Easter Sunday – Study Questions
Nothing’s the Same Anymore
Luke 24:1-29
INTRODUCTION: Luke’s account of the events at the tomb in verses 2–3 abbreviates Mark and Matthew, focusing on the action leading to the climax in “Lord Jesus.” There are no details on the stone rolled away, stressing the results, as the tomb is now open so the women can crawl in. There was normally a three-foot opening with a stone into a groove (to protect from grave robbers), but the stone had been removed. The women would have to crawl through the opening in order to enter with the spices. When they enter, they find the tomb empty, without any body in the tomb. Note the progression—“they found the stone … did not find the body.” We are in the midst of the most remarkable set of events in human history, and the culminating miracle has already taken place without their knowledge. Even after all of Jesus’ predictions that his death would lead to his resurrection, the women and the disciples are waiting for nothing, caught up in their grief. Angels rolled away the stone (Matt 28:2–4), and they are now awaiting the women.[1]
Luke’s account of the resurrection is steeped in irony. There is so much evidence of the resurrection, yet, they all (especially the male disciples) keep missing it. The empty tomb with its stone door rolled away, the angels, the women’s testimony, Peter’s confirmation of the empty tomb, the disciples from the road to Emmaus, heck, he was in front of them and invited them to touch him… and, they still weren’t convinced! What would it have taken to convince you of the resurrection if you were there? What about the larger truth that the resurrection proclaims? The truth that if Jesus has risen, nothing has to be the same.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, share about what evidence it took in your life to convince you that Jesus was the only one who could save, rescue, and restore you? Or, talk about how following Jesus is making a difference in your life today.
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
[1] Grant R. Osborne, Luke: Verse by Verse, ed. Jeffrey Reimer, Elliot Ritzema, and Danielle Thevenaz, Awa Sarah, Osborne New Testament Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018), 560–561.