Easter:
The resurrection of Jesus was promised and was a promise kept. If there was a promise Jesus wouldn’t keep it would be the cross. If there was a promise Jesus couldn’t keep it would be the resurrection. The reality empty tomb changed the lives of the first followers of Jesus and has been changing the lives of His followers ever since. But what does an empty tomb on that first Easter Sunday mean for a normal Monday? If the tomb is empty, then the promises of God are not empty promises. I can count on the promises of God.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
We would love for you to be part of helping us love our neighbors ACROSS THE STREET! We are partnering with Lubbock Impact to restock their hygiene pantry by bringing body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes, razors, shampoo & conditioner to Live Oak through May 11!
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- How did you celebrate Easter this year?
- What are your memories of Easter growing up?
- Where do you need HOPE right now in life?
- Where do you need HELP right now in life?
READ: Luke 24:1-49.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
- Observations: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
- What does this passage tell me about who Jesus is?
- Summarize this passage in one phrase.
- Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead? Why do you believe that to be true?
- Doug said that “Because the tomb is empty, His promises are not empty promises. All God’s promises are full, true and trustworthy.” Do you ever find yourself with a disconnect from an Easter Sunday resurrection to an everyday Monday reality?
Doug said there are 3 kinds of promises of God:
Promises about who God is.
Promises about who I am in Christ.
Promises about what God promises to do.
- Which promises for you usually seek out?
- What keeps you from seeking out promises of God?
- Where is an area of life where you need God’s promises right now?
Doug gave us a tool for grabbing hold of promises of God. He called it the “Because He Lives…” Tool. Find a Promise of God and then personalize the promise in 3 ways:
“Because He lives, I can…” (Personalize the promise about what you believe)
“Because He live, I will…” (Personalize the promise about what you will do)
“Because He live, I pray…” (Personalize a prayer to God promise about the promise)
*Try that tool and process out with several promises of God. Here are some passages with promises to use (Or use any promise from God in the Bible):
Philippians 1:6. Philippians 4:6-7. Matthew 29:11. Lamentations 3:21-23. James 1:5.
- What are some ways you can seek out and engage with God’s promises this week? How will you specifically seek out God’s promises this week?
READ: Jeremiah 29:13.
- Doug challenged us to lean into that promise in Jeremiah 29:13 and seek God with all our hearts…to seek the promise maker. What do you think it means to seek God with all our hearts?
- How will you seek out God this week?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step?Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other.
Scripture References:
Luke 24:5-6; Acts 1:1-3; Acts 2:32; Acts 4:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 14, 17-20; 2 Corinthians 2:20; Jeremiah 29:13; Romans 8:1; Matthew 28:20; James 1:5; 2 Peter 1:3; Philippians 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:19; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 9:11