Grow Guide | March 31, 2024
Easter
Reading: Mark 16:1-8
Connecting Questions
Tell about a defining moment in your life.
What makes Holy Week “holy” for you?
Prayer for Illumination
Lord God, You have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Context
He is Risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia. In some of the earliest versions of Mark, the gospel ends here. It ends with running away and fear with no resurrection account. Somehow, the word still got out! The story still got told, in spite of fear and confusion. The risen Lord still made himself known. There are always reasons to be afraid or feel uncertain. Jesus gives us a reason for hope. This is the story we’ll tell! Focus in on what we receive as people of faith and how we are called to share this with others. How we will use those attributes to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. Come explore the many opportunities to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ at Easter. So glad you are here!
From Pastor Paul Berge at EntertheBible.org:
Mark’s Gospel concludes with an empty tomb and a promise to the women who discover it that Jesus “is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” But these women do not say anything to anyone, because of their terror and amazement.
Look at the Book
Open to Mark 1:14-15. As Jesus begins his ministry, what is his key theme?
Jump to Mark 16. This is the other bookend of the Gospel.
Name the three women present. Notice, last week, what was the name of the woman who anointed Jesus’s feet?
What were the group of women’s plans for that day? When did they go?
What was the key question they were asking in verse 3?
What two emotions are named in verses 4 and 5?
The “young man” is not Jesus but an angel. In Greek, angel is connected to the same word that means “messenger.” What was the angel’s message?
What was the angel’s message when Jesus was born to the shepherds in Luke 2?
In verse six, there are six simple statements. Circle them all. What phrase stands out most to you?
“He has been raised;” why is this good news? Read Romans 6:3-5; how is that connected to this story?
What is the encouragement of verse 7 to do? Who are the first preachers of Jesus being raised from the dead?
What’s a memory of celebrating Easter that you have?
In verse 8, what are the disciple’s emotions? Why?
Why does the Gospel end like this?
Our theme words for this week are fear, hope, trust. Which spoke to you today? Why?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
Easter is the defining story for Christians. Why does Easter give you hope?
How does Easter matter for how we live today? What can it influence?
God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.