Bible Study - MATTHEW KING AND KINGDOM: Easter Seals
Sermon-Based Bible Study – April 17, 2022
- What is something God has done for you that you are thankful for? What is something you are celebrating? How have you experienced God’s love and faithfulness this week?
- Where are you experiencing stress, anxiety or discouragement? How would you like to see God move in your life or in the life of someone close to you?
- What did you hear in this week’s sermon that was new or particularly interesting? Did anything stand out to you as puzzling or troubling?
- Read Matthew 27:52-66. Why was the tomb of Jesus sealed and guarded? Why do you think the religious leaders referred to Jesus as the “deceiver” in this passage? What was the “first deception?” The religious leaders knew Jesus had promised to rise on the third day. Do you think they knew he had predicted that they, the religious leaders, would hand him over to Rome to be crucified?
- Read Matthew 28:1-10 and Romans 1:4. What is the significance of the stone being rolled away as far as Rome is concerned? What is the significance of the stone being rolled away for the women at the tomb? . What does the writer of the Roman letter believe is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection?
- Why would someone like C.S. Lewis argue that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic or Lord? What do the things Jesus said about his death and resurrection have to do with the argument?
- What does the resurrection of Jesus mean for you? Does it make any difference to you in regard to how you understand or regard who He is? Why? Do you regard Jesus as one who is worthy of worship? What impact does the resurrection of Jesus have in regard to how you view his teachings on the character and priorities of God? His teaching on meaning of his death? His teaching on how to live? His teaching on the meaning of our deaths?
- What’s your seal? What is it that’s marked you? What is it that has a bit too much ownership of your life? What is it that has a bit too much authority over your life? What is it that you’re stuck behind – that has you sealed in? Jesus is in the business of breaking seals and allowing us to sit on top of what we used to be stuck behind as a testimony to His power. What does it mean to let the resurrection power of Jesus have you?
- What is a simple, next step you could take in obedience to what the Spirit is saying to you through this time in the Word? Who would benefit, or be interested in hearing about what you’ve learned in this study?