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/

Daily Lesson for Sunday 22nd of September 2024

All the Gospel writers agree that Jesus died on the day that they identify as the “preparation” (Matthew 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14,31,42). Most commentators understand this as a reference to sunset Thursday through sunset Friday. Jesus died late on Friday afternoon and was then quickly buried before sunset.

Image © Providence Collection at Goodsalt.com

During the Sabbath, the Lord rested in the grave, and all of Jesus’ disciples rested, as well. “And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56, NKJV), a rather strange action if, in fact, Jesus had lessened, at least in their minds, the obligation to keep the fourth commandment.

On Saturday night, the women bought spices, and on Sunday morning, they went to the tomb with the desire to complete the typical burial process. Of course, Jesus was not there!

As early as the second century, Christians saw significance in the fact that Jesus rose on Sunday. This became the basis for Sunday sacredness. But is that what the New Testament teaches?

Not a word in the Bible hints at Sunday sacredness as a memorial of the Resurrection. That memorial is baptism. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4, NKJV).

Regardless of the false theology regarding Sunday worship, as Adventists we must rejoice in the Sunday morning resurrection of Jesus. Jesus has triumphed over death, and in His resurrection, we have the surety of ours.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24c-13-rejoicing-in-the-resurrection/

Daily Lesson for Sabbath 21st of September 2024

Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study: Mark 15:42-47, Mark 16:1-20, Colossians 2:10-12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Daniel 9:24-27, John 20:11-18.

Memory Text:

“But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him’ ” (Mark 16:6, NKJV).

The crucifixion of Jesus destroyed the hopes and faith of His disciples. It was a dark weekend for them as they not only grappled with their Master’s death but feared for their own lives, as well (John 20:19).

In Mark 16:1-20, the final chapter in this Gospel, we will look at what followed His death.

First, we will look at the timing of Jesus’ resurrection and why the women came to the tomb on that Sunday morning. Adventists have sometimes shied away from resurrection morning because of the way it is misused to support Sunday sacredness. We will instead see how we can rejoice in the Sunday resurrection, despite the false theology that has, unfortunately, arisen from it.

Second, the lesson explains the first verses of Mark 16:1-20, linking these words to a theme that runs through the entire book. Our studies on Monday and Tuesday will look at these concepts.

Third, Wednesday and Thursday will examine the rest of Mark 16:1-20 and consider the mission it sets before us. This study will close with a challenge to the reader of Mark to take the gospel throughout the world.

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, September 28.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24c-13-the-risen-lord/

The Mission program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is an opportunity for us to understand the needs of others and share in supporting them. Please click on the image below to watch the Mission Spotlight presentation for this week:;

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-september-21/