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Bible Study: Responding to Jesus’ Resurrection


NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.

Bible Passages: Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20

Discussion Questions:

  • What was the one question you dreaded being asked as you approached high school graduation?
  • How does the Resurrection of Jesus empower believers to tell others about Him and the life He wants them to live?

Food for thought:

A question faced by a high school graduate is determining what to do next. We can hardly enjoy the celebration because of the questions asked about our “what next” plans. College, vocational school or job hunt? Home or away? For some of us, we were just happy to make it to that day and had not thought much about the “what next.” Graduation became an end and a beginning all at the same time.

Seeing Jesus after His resurrection was no doubt a thrilling and glorious experience. However, Matthew quickly moved from the resurrection to the “what next.”

Jesus gave a specific command that is to be fulfilled by all His followers throughout all ages. He left us with a promise. The primary command is to make disciples. A disciple is one who seeks to follow actively and consistently the teaching of another. Jesus wants us to know Him personally, to follow His teachings and to help others do the same.

Disciples would come from all nations. Everyone needs the Gospel, and everyone should be given the opportunity to respond to it. We make disciples by going, baptizing and teaching. Going indicates a lifestyle. As we work, have lunch and conduct our daily activities, we are to make disciples. Baptizing and teaching further indicate the necessary steps involved in fulfilling His command. Jesus offered the promise to be with us always when we are doing His work. While circumstances can make us feel alone, Jesus promises that we will never be alone, especially when we are seeking to make a disciple.

The death, burial and Resurrection became an end and a beginning at the same time. Christ’s authority demonstrated in His Resurrection empowers believers to disciple others. We are commanded to make more disciples; it is not optional. Making disciples, sharing about Jesus and teaching others how to follow Him is assigned to every believer. We may do it in different ways based on our talents and giftedness, but that does not negate the assignment. Making disciples is our “what next” after expressing faith in the resurrected Jesus.

Explore the Bible

Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible.

    About the Author

  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources