Easter at The Cove 2023
Leader Guide
The story of Jesus—His death and His Resurrection—is well known. For some, Easter is just another holiday to remember a great man. Yet Easter makes everything whole. It brings freedom from guilt; it opens the door to real life; and is the only way to eternal salvation. It all starts with acknowledging the penalty of sin and the payment Jesus made on our behalf. It continues as we begin to live in the hope and assurance that our God can give us a clean slate. Nothing is impossible for our God.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What is your favorite way to celebrate Easter? How do you honor Jesus in the Easter season?
2. Read Matthew 28:1-6. What encouragement / advice can we gain from the women who went to the tomb? What caused the earthquake? How does this passage (vs 2 and 4) silence the conspiracy theory (Matthew 28:11-15) that Jesus’ disciples stole His body? What comfort and reminders do we need to hear from the angel, just as the women did?
Leader’s Note: Even amid their grief and confusion, the women got up early and kept going, doing what they could. The angel caused the earthquake as he was rolling the stone away. Note, it had been sealed with a roman seal and a guard placed around it. The angel comforts them: don’t be afraid and also reminds them that Jesus keeps His Word!
3. Read Matthew 28:7-10. What were the women told to do? How did they obey? What conflicting emotions did they have? How does this reassure your fear? What reward did they receive for their obedience?
Leader’s Note: They quickly hurried away from the tomb. A key component of obedience is doing it immediately, not arguing or delaying. They went with both fear and joy. But Jesus understood that fear and reassured them again when they were blessed to be the first to see Him!
4. Read Matthew 28:17 and John 20:26-29. For the believer and “not yet believer” alike, what comfort does this bring you? How does Jesus treat Thomas? What promise is for all believers who come after Jesus left the earth?
Leader’s Note: All of us have some doubt. Some people actually had the privilege of seeing Jesus in His resurrected body; some worshipped AND doubted. Thomas has a bit of an excuse: he only heard that the others had seen Jesus. But Jesus was patient and compassionate, proving Himself to Thomas. He further promises that the believers in the centuries and generations since, who never saw Him in the flesh, yet believe, are blessed! (Thomas had not seen Him risen, but He had walked and talked with Jesus, hearing about the death and Resurrection from Jesus Himself!)
5. Read Mark 10:17-27. What one thing did the young man need to do? Do you know what your “one thing” is? Did you participate by writing either burdens and shames, or what “one thing” God has asked you to do or not do? Do you have a plan to follow through? Have you told someone?
Leader’s Note: Jesus saw the young man's heart and that is was tied to his riches. Jesus loved him, had compassion on him, and asked him to leave it all and follow Him. But the young man was unwilling because his money had a grip on him. There is definitely something that vies for the place of God in each of our lives. And Jesus will ask us to lay down that one thing, even if it is shame or a similar burden, our kids, or our stuff.
6. Action Step: Read Colossians 2:14-15. Has Jesus cancelled your debt? Is there anything which weighs you down, for which you do not feel forgiven? Is there a person you need to share this Good News with? Share with your Life Group so they can pray together for that person.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
7. Genesis 3:14-15: Who is the serpent? Who is “her offspring”? How do the last two lines apply to the crucifixion?
Leader Notes: The serpent represents Satan and sin, but there is also animosity between the actual snake in addition to man and evil. “Her offspring” is all mankind and the future generations, and ultimately Jesus. The “bruise the heel” refers to the death of Christ on the cross (a momentary bite/pain) but the “crushing of the head” represents Jesus’ ultimate defeat of Satan and sin through the Resurrection.
8. Psalm 22:1,7-8, 14, 15: Why did Jesus quote this scripture on the cross? How do we see Jesus fulfill these prophecies described in the 22nd Psalm?
Leader Notes: Jesus quoted this Scripture because He was experiencing separation from God the Father for the first time in His existence. However, we can also see that he is pointing us back to the prophecy, “that the Scriptures should be fulfilled.”
9. Exodus 12:3, 5, 7-8, 12-13, 46 and Psalm 34:20: In what ways does Jesus resemble the Passover Lamb? List as many as you see.
10. Psalm 16:8-11 and Acts 2:31-32: In Acts, Peter quotes King David’s Psalm. What is the promise here?
11. Matthew 12:38-40: What is “the sign of Jonah”? Who made this claim?
Leader Notes: Jesus told them they would see the "sign of Jonah." We see that even Jonah’s experience was a hidden prophecy. Jonah was swallowed and submerged for three days, then was spit out (came back to life!). In the same way, Jesus was swallowed by death for three days before He was resurrected.
12. John 11:23-27: What did Jesus Himself promise? How do you feel about this bold statement? How has it changed your life and future?
13. Psalm 103:8-13, Isaiah 43:25 and 44:22, and Micah 7:18-19: What personal benefit of the death and Resurrection of Jesus do you experience in these verses?
Leader: these verses all speak to the complete forgiveness of God for us, not because of our sacrifices but because of His love for us. Notice He doesn’t repay us for our sins. We know Jesus did that. He has “redeemed” us... through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who paid for us with His blood.