The Way of Love #4 – Weekly Study Questions
The Resurrection
Easter 2026 – The Way of Love (CGS #4) – John 20
INTRODUCTION – The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most earth-changing event in human history. That’s not hyperbole. It completely changed the course of human history. The details are laid out in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and this week’s passage, John 20. In all four accounts there is one overwhelmingly clear message: Jesus didn’t stay dead, and when he came out of the grave, everything changed.
Fascinatingly, the first eyewitnesses to the empty grave are women (v. 1-2). In 1st century Judea, women were not considered reliable eyewitnesses. Why would all four gospel writers include this potentially embarrassing detail? Firstly, to announce the arrival of a new kingdom with new values. In Jesus’ kingdom, men and women are equally welcomed to worship and witness. Secondly, this detail lends credence to the reliability of the gospel account. If Jesus’ followers were inventing a story about his resurrection, would they have chosen women to be the first witnesses? Absolutely not. First century Judean men would’ve chosen men.
After the discovery of the empty grave, we get a sweet moment between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, whom he had healed of demon possession (Luke 8:2). In verses 11-15, a confused and despairing Mary is still weeping outside the tomb, and Jesus appears to her, but she doesn’t recognize him at first. When does she finally recognize him? When he calls her by name. All he has to say is “Mary,” and it clicks (v. 16). This should remind us of Jesus’ words in John 10:3-4: “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name… and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
The disciples, meanwhile, were hiding behind a locked door in fear (v. 19). But Jesus walks right in and announces his resurrection. The phrase, “the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord” (v. 20) is probably one of the bigger understatements in the Bible. It would be like attending a funeral for a dear friend, and then that friend bursts into the room, fully alive. They were probably still confused about what was happening, but at least their friend was back. Thomas–who is such an encouragement in seasons of doubt–refuses to believe that Jesus is back until he sees the Lord with his own eyes. When he does, his response is a model for all of us when we encounter the risen Christ: “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28)
At the end of chapter 20, John gives us the purpose statement for his Gospel: “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (v. 31). It all comes back to Jesus and his resurrection. If he didn’t really rise from the dead, then he isn’t worth listening to. If he stayed dead, then he and/or his followers were liars, all faith is in vain, and we really have no hope after death (1 Cor 15:12-20). But if he really did rise from the dead, if that tomb really was empty on Sunday morning, then you’d expect the world to look very different afterwards. You’d expect his followers to be radically changed from hiding in fear, to boldly speaking out in faith, even in the face of death. You’d expect the news of his resurrection to span the globe, introducing new kingdom values and breaking generational cycles of oppression and injustice. You’d expect his followers to pass on their faith to the next generation, who pass it on to the next generation, and on and on until today. In short, you’d expect something very similar to what we see today and in history.
The Bible was written so that you would believe in Jesus, and that by believing you would have life in his name. Have you believed? If so, your life will look radically different, because the resurrection changes everything.
GETTING STARTED – As a group, take time to answer this question: How has your life changed since you placed your faith in Christ?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It’s 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?
DISCUSS – Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following discussion questions:
- What did you hear God’s Spirit say to you through the passage this week? How does it encourage you? How does it sharpen you?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week? Have you enjoyed him? Have you heard his voice and the leading of his Spirit? Big ways or small ways.
- What were the disciples doing when Jesus appeared to them (v. 19)? Why were they afraid?
- Does Thomas’s skepticism in v. 25 give you any comfort? Have you ever been through seasons of doubt?
- What does v. 29 mean for us today?
- In v. 30-31, John tells us the purpose of his gospel. Think back or flip through the earlier chapters of John. Can you see how this purpose statement ties it all together?