Why I Do Believe | Easter
Opening
Take turns sharing what Easter means to you. How can you celebrate Jesus’ resurrection together?
Overview
Easter is for skeptics and Easter is for believers. But for either category, it is easy for the hope of Easter to be rejected. Hope might be rejected because it is misplaced. We look for political and social change and are disappointed. Hope also might be rejected because it is misrepresented. We expect more from believers than what we get.
Instead, we must learn to rejoice that all creation will one day be freed from decay and death. Believers will also be released from sin and suffering in the resurrection. Our ultimate hope is that Jesus is coming back to redeem His creation and dwell with His people.
Discussion Questions
- How has misplaced hope affected your faith?
- What does it look like to learn to rejoice in our true hope?
Practice
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.”
Prayerfully read the Scripture passage out loud (and maybe more than once.) How should this understanding of our future affect how we live now? How does this hope begin to change our lives and what we expect from God?
Practice for the week
Consider memorizing this passage together to remember the true hope we have as followers of Jesus.
Closing
Pray over your group that they will experience true hope in Jesus.