Lesson Nine

LESSON 9: THE CRUCIFIXION AND THE RESURRECTION

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: MARK 15:1-16:20

17:33

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LESSON OBJECTIVES

Students will identify that Jesus died and came back to life so he could forgive sins and grant eternal life to everyone who believes in him.

Students will discover that Jesus calls us to trust in him and share his message with others.

SCRIPTURE BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

The Centurion’s Confession:

The confession of the Roman centurion is very significant in t least two ways. First, it highlights a major theme of the book: that Jesus is the Son of God. Second, it demonstrates that Jesus’ mission is to save non-Jews as well. It has always been part of God’s plan to save people from all nations and bring them into his kingdom.

Resurrection:

Gentiles did believe in ghosts, but no one believed people came back to life in a physical body. Jews believed in resurrection, but this was thought to take place at the end of the world. Thus, Jesus rising from the dead is very significant. New creation has now begun with Jesus Christ.

INSTRUCTION

WELCOME & REVIEW

Today marks the last lesson in our study. Before we continue, let us do a quick review of what we have learnt.

This has been a great study of the kingdom of God from the Gospel of Mark.

Can someone give a highlight from any of the lessons? What has stood out as you studied about God’s kingdom?
(Allow students to respond. Have as many students respond as possible. Encourage them to refer to their notebooks in case they struggle to recall.)

Our last lesson is about “The Crucifixion and the Resurrection” in Mark 15:1- 16:20.

INTRODUCTION

What would you do if you attended a burial and participated in throwing soil to cover the grave, but a few days later you overheard neighbours claiming that the deceased person had come back to life?

(Allow students to respond. Possible answer: Be surprised, scared, curious, think it was a joke, visit the grave to discover the truth.)

Our story today is about a man who rose again after being in the tomb for three days.

VIDEO CLIP

We shall watch the video clip entitled “The Crucifixion and the Resurrection.”
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(After the video clip, release the students to sit together in their small groups for group discussion.)

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360p, 138 MB

SMALL GROUPS

If you were part of the crowd accompanying Jesus to Golgotha, what would be going through your mind?
(Allow students to respond. Possible answers: Have pity on Jesus, scared, worried, wait and see if Jesus would do something dramatic, hope that the apostles could fight back, curious to see what was to happen.)

How did the crucifixion of Jesus relate to the kingdom of God?
(Allow students to respond. Possible answer: Unlike earthly kings who rise to the throne through votes or inheritance, Jesus Christ established his claim to the kingdom of God through the cross. The kingdom of God was ushered into the world through the shedding of blood. It was the ultimate act of sacrificial love.)

What was the significance of the centurion’s confession? (Hint: look at Mark 15:39 for help.)
(Allow students to respond. Possible answers: As a Gentile, it highlighted the fact that indeed Jesus is the Son of God and that, through him, all nations of the world are welcome to God’s kingdom. Through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross, sins are forgiven and people become children of God.)

What was the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection?
(Allow students to answer. Possible answers: Jesus paid for the sins of the world through his death. He died so that those who believe in him could be forgiven their sins and enter into God’s kingdom. In his brokenness, Jesus brought us wholeness. In his pain, he brought us relief. In his rejection, Jesus brought us acceptance. In his death, Jesus brought us life. Through his death, Jesus defeated the power of sin in the world. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection is an assurance of eternal life. Physical death is not the end of everything for believers. Those who die shall come back to life just like Jesus did and live in God’s kingdom forever and ever.)
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Read Mark 16:15 and Acts 1:8. What does Jesus call on believers to do, and how does he empower them to do it?
(Allow students to respond. Possible answers: Evangelise, share the good news with others, preach the gospel, become missionaries, spread God’s Word in all nations, bring people to Jesus. Jesus empowers believers to share the good news of God’s kingdom by giving them the Holy Spirit to help them.)

How else does the Holy Spirit help believers? (Hint: look at Galatians 5:16-22 for help.)
(Allow students to respond. Answer: When the Holy Spirit lives in us, he helps us and reminds us of Jesus’ teachings. As we submit to him, he helps us to overcome sinful attitudes, actions, and behaviours. Instead, our lives are characterised by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.)

Sin separates us from God. However, the death of Jesus Christ opened a door for us to enter into his kingdom. When we trust in him as our Lord and Saviour, we receive forgiveness of sins. We receive the Holy Spirit to help us in spreading the good news. The Holy Spirit also gives us the power to overcome sin and makes us aware of what God expects from us. He is a reliable helper who helps every believer to live a life that glorifies God.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Are you part of God’s kingdom?

(Students do not need to answer in class.)

This marks the last of our small group discussions for this study. Thank you so much for your participation and the time we spent together. Let us join the other groups so that we can close the session together.

APPLICATION

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ fulfilled all that had been prophesied about him. During his ministry, he had often alerted the disciples to his death and resurrection. All that he mentioned happened to him.

Through his suffering and death, Jesus opened a doorway into God’s kingdom. All those who believe in him enter into his Father’s kingdom. Jesus ascended into heaven, and one day he will return.

By his resurrection, all who follow him are assured of eternal life. Unlike earthly kingdoms that end with the death of a king, Jesus’ kingdom reigns forever. Those who die as believers shall resurrect to live with Christ in his kingdom when he comes back.

REFLECTION

Jesus Christ instructed all who believe in him to spread the good news of the kingdom. Is there someone in your life to whom you can tell the good news?

PRAYER

Jesus Christ instructed all who believe in him to spread the good news of the kingdom. Is there someone in your life to whom you can tell the good news?

(Before you pray for those ready to put their trust in Jesus and become his followers, make a closing prayer for all the students. Thank God for the time you have had together and pray for transformed lives. Once you make the closing prayer, dismiss the class apart from those willing to receive the gift of salvation. Use the suggested prayer for new believers in the Teacher Preparation notes.)

Lesson 8

Tutorial

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Introduction

Alexis: Hey everyone, it's Alexis. Last session, Eli talked about how Jesus gave his life to restore us to God. But he did more than that. Jesus established a kingdom that is still going today. And that's what I'm talking about, the Kingdom of Heaven in the Here and Now. After Jesus rose from the dead, he spent about 40 days with his followers. After that, he gathered his closest friends and said this to them before ascending back into heaven:

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Jesus’ final words to his followers are what we know today as the “Great Commission”. With those words, the followers of Jesus knew exactly what to do, and they went straight to work. Just kidding. No, they didn't. They kinda just stood there looking up. Take a minute to put yourself in their shoes - What would you do? God shows up and does something amazing; now it's your turn. What is your first reaction? Are you excited? Scared? A little bit of both? Describe how you think you might feel.

Empowered by the Spirit for Kingdom Living

I think one question Jesus' followers asked was, "What are we supposed to do?" Which is fair. It might be a question you’re asking. Maybe you're wrestling with something God’s doing in you, and you can't quite figure out what to do next. You're in good company. Jesus' followers went back to the place where they had been staying, and they waited for days. Imagine how that felt. Waiting on God can be tricky. It’s hard to tell if you're waiting in faith or hiding in fear. I'm sure many followers have prayed for God to give them a sign. Well, they got one. Listen to this:

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:2-4)

The Holy Spirit came and filled the people in that room, and crowds from all over came running. And what happened next is really cool. The followers of Jesus emerged and began speaking to people from every nation in their heart language. In Acts 2, we read that about 3000 people joined God's kingdom that day!

So what does it look like to live in God's kingdom on Earth? Well, it means following the way of Jesus, our King. Think about that for a moment. Read Galatians 5:16-26. What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? Can you relate to the tension between your flesh and the Spirit that this passage describes? How do you see the Holy Spirit working in your life to produce the fruits listed in verses 22-23? Write down your thoughts.

Being the Church

Living in this freedom to follow Jesus, we are able to be what Jesus called “His Church.” The Church is the embodiment of God’s kingdom on Earth. Imperfect, but becoming more like Jesus every day. The Church isn’t a building or institution - it’s millions of followers of Jesus who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, do two things: They love God, and they love others. That’s simple to say, difficult to do, trust me. But we’re not alone. The Holy Spirit is working through us to build God’s kingdom on Earth and make us more like Jesus every day. I trust in God’s big mission, and I hope you do too. See you next time.

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