Week 4

HOOK (2–3 minutes)

Walk up holding a phone.

Have you ever gotten a text that made your heart drop?

Like… you see it… and instantly you know something’s wrong.

Has that ever happened to you?

Now imagine getting a message that says… ‘He’s gone.’”

That’s what the disciples felt.

Over the past few weeks… we’ve watched Jesus get betrayed… hurt… nailed to a cross… and die.

And when He died… it felt like everything was over.

Have you ever thought something was going to turn out good… and then it didn’t?

That’s where the disciples were.

They thought: ‘He was the one… and now He’s gone.’

Okay, I need your help.

Close your eyes for 10 seconds.

(Yes — actually do it)

Imagine you’re at a funeral.

You saw the person die.

They’ve been gone for days.

Now imagine… they walk into the room.

Open your eyes.

You wouldn’t be calm.

You’d be freaking out.

And that’s exactly what happened…

Because Jesus didn’t stay dead.

Here’s what’s crazy… God told everyone this would happen before it happened.

Split the room: Left side = Psalm/Right side = Hosea

Have them listen for clues.

Read Psalm 16:9–11

Therefore my heart is glad

and my whole being rejoices;

my body also rests securely.

For you will not abandon me to Sheol;

you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.

You reveal the path of life to me;

in your presence is abundant joy;

at your right hand are eternal pleasures.

“What sounds like someone NOT staying dead?”(1–2 answers)

Read Hosea 6:2

He will revive us after two days,

and on the third day he will raise us up

so we can live in his presence.

Third day… sound familiar?

Read John 2:19

Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.”

Jesus literally told them… and they STILL didn’t get it.

Which honestly… we probably wouldn’t either.”

Let’s talk about Peter.

Have you ever messed up… and instantly regretted it?

Peter didn’t just mess up.

He denied even knowing Jesus.

Three times.

“And now Jesus is dead.”

“And Peter has to live with that.”

“Then everything changes.”

Read Luke 24:1–12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they[a] came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.

“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.

9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths.[b] So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

“The tomb is empty.”

“Jesus is alive.”

“Jesus beat death.”

“Death doesn’t win anymore.”

Read Romans 6:4

Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness[a] of life.

“What are things in life that feel final?”

Let them answer:

death

breakups

sickness

failure

“Because of Jesus…”

THAT IS NOT THE END.”

“THIS IS NOT THE END.”

Have them say it with you:

THIS IS NOT THE END.”

Again — louder.

Lower your voice.

“But here’s where most people stop.”

“Jesus rose… cool… moving on.”

But that’s not the full story.”

COMMUNION (MAKE IT TANGIBLE)

“Before Jesus died… He broke bread.”

“He said: ‘This is my body.’”

“This is my blood.”

“That means this wasn’t random.”

“He chose this.”

“Communion is a reminder that Jesus gave everything.”

“His body was broken.” “His blood was poured out.”

“Not because you’re good…”

“But because you needed Him.”

Lower your voice slightly.

“But we also need to understand something really important.”

“The Bible actually gives us a warning about communion.”

Read 1 Corinthians 11:27–28

So, then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sin against the body[a] and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself; in this way let him eat the bread and drink from the cup.

“Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way… is sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone should examine themselves before they eat.”

Immediately clarify:

“This does NOT mean you have to be perfect.”

“Because if that were true… none of us could take it.”

“What it DOES mean… is you don’t treat this like a joke.”

“It means you don’t grab it just because everyone else is.”

“It means you’re not messing around or ignoring what it means.”

“It means you stop… and you think.”

Say slowly:

“Jesus… do I really believe in You?”

“And am I trying to follow You?”

“If your answer is…”

“Yes… but I mess up sometimes…”

“That’s exactly who communion is for.”

“If your answer is…”

“I don’t really care… or I’m just going through the motions…”

“Then this is a moment to be honest — not to pretend.”

“Because communion is about remembering…”

“Jesus didn’t fake it for you.”

“So we don’t fake it with Him.”

Lift energy slightly again:

“And here’s what’s incredible…”

“Because of what Jesus did…”

ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

“Who here has ever heard the word ‘priest’?”

“Back then, only priests could talk to God for people.”

“Regular people couldn’t just go to God.”

“But Jesus changed that.”

Read 1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

“You are a royal priesthood.”

“Which means… YOU are the priest now.”

Walk closer to students.

“That means…”

“You can talk to God anytime”

“You can pray for your friends”

“You can help people know Jesus”

“When you walk into school…”

“You carry God with you.”

“So if you say you follow Jesus… but nothing about your life is different…”

“Then what are you actually following?”

(Let that sit — don’t rescue it too fast)

“This isn’t about being perfect.”

“It’s about being real.”

“And actually living like Jesus is alive.”

“Jesus didn’t rise so you could sit still.”

“He rose so you could live differently.”

“What is ONE thing you need to change this week?”

RESPONSE MOMENT (KEEP THIS QUIET)

“Close your eyes.”

“What is one way you can live like Jesus is alive this week?”

Pause 10–15 seconds.

CLOSING PRAYER

Keep it simple and strong:

“Jesus, thank You that You are alive. Help us not just hear this… but live it. Give us the courage to be different. Help us remember that we are chosen and called. Amen.”