D-GROUP GUIDE

His Great Work

Suggested Songs : My Redeemer Lives / Forever / Kingdom Come / This Kingdom / Halleluiah to the Lamb / One Way / Our Heart /

ORSHIP

Icebreaker:
Too Good to be True. What was the most unbelievable event you have ever witnessed? Convince your small group that it really happened. Why is it very difficult to tell others about your eyewitness account? What are you willing to do to convince them that it really happened? Connect this activity later to your discussion about the Resurrection of Jesus.

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SCRIPTURE PASSAGES: Matthew 28:1-20: [1] Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene
and the other Mary came to look at the grave. [2] And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. [3] And his appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow; [4] and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. [5] And the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. [6]"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. [7] "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you." [8] And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. [9] And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see Me." [11]Now while they were on their way, behold, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. [12] And when they had assembled with the elders and counseled together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, [13] and said, "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.'" [14] And if this should come to the governor's ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble." [15] And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day. [16] But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. [17]And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. [18]And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. [19]"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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What did we learn from Jesus Resurrection? 1. The Great Conquest. (vv.1-8) Jesus is risen just as He said it. We can take Him at His word that whatever He said which sounds too good to be true, is true. Jesus is not behind us in a tomb, but ahead of us in resurrection. We dont honor a corpse, but we hail a conqueror for He has conquered death and sin forever, our only hope to eternal life (1 Cor. 15:54-57). 2. The Great Corruption (vv.11-14) The chief priests connived with the Roman guards and attempted to corrupt the truth of the Resurrection, but corruption never wins in the long run. The Pharisees tried to hold Jesus for treachery, illegal trials, slander and bribery, but they failed because Jesus will not be held, He has no fault, He is blameless, and He will live on and on the truth will prevail (Luke 23:4, 41; John 11:25). 3. The Great Commission (vv.16-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47; John 20:19-21) Jesus met His disciples in Galilee to give His marching order to make disciples in His Name and authority. Jesus disciples received the power to live the rest of their life proclaiming the Gospel. They believed in the resurrection of Christ that they were willing to die for their faith. Jesus gives us today the same marching order to make disciples of all nations; what are we waiting for? We have His message, His power and He will be with us always (Acts 1:8).

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(Leaders: Please choose questions that are appropriate to the level of spiritual maturity of your members)

1. Empty Tomb. If you were one of the first to see the empty tomb of Jesus, i.e. the women, or the Roman guards, how would you feel? What does the empty tomb of Jesus mean to you today? Why?

2. Resurrection and Return. What happens between Jesus Resurrection and His Return? What is the significant part of the followers of Jesus who live in between these two milestones? How are you doing your part as a follower of the resurrected Jesus before His return?

3. Show and Tell. How would you show and tell the importance of Jesus resurrection to the people around you? Would they see the risen Christ in your life? Explain your answer.

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4. Do not be afraid. Why do you think Jesus said, do not be afraid in Matthew 28:10? What other verses did Jesus say to His disciples, do not fear? What are your fears today? Why are you afraid of them? What can you learn from the resurrection of Jesus that will help you conquer your fears? Explain your answer.

5. It is done! Religion says, do this, do that; Christianity says, its DONE and COMPLETE! What makes the difference between religion and Christianity? Which one would you embrace and follow? Why?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY: The Great Commission

Each One Reach One! Remember the people who made significant impact in your life that brought you to a living and loving relationship with Jesus. List down their names and give thanks to God for them in your prayer time. Ask God how you can be like them to others. Send them a short thanksgiving letter this week. Also, write a simple thank you note like, Thank You Lord, for _____, put the name of the person who helped you come and grow in Jesus. Post this in your blogsite, social network sites, shout-out walls, or right in your office cube or your personal bulletin board at home or workplace, where some people can see and read your post. Be ready to answer when somebody asks you, who is that person you are thanking God for, and why are you thankful for him/her. Grab that bridging opportunity to reach out this person who asks you, to share the love of God through Jesus, and how it changed your life like never before. God knows this prayer thanksgiving will ripple to move this person next. Nobody But You. Encourage each other in your dgroup. Let everyone write his/her name on a piece of paper. Then pass your paper to your right so that each one will hold the paper of the person before him/her. Let each one write one specific quality or gifting of the person whose name is on the paper, that you believe can help him/her bring others to come and grow in faith in Jesus. Example: sweet smile, cheerful attitude, servant heart, generosity, integrity, eloquence, writing skills, sociability, etc. Repeat this by passing the paper to your right again, until the paper is back to you. Read and reflect on these specific encouraging words and descriptions from your dgroup, and pray that God will use you to reach out to share the gospel of the risen Christ to others.
Vol. 10, No. 117 April 11, 2010

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