Proof WEEK OF April 5, 2015 (Easter) 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Leader, as a rule, answering the questions in engage it should take no more than 10 minutes and are designed to generate conversation around the sermon s main themes. 1. How has Easter been celebrated in your home? 2. What does it mean when something is said to be a linchpin? What in your life would you consider to be a linchpin? Merriam-Webster defines a linchpin as: 1: a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft) 2: one that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit (the linchpin in the defense s case) 1 If the linchpin is removed, everything falls apart. 1 Mish, Frederick C. Merriam-Webster s Collegiate Dictionary. 2003. Print.
Leader, unpack it questions help provide an understanding of what happened in the passage and a deeper analysis of certain themes in it, oftentimes, bringing in additional passages for comparison or support. Context: The importance of 1 Corinthians 15 is nearly unmatched in Scripture. It defines the gospel of salvation, the historical authenticity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the certainty of the resurrection of the dead. Of all chapters in the Bible, it provides the fullest explanation of the resurrection of the body and the hope of all believers. 2 In this chapter, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ the central event of the Christian faith. 3 The primary message of the gospel is Jesus death, burial, and resurrection in accordance with the plan of God as revealed in the Scriptures. There were some in the Corinthian church who denied the resurrection of the body. Paul refuted this idea in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 by showing how the resurrection is the linchpin of the Christian faith. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-20 3. Considering the context in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, what false idea did Paul address in 1 Corinthians 15:12-13? How did he respond to those who denied the resurrection of the dead? In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul reminded the Church at Corinth of the gospel he had formerly preached to them. Some in the Corinthian church denied the future resurrection of believers, yet believed the gospel. However, the fallacy of their thinking is exposed by the gospel. The gospel that Paul taught them centered on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While they did not reject Christ s resurrection, they had difficulty accepting that believers would also be resurrected. In other words, they had a he but not we view of resurrection. 4 In response, Paul established that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then even Christ had not been raised. He did not allow for a distinction or separation to be made between the resurrection of Christ and that of believers. If Christ had not been raised, then neither will believers be raised. But the fact of Christ s resurrection assures the resurrection of believers. 2 Prime, D. Opening up 1 Corinthians. Opening Up Commentary. Day One Publications, 2005. Logos Research Systems, Inc. 3 Burns, J. Lanier. Resurrection. The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Ed. John D. Barry et al. 2014. Print. 4 Harrisville, Roy A. I Corinthians. Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1987. Print. 2
4. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-11, what proofs did Paul give that the resurrection actually took place? Which are most convincing to you, and why? The proofs Paul gave were (1) prophecy and (2) multiple eye-witnesses. Verse(s) 3-4: The Scriptures record that Christ s resurrection was prophesied. 5: Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter) and the twelve. 6: Jesus appeared to more than 500 believers. 7: Jesus appeared to James and to all of the apostles. 8-11: Lastly, Jesus appeared to Paul himself. Answers will vary based on personal experience. 5. What proofs in Luke 24:36-43 did Jesus give His disciples that confirmed His bodily resurrection from the dead? In John 20:26-29, how did Jesus address two types of believers? The proofs Jesus gave His disciples were as follows, per verse(s): 36: Jesus stood among them and spoke to them. 39-40: Jesus allowed them to see his nail-scarred hands and feet and touch His body. 41-43: Jesus ate food in their presence. Digestion requires the functioning of physical, bodily processes. In John 20:26-29, Jesus addresses two types of believers (1) those who believe based on physical evidence and (2) those who believe without such proof. Some believers, like Thomas, think that the only way to confirm truth is to see and feel it for themselves. Notice Jesus reaction to Thomas: He did not scold him, but rather invited him to come and see for himself. Even so, in verse 29 Jesus said that those who believe in His bodily resurrection without seeing are more blessed than those who require such physical proof. The basis for our faith is the Word of God as recorded in the Scriptures. 3
6. How would you answer someone who told you the resurrection never happened? Why do you think some people require proof before believing? Answers will vary on responses to those who doubt the resurrection. Answers also vary on why people require proof. One possible response- Some people, like Thomas, feel that the only way that something to be true and real is if they see it themselves. Notice Christ s reaction to Thomas as well. He didn t scold Thomas, rather Christ invited him to come and see for himself that He was real. 7. What did Paul say in 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 would be the repercussions, if there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, Paul said, per verse(s), that 14: His preaching and the faith of believers would be in vain. Without resurrection, there is no gospel to preach or good news to hope and believe in. 15: Those who preach the resurrection or claimed to be witnesses would not merely be mistaken but outright liars (false witnesses). 16: Not even Christ would have been raised. Christ s resurrection from the dead is inherently linked to the resurrection of believers. 17: Faith in Christ would be futile. Believers would remain condemned as a result of their sins and could only anticipate God s wrath, since there would be no way to be made right with God. 18: Those who died hoping in Christ would have perished forever. 19: Believers would only have what this life offers. Therefore, all of their efforts in following Christ s commands would be useless, making the believers themselves pitiable. 8. Read John 5:25-29. What do verses 28-29 of this passage indicate about the resurrection? John 5:28-29 indicates that the resurrection applies to ALL of who have died both the righteous (those who died in Christ) and the wicked (those who died outside of Christ). The righteous will be raised to eternal life, while the wicked will be raised to face the judgment and eternal destruction (spiritual death). 4
9. Read Romans 6:1-14. What does the power of Christ s resurrection enable believers to do in their daily lives? How have you experienced this power at work in your own life or seen it in the life of another believer? As described in Romans 6:1-14, the power of Christ s resurrection enables believers to overcome sin in their daily lives and walk in new and life-giving (non-destructive) ways. Trusting in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation, believers are no longer enslaved to sin. Dying to sin is symbolized through baptism in Jesus Christ. Life in Christ is confirmed by His resurrection. Christ s resurrection means that believers not only have victory over death (the punishment for sin) but also victory over sin in the here and now. No longer are they subject to obey their sinful desires, but now have the power necessary to overcome sin. The resurrection is the linchpin of the gospel. Without it, the gospel has no power. Leader, live it are generally designed for individual application after small group time; though, some may be appropriate for group discussion, if desired. 10. What do you glean about the resurrection from the following Old Testament passages Job 19:23-26, Psalm 16:9-11, Daniel 12:1-3, especially after studying the resurrection passages from the New Testament? Job: Because Jesus Christ the Redeemer lives, those who believe in Him will also live. Although the believer s body (flesh) will initially perish, it will be raised and live again. Psalm: The body (flesh) of believers is secure because God will not allow either their bodies or the body of Jesus Christ ( your holy one ) to be given over permanently to death (Sheol) or destruction. Daniel: God will deliver believers. All people who have died physically ( who sleep in the dust of the earth ) will be raised some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 5
11. Meditate on Romans 6:1-14. How can you live your life differently because of the power of Christ s resurrection? To live your life differently in the power of Christ s resurrection, you may need to Believe and trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ for your salvation. Think of yourself as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (verse 11). Discontinue all known sinful thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Begin assessing your Christian walk daily. Don t worry about trying to understand how you are set free from sin by the power of Christ s resurrection. Rather, based on the Word of God, believe that you have been set free through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and simply begin living His way, replying on Him to help you. As you do, understanding will follow. 12. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of Easter. Who does God want you to share the story of Easter with and how can your small group best pray for you as you share? Answers will vary. 6
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