Lifeway teaching insight

Lifeway's Internet Producer, Dan Kassis, sends out a weekly email with lesson commentary. I reproduced this week's version below for those of you who do not receive his mail.

Happy Easter!
RW

Unit: Growth of Faith
Lesson: Celebrating Easter's Significance
Scriptures: John 20:1-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

We take a break from our study of Genesis this week to celebrate our Lord Jesus' victory over death and fulfillment of prophecy in His sacrifice on a cross and resurrection from a tomb. Our lesson takes a look at both a gospel account of Jesus' resurrection and the apostle Paul's affirmation to the Corinthian church of this critical teaching.

It is apparently not enough to the world that Jesus suffered for our sins. He now has to suffer a decreasing level of significance in society. During the enlightenment period, philosophers doubted the gospels. In the 20th century, scientists doubted the creation account. Today academicians doubt everything the Bible says. We have come to a point in the 21st century when the very belief in God is being attacked by modern atheists with publishing deals and speaking tours.

Even Christians who attend Sunday School and Bible studies are prone to influence from the constant barrage against Jesus from the media - and sadly from some church pulpits. But the absolute, verifiable, and undeniable truth of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are just as significant today as they were when the events unfolded before eyewitnesses. As you teach this lesson, you must communicate to your learners that Easter is a time to celebrate Jesus. This is also a great opportunity to ensure that all who attend your class session have made their own decisions to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Reading the eyewitness account of Jesus' resurrection in John 20, one perceives the depth of hope these people had put in their Teacher. Notice the way Peter and John ran to the tomb. Picture Mary weeping just outside the entrance. When she believes that the "gardener" has removed Jesus' body from the tomb, she resolutely states that she will take Him away. That one woman could have carried a body by herself is unlikely - but this only illustrates her determination to honor Jesus. The way she clings to the Lord when she finally recognizes Him further enforces this fact. What are the depths of the hope your learners have placed in Jesus? Easter Sunday is the perfect day to challenge them to rededicate their hearts fully to the Lord.

Paul's proclamation in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 is one of the earliest writings that support the death, burial, bodily resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. On page 34 of Lee Strobel's excellent book, The Case for Christ (Zondervan, 1998), Denver Seminary professor Dr. Craig Blomberg is quoted as remarking that this creed can be dated to within two to five years after Jesus' resurrection. There is no way any skeptic could credibly refute the historicity of these apostolic claims. The faith we place in Jesus is a rock-solid faith based on fact. This is a wonderful truth to communicate to your learners on Resurrection Sunday!

Have you taken time lately to think about the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection? In what specific ways will you celebrate your new life in Christ?