March 31, 2024 – EASTER – 1 Corinthians 15

Lesson Date: March 31, 2024 – EASTER

Focal Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-22

AIM: To lead students to recognize the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to their personal lives, and to lead them to either (a) receive Christ as their risen Savior or (b) thank Him for purchasing their salvation with His blood and proving that fact with His resurrection.

Before class: Bring a book to class for the introductory activity.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Welcome everyone (especially guests) and wish them a happy Easter.

Take a book, hold it out at arm’s length, and let go of it.  Ask: “What happened when I let go of the book?” (it fell to the floor).  Ask: “What law of nature did that exercise demonstrate?” (the law of gravity).

Ask: “Do you believe in the law of gravity?” (yes).  Ask: “Why do you believe in the law of gravity?” (for two reasons: first, it was taught to us as a fact; and second, we have personally experienced and witnessed its effects).  Ask: “Have you ever fallen down or dropped something?  If so, you have experienced the law of gravity first-hand.”

Ask: “What difference does the law of gravity make in our daily lives?” (it causes things to stay where we put them, it makes water run downhill, it causes rivers to run down to the ocean, and rain to fall to the ground).  Ask: “How would our lives be different without gravity?” (we would not be able to walk, drive a car, or sit at a desk; our food would not stay on our plate and our drink would not stay in our glass).  Tell the class that gravity is also important to our physical health; astronauts in orbit around the earth must exercise two hours a day to keep their muscles and bones from becoming weak.

Tell the students that today’s lesson is about a fact that is just as true as the law of gravity.  Tell them that just like the law of gravity, it is a fact that could be witnessed and is very important.

Write the words, “Fact,” “Witnesses,” and “Importance” on the board.

Tell the class that the title of today’s lesson is Why Does the Resurrection Matter?  Tell them we will learn about the fact of Jesus’ resurrection, those who personally witnessed it, and the importance of the resurrection to our lives today.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (The First Step; we began our study of Proverbs, discovering the first step to living wisely and being blessed by God).
   • Ask if anyone would recite last week’s memory verse (Prov. 1:7).
   • Tell the class that today we are departing from our study of Proverbs for an Easter lesson from 1 Corinthians 15; ask everyone to turn there.
2. The Fact of the Resurrection.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:1-2.
   • Ask: “What did Paul declare unto his readers?” (the Gospel that he had previously preached to them).
   • Ask: “What does verse 2 say the Gospel can do for us?” (save us).
   • Tell the class in verses 1-2 Paul reminded his readers that he proclaimed the Gospel to them, and in verses 3-4 he defined the Gospel.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
   • Ask the class to identify the three main points of the Gospel (Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose to life again).
   • Explain the following:
     • The phrase, “according to the scriptures,” reminds us that all these things were prophesied in the Bible long before Jesus came into the world.
     • Direct everyone’s attention to the word “Fact” written on the board and tell them verses 1-4 refer to the fact of the resurrection.
     • Jesus’ resurrection is described in more detail in the Gospels, and referenced many other times in the New Testament.
     • Also, ancient secular historians attest to the fact of Jesus’ resurrection.
   • Summarize: The resurrection of Jesus Christ, like the law of gravity, is a fact.
3. The Witnesses of the Resurrection.
   • Read 1 Corinthians 15:5-11.
   • Direct everyone’s attention to the word “Witnesses” written on the board.
   • Tell the class these verses identify some of the witnesses of Christ’s resurrection – people who had first-hand experience with and personally saw Jesus after He arose from the dead.
   • Ask: “According to verse 5, who saw Jesus alive after His resurrection?” (Peter and the rest of the remaining twelve disciples).
   • Ask: “According to verse 6, who saw Jesus alive after His resurrection?” (more than 500 people at one time).
   • Ask: “According to verse 7, who saw Jesus alive after His resurrection?” (James and all the apostles).
   • Ask: “According to verse 8, who saw Jesus alive after His resurrection?” (the Apostle Paul).
   • Stress the fact that these people were among the multitudes who literally saw Jesus Christ alive in His physical body after He was crucified, buried, and resurrected.
   • Remind the students about the law of gravity.
   • Explain the following:
     • We were taught about the fact of gravity in school, just as the Bible teaches us the fact that Jesus Christ arose from the dead.
     • No one has to convince us of the truth of the law of gravity, because we have personally witnessed it and felt its force.
     • The people listed in these verses (along with many others) could testify to the truth of the resurrection because they personally witnessed
   • Summarize: There were many witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, just like we all have witnessed the effects of gravity.
4. The Importance of the Resurrection.
   • Direct everyone’s attention to the word “Importance” written on the board.
   • Tell the students the rest of the verses we will study today tell about the importance of Christ’s resurrection.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:12-13.
   • Explain the following:
     • Some people in Paul’s day denied the truth of the resurrection, just as some foolish people today deny that the earth is round.
     • Remind the class of the introductory activity in which you dropped the book.
     • Just as we discussed the importance of the law of gravity by describing what our lives would be like without it, the next several verses tell how our lives would be different if Jesus Christ had not risen from the dead.
   • Read 1 Corinthians 15:14-19.
   • Ask: “According to verse 14, how would our lives be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead?” (our preaching and our faith would be vain and useless).
   • Ask: “According to verse 15, how would our lives be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead?” (we would be liars for saying that He is alive).
   • Ask: “According to verse 17, how would our lives be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead?” (we would still be in our sins).
   • Ask: “According to verse 18, how would our lives be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead?” (those who died believing in Jesus would all be in hell).
   • Ask: “According to verse 19, how would our lives be different if Jesus had not risen from the dead?” (we would be the most miserable people on earth, living for and trusting in something that is false).
   • Explain that just as physical life would be impossible without gravity, eternal life would be impossible if Christ had not risen from the dead.
   • Tell the class that gravity affects everything physical, and the resurrection of Jesus affects everything spiritual.
   • Summarize: Just as gravity is vitally important to physical life, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is vitally important (essential, in fact) to spiritual life.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the students that the title of today’s lesson is Why Does the Resurrection Matter?

Ask a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:20-22.  Tell the class these verses summarize the importance of the resurrection.

Explain the following:

• Through Adam, man brought death into the world.
• Everyone who is still “in Adam” is spiritually dead.
• Jesus Christ brought spiritual life into the world.
• Everyone who is “in Christ” is alive forever.

Tell the class that everyone is born “in Adam.”  Ask: “How do we change from being ‘in Adam’ to being ‘in Christ’?” (by admitting and turning away from our sins and trusting Jesus to save us).

Tell the students that everyone on earth is either “in Adam” or “in Christ;” in fact, everyone in this room is either “in Adam” or “in Christ.”  Ask: “Which are you?  Are you ‘in Adam’ and therefore spiritually dead, or are you ‘in Christ’ and therefore spiritually alive?”

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Encourage any who are still “in Adam” (unsaved) to turn from their sins and trust Jesus Christ as their risen Savior and Lord.  Encourage everyone who is already “in Christ” (saved) to thank Him for purchasing their salvation with His blood and proving that fact through the resurrection.

Allow a moment for private prayer, and then voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Offer to stay after class to speak with anyone who might have questions about trusting Jesus as Savior.  Tell everyone to look for opportunities this week to tell others about the importance of Christ’s resurrection.