Mark 15:40-16:8 Study 6: the Resurrection of Jesus

Mark 15:40-16:8 Study 6: The resurrection of Jesus

Aim of the study: Understand that Jesus resurrected from the dead and what response he wants from us

Part 1: Discussion Question: If you saw an empty tomb where Jesus should be buried, how would you have responded?

Part 2: Read the passage

Suggested thing to say: In our passage today, we will see the conclusion to Mark’s gospel. Jesus was crucified but he didn’t remain dead. Three days later, he rose from the dead!

Part 3: Suggested questions and explanation

1. Suggested thing to say: In this passage, we are going to look at the responses of a few people: Mary Magdeline and Mary the mother of James. These women followed Jesus.

15:42-47

2. Question: How do we know that Jesus really died? Answer: Joseph of Arimathea – a member of the council had put him in a tomb and had wrapped him in linen shroud and laid him in a tomb. Pilate also confirms that he has died.

3. Suggested thing to say: Take a look at what the women saw. In v40, they saw from a distance that Jesus had died on the cross. In v 47, they saw that Jesus was laid in a tomb.

16:1-8

4. Suggested thing to say: the women thought that Jesus had died and so they are bringing spices to anoint the body. However, they have a huge shock! They find an empty tomb!

5. Question: what are some of the amazing things that have occurred at the tomb? Answers/Suggested things to say:

V 3-4 The very large stone had been rolled away!

V5 There was a young man sitting there and he tells them that Jesus has risen!

6. Question: Look back at some of the verses in Mark previously. What did Jesus say about himself after he dies?

14:28. Jesus predicts that he will go to Galilee when he resurrects. The angel says the same thing! 8:31 Jesus predicts that after being killed, 3 days later he will rise again.

Discussion: what does it show you about Jesus if he knew that he would be able to conquer even death itself?

7. Question: Let’s think about the women’s response. Look back to the episode involving Jairus’ daughter. What were the two possible reactions to Jesus then (in 5:36)? Answer: Faith or fear

8. Question: How do the women respond? Answer: They responded in fear and they did not tell anyone.

9. Question: How do you think the women should have responded? How would you respond if you saw that Jesus really had resurrected from the dead? Answer: I would listen to the angel/man and tell people about this miracle!

Summary: What happened to Jesus after his crucifixion? How should we respond?

Discussion 10. Question: How does the resurrection validate all of Jesus’ big claims about himself?

11. Question: Think about the arguments against Christianity. Do any of the arguments centre around Jesus’ resurrection? How would you go about disproving a religion that is centred on the resurrection of a man?

12. Question: How do you want to respond to Jesus? In fear or in faith?