Death of Death // Picturing the Resurrection

Introduction

Death. It seems so final. So unpredictable. So inevitable. We don’t like to consider it, but eventually, every one of us, and everyone we love, dies. And we’re left with the grief, the agony, of this loss, this curse, this enemy. But then…there’s Jesus. He lived a perfect life – no sin. Yet on the cross, he willingly died the death for sin – our sin. His broken body lay in the tomb, lifeless. Until the third day. The day when God’s resurrection power restored Jesus’ life to Him! On that Resurrection Day, Jesus broke death’s grip – dealt a death blow to death itself. So now, for all who will believe in Him, we can share in His resurrection life. Praise be to Jesus!

Ice Breaker Questions

Here are some possible ways to get a conversation started:

1. What is an easy way to do something nice for someone?

2. What is the best example of a community you have seen?

Getting Started

Open up with some prayer – some possible prayer topics:

• We would have boldness in the Gospel

• Thankfulness that it is His work for our salvation not ours

• Rejoicing in the end of all sin and death one day

• For new people to come to faith and be baptized

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to remember that it is Jesus who saves us and that we are not saved by our own actions? If my salvation has nothing to do with my actions, why do I need to be baptized?

2. Read Romans 6:1-14. When we are baptized, what does it symbolize what we are leaving behind? What does it make you feel when you think about what sins God has saved you from?

3. Have you taken the step to be baptized? If not, what has kept you from taking that step? What do you think holds others from taking that step?

4. The Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20) calls us as Christians to be sharing the Gospel and baptizing others. Who is someone you are wanting to see come to know the Lord? What steps are you taking to see that happen? How could you take the next step to see that happen?

5. There are, sadly, many times where someone is baptized and then after a while they fall back into their own life. Jesus talks about this reality in Luke 8:4-8. What role do Grow Groups play in someone’s baptism? How does our GG help those who have been baptized stay connected after their baptism?

Closing Prayer

Some suggestions:

• Ask if there are any prayer requests.

• We would live the message of the Gospel out into our daily lives

• That we would continue to seek what it means to live out the resurrection

Personal Spiritual Practice

This section is for anyone that wants some practical steps to try throughout their week. Maybe this could even be a way to check in either during the week or the next time you meet as a group.

1. Bring Life: What is one way you could bring life to someone around you? Maybe it’s speaking a word of encouragement, picking up trash, leaving a generous tip, etc.

2. Reminder: Read Hebrews 1-3 this week and write down some key points as we jump back into Hebrews.

Next Week’s Passage: Hebrews 4:1-13