tomb was definitely empty. Even atheist historians accept that fact. If it were not, the claim about His resurrection would fail right from the start because the existence of His body there would destroy any claims of His having risen.

Next, the explanation that His disciples stole the body does not work. The disciples surely couldn’t have gotten past the guards. And even if they had done so and got the body, why were the disciples never arrested for stealing it? The answer is that the religious leaders knew that the disciples had not done it.

Also, numerous people testified that they saw the risen Christ. Many, including the disciples, did not at first believe. And one very solid enemy, Paul, not only claims to have seen the risen Lord but that this experience changed the whole trajectory of his life—in very radical ways, too.

Finally (though there are many other reasons), how does one explain the rise of the Christian church, founded by people who claimed to have seen the risen Lord? Why would these people have been willing to die for what they knew was a lie? Their consistent testimony, both right after His death (Acts 3:15) and years later (1 Peter 1:3), provides powerful evidence for His resurrection.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24c-13-the-stone-was-rolled-away/

Key Thought : In Mark 16 we see the timing of Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday morning and the mission to take ther gospel throughout the world.
September 28, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read Mark 15:42—16:6.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What happens here and why is it relevant to the resurrection narrative?
3. Personal Application: How can we be certain of the resurrection of Jesus? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Isn’t Sunday a memorial of Jesus’ resurrection? If not, what is the memorial?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Mark 16:1-8, I Cor 15:1-8.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What happened and how did the women respond?
3. Personal Application: Why must we not keep silent about Jesus and what He has done? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What can you tell me about Jesus and the plan of salvation in your life? Do you have a personal testimony?.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Mark 16:9-20.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What do these verses add to the resurrection story?
3. Personal Application: How can we keep ourselves from the spiritual trap of doubt and unbelief? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Maybe the disciples lied about the resurrection and just made it u.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 16:14-20.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did Jesus say to His disciples and what do these words mean to us today?
3. Personal Application: What comfort can we take and should we take from this promise as we also seek to proclaim the gospel everywhere? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/13-the-risen-lord-teaching-plan/