sign in sign up
<<
Home , John 20

TITLE: The Power of the Resurrection SCRIPTURE: John 20:19-31

BIG IDEA: This section is ’ fifth appearance on the Sunday of His resurrection; the second recorded appearance in John’s account. Here, He appears behind locked doors to a fearful group of disciples. Jesus’ presence post-resurrection is the embodiment of the peace that He promised to His disciples earlier in this account (see :27 and :33). A certain , Thomas, was missing at Jesus’ first appearance to His disciples but ends up having his own come to Jesus moment, eventually declaring Jesus truly was Lord. These events depict the power of Jesus’ resurrection, and the reach it would ultimately have on the world.

1. PEACE BROUGHT BY GRACE; GRACE MOTIVATES GOING – READ John 20:19-23; Gen 2:7; Ezek 37:7-10 CONTEXT: Jesus appears to the downtrodden, heartbroken, and fear filled disciples. His presence amidst them represented His victory over sin, Satan, and death, and it ignited gladness in their hearts. As grace infused their hearts, Jesus symbolically breathes on them. This signified the pending indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This would be the mobilization of the Church, to spread the gospel of Jesus to the world so that they may believe and have life in Jesus.

A. Describe fear and the negative toll it can take on someone. Give examples. B. Describe peace and the blessing it can be to someone. Give examples. C. Describe grace and its necessity for the believer every day. Give examples. D. Why do peace and grace motivate a Christ Follower to share the gospel with others? Are you sharing God’s grace with others? Explain. E. Discuss this statement: “the Spirit in us is better than Jesus beside us.”

2. THOMAS’ TRANSFORMATION – READ John 20:24-29; :16; John 14:5 CONTEXT: Thomas excludes himself from the group. Thomas, a natural pessimist and currently distraught, missed Jesus bringing peace, grace, and mission to the disciples in His post-resurrection appearance. Though Thomas struggled with disbelief, Jesus shows Himself, specifically to Thomas, and Thomas declares Him as Lord and God.

A. In what negative ways do we respond to difficult seasons? What are positive ways to respond to difficult seasons? B. Thomas walked alongside Jesus while Jesus lived; but it was not until this post-resurrection encounter that Thomas declared Jesus his Lord and God. What is the difference between being a “Christian” versus making Jesus Lord of your life? In what areas of your life do you need to recognize Him as Lord?

3. JOHN DEPICTS THE PURPOSE OF HIS BOOK – READ John 20:30-31 CONTEXT: Jesus’ interaction with Thomas is the epitome of John’s gospel account. John summarizes the overarching theme of the book in verses 30-31, but his depicting Thomas’ transformation from unbelief to belief is the visual representation of John’s purpose in writing this gospel letter: that you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

4. PRAYER & ACTION A. PRAYER: Ask God to instill peace and grace in your heart. Ask Him to make you aware of all the benefits that come from His resurrection power and the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within you. B. ACTION: Go and tell. Keep going and telling. Recount God’s goodness in your life and reflect on the power of His resurrection in your own life, and then share it with others. Additionally, begin inviting your friends and family to our Christmas Eve services.