The events leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection were vitally important in the scope of human history, but they were also profoundly impacting for the human beings who experienced them. People like the disciples, Pontius Pilate, Mary, the soldiers guarding the tomb, and many more. Those events can still impact us today—if we let them.
So gather your entire church family for a time of searching the soul this Easter season.
Note: The different formats for each piece of the campaign are bundled as follows: one PDF for all four weeks of preaching material, one PDF for all four weeks of Bible study material, one Powerpoint presentation for all four weeks, and one Microsoft Word document for the bulletin insert.
Session One
The Dinner Guests of God
Communion—the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist—is a powerful experience. It is a meal that touches the soul. During this Lenten season, most churches partake in Communion. As we study Matthew 26, we look at the story that gives rise to our observance of the Lord's Supper. This passage helps us see what makes Communion such a uniquely significant meal.
Session Two
The Faces of Failure
This week's Scripture passage covers the stories of three failures—Peter, Judas, and Pilate. And they are painful to hear. The consequences were staggering. What's more, none of them would have failed had it not been for Jesus. In fact, you might say that there's a sense in which Jesus brings out the worst in people. Jesus is good and gracious, holy and mighty, but he is surely not safe to have around!
Session Three
Four Ironies of the Cross
As Matthew relates the story of Jesus' crucifixion, the theme that runs through all the details is rejection. Not only did people fail to see the value of Jesus, they also didn't understand the value of his death. This study will track this trail of rejection so that we can avoid being so blind.
Session Four
Resurrection Watchers
Robert Russell, pastor of Southeastern Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, told about sitting behind a 5-year-old boy at their church's Easter pageant a few years ago. The boy was enthralled. Russell said, "When the crucifixion scene took place, he got real quiet. But then Jesus came back from the grave, and there was a song of celebration, and his eyes lit up. He looked at his mother and said, 'He's alive, Mom. He's alive!' and began to clap. And he hugged her around the neck."
Wouldn't it be great to see the Resurrection with new eyes?
