Break the ice. Do you have any Easter weekend traditions?

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Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

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Discuss the text. In our passage this week, Paul addresses the Corinthian church’s skepticism regarding the resurrection. Many Greeks viewed bodily death as final, and this view likely influenced their belief about what happens after death. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul addresses a very important doctrine, the resurrection from the dead.

The truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our Christian faith: “as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22). In our passage this week, Paul argues that without the Resurrection there would be no hope. The gospel would be a futile and empty message, and Christians would be pitied. But because Christ has been raised, we proclaim the gospel is true!

1. How would you describe Easter to someone who asks, “What is Easter all about?”
2. What might be some implications of a Messiah who died and stayed dead? How does denying Jesus Christ’s resurrection completely change the gospel?
3. How would you answer someone who claims Christianity is a good religious option even if the Resurrection did not occur?
4. Why are Christians without hope if Christ did not rise from the dead?
5. What does a life that is characterized by hope look like?

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Close in prayer. Father, I praise You that Christ died for all sin. That atonement never needs to happen again. It was made once and for all. My faith is not futile, and I am not still in my sin. I thank You that I have been reconciled to You by the death of Your Son, and now that I am reconciled, I will be saved by His life and raised to life with Him because He is risen! I rejoice in You through Christ, through whom I have now received reconciliation. You are making all things new and completing my joy. I thank you in Christ’s name. Amen.