Way to Life-Lesson 11 with notes and answers2

Jesus’ Victory over Death

Luke 24

Primary aim:

To discuss the reality and importance of the resurrection of Jesus while affirming to the students that doubt is natural, but unnecessary, and to challenge the students to accept salvation through repentance and faith in Christ.

Secondary aims:

To challenge the students to tell others about Jesus.

To help the students understand the Promise of the Holy Spirit, and to stir a hunger in their hearts to receive this Promise from God.

Introduction:

You know that you are going to die. How does that fact make you feel?
Why must all people die?
What would you do if someone told you that they saw a dead person come back to life?

Vocabulary:

The Eleven (9, 33) – These are the original twelve disciples except for Judas who betrayed Jesus, and killed himself.

Prophet (19) – A prophet is a spokesperson for God.

Redeem Israel (21) -- They had hoped that Jesus would set the Jewish nation of Israel free from the domination of the Roman Empire.

Christ (25, 46) – The Christ was the redeemer God promised to send the Jews. They had waited hundreds of years for him.

Scriptures (27, 32, 45) – The Scriptures refers to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms (44), the Old Testament of the Bible.

Simon (34) – Also known as Simon Peter, he was one of the twelve disciples (or apostles). He was a leader among them.

Repentance (47) – To repent is to change your mind, or to turn your life away from sin to follow God.

Discussion:

What would you have done if you were among the women who found the empty tomb and saw the angels? (verses 2 – 5)

Just a question for discussion’s sake.

Why do you think the travelers on the road did not recognize Jesus? (verse 16)

The travelers were kept from recognizing Jesus because they did not yet believe the Word of God. It is impossible to see Jesus, to know God, without faith, which comes through revelation. We must believe if we are to know God.

What did Jesus do that opened the eyes of the two travelers to his identity? Why would that action make them recognize Jesus? (verses 30 – 31)

Breaking the bread, and thanking God. There is the reference to the Last Supper, but the students may not be aware of this connection. If you have time, you might want to point that out. Also, there is the simple fact that Jesus was relating to God. This is the essence of Jesus’ teaching; how to relate to God. When Jesus talked to God, there was no doubt as to his true identity. If you have time read Luke 22:19-20.

So then, what finally convinced them that Jesus rose from the dead? See Luke 24:30-45, 50-53.

Their hearts were burning within them as they walked with Jesus on the road and he spoke the scriptures to them, vs. 32; Jesus himself stood among them and talked with them, vs. 36-40; He ate a fish, vs 41-43;

(this is more central to answer) He opened their minds so that they could understand the scriptures, vs 45.

What do you think they meant when they said that their hearts were burning within them? Have you ever felt this? (verse 32)

This is an experiential question. Share a testimony of your own. Students may be feeling the Word burning within them as you are discussing, try to get them to share that and point them to the fact that the Holy Spirit is working in their hearts.

What does Acts 2:22-32 teach about the Christ? (Acts 2:22-32 is taken from Psalms 16:8-11).

This passage is a quote from Psalms 16:8-11 and teaches that it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Jesus and that God would not allow His holy one to see decay. And that Jesus was sent from God to die.

Jesus knew the disciples had doubts. What does Jesus say and do about those doubts? How does he prove that he is truly alive? (verses 37 – 43)

Jesus does not condemn the doubting disciples, but answers their questions, showing them that there is no reason to doubt, and that it is silly to have such doubts. When Jesus says something, when the Scriptures say something, God will be faithful, and bring it to pass.

What was the assignment Jesus gave to the disciples before he returned to heaven? (verses 46 – 49)

(Be Quick on this one) This question is not essential, but a secondary aim of the study. The disciples were commissioned to spread the message of Jesus. If you have the time, discuss this question and encourage students to share the Good News of Christ, and to invite their friends to ISF, even if they have not yet made a decision for Christ.

What do you think this power from on high is? (verse 49) See Acts 2:32-33.

C/R Acts 2:13; (they were accused of being drunk with wine). How many here have been drunk with wine?

This is another nonessential question, as it also is a secondary aim of the study. If you have the time, and/or the Spirit is prompting you to discuss this question, point to the promise in Joel 2 and its fulfillment in Acts 2. Try to stir a hunger within the students for the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The disciples worshiped Jesus when He returned to heaven. What does this say about the identity of Jesus? Would you worship Jesus? (verse 52)