JESUS THE SAVIOR
Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches
of the Philippines
Lesson 13
NOT IN VAIT (AFTER ALL)
Aim: That the learners will tell others to trust Christ because He is
alive.
Scripture: John 20:1-31
Memory Verse: John 20:21b – Jesus said,…”As
the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
(NIV)
In Advance
1.
Pray
2.
Memorize John 20:21b
3.
Prepare
For ENTRANCE –
if possible, bring before the class an empty bird’s nest with broken
eggshells. If you cannot find any,
prepare to describe one orally.
4.
Study John 20:1-31
Background of
the Scripture passage used:
We have the culmination of John’s Gospel
in John 20. All the essential situations
are moving towards this event. This event happened many years ago in
Jerusalem. The tranquility of the
Passover Sabbath was gone. It was a high
day, a day when the Sabbath coincided with the “first day of unleavened bread”
(Exodus 12:16,17; Leviticus 23:7). The
holiness of such a day was felt all around Judea. The burial of Jesus on Friday night before
the start of the Sabbath was hurried.
The body of Jesus had not been properly prepared for burial (Matthew
27:59, 60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-56; John 19:40-42). The women had prepared “spices and ointments”
to retard decomposition. The atmosphere
was one of mourning.
CLASS SESSION
ENTRANCE
1.
Show a bird’s nest with broken
eggshells in it. If you cannot find a
bird’s nest, describe it orally.
2.
Ask the learners to make
conclusions about it.
Possible answers: a. Someone stole the mother bird and her chicks.
b. The eggs hatched and the mother bird and her
chicks flew away.
Transition Sentence: We have considered an empty nest.
Now we will consider an empty tomb.
SUBSTANCE
Assign
three groups to look for the reactions to the empty tomb by the following:
PEOPLE WHO RESPONSE OF NEEDS
MEET
SAW JESUS JESUS
a.
Mary Magdalene:
(vv. 1,2,11) vv.15-18
surprised, calm, called grief
reported the Mary’s name (assurance)
missing Lord,
crying.
b.
Disciples:
(vv. 2-10) vv. 19-23
fearful giving peace and fear
the Holy Spirit (turned to joy)
c.
Thomas:
(vv. 24) vv.25-29
doubt proved Himself doubt
to Thomas (faith)
ASK: What instruction did Jesus give to His disciples when He appeared to
them? (v.21)
ANSWER: “As the Father has
sent me, so send I you,” (John 20:21;
cf. John 17:18)
General Truth: It is worth telling others to trust Christ because He is alive.
SIGNIFICANCE
Ask the whole class:
1.
Has the living Cchrist touched your life in times of grief (like Mary), fear (like
the disciples), or doubt (like
Thomas)? [Give time for sharing.]
2.
What is the difference between those who really trust the Living
Christ and those who don’t?
3.
Do you know of someone who needs to trust the Living Christ?
* Yes, those who had not yet put their trust
in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life.
4.
What can we do to help them?
Answers: - share the Gospel personally
-
invite to our church
-
ask to attend a Bible study
-
pray for them.
PERFORMANCE
1.
Give learners time to pray for
the person whom they are burdened about.
2.
Remind the learners to talk to
the person they have prayed for, and to tell him the fact that Christ lives and
is interested in his life.
HE
LIVES
I serve a risen Savior
He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.
Chorus:
He lives! He
lives!
Christ Jesus lives today;
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way;
He lives! He
lives!
Salvation to impart;
You ask me how I know He lives,
He lives within my heart.
