LESSON 13

RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION

Our Confidence and Hope

TEACHING AIM: To understand the present and future implications of Christ’s resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven.

WHY STUDY THIS LESSON: Jesus’ resurrection assures us that all Jesus said and did was true. It provides believers with confidence in the present and hope for the future. His ascension lets us know that in Jesus we have an advocate before the Father, who is actively leading the church.

DESIRED OUTCOME: To fully comprehend that the resurrection is the ultimate assurance that Jesus is who He claimed to be and that His ascension gives us confidence that Christ is over all things.

Background Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Focal Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

  • The most important part of the gospel message is Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
  • Scriptures foretold God’s plan to offer His Son as a substitutionary atonement for our sins.

Memory Verses: For I passed on to youas most importantwhat I alsoreceived: thatChristdiedforoursins according totheScriptures,that He wasburied,that He was raised onthethirddayaccording totheScriptures(1 Cor. 15:3-4).

Preparing to Teach

Most of us agree that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are the most important aspects of His life and ministry on earth. We believe this because we read it in the Bible and we know that there were many witnesses who affirmed Christ’s return after His death and burial. The problem is many of us cannot articulate what we believe well enough to share effectively with those who don’t believe. In this lesson, we will carefully examine the biblical accounts and work together to summarize these most important events in all of history.

As you study the lesson in the Venture In Travelogue, be sure to carefully examine all the Scripture references and record your responses to the questions and challenges. Continue to pray that last week’s lesson on the crucifixion and this week’s lesson on the resurrection and ascension will bring about a powerful and permanent response in your class and in yourself.

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Teacher Helps

For additional study on 1 Corinthians 15, go to Enter the Scripture passage and click on the commentary tool. Scroll down the left column for English commentaries.

Write your own testimony or statement of faith as an elevator speech before the class gathers. See the teaching tip for more explanation.

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Teaching Tip

An elevator speech is defined asa 30-second overview of an individual's knowledge, skills, and accomplishments, designed and memorized to allow a timely, well-organized response to an inquiry. The term comes from the time it takes to complete a normal elevator ride from the top to the bottom floor.(Sample speech: As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe the Son of God sacrificed His own life on the cross in payment for my sins and the sins of all mankind. I believe He rose from the grave after three days and later ascended into heaven. My belief is founded on the fulfillment of prophecy throughout the Scripture and from Jesus’ own words; the eyewitness accounts of those who saw and spoke with Jesus; and the trustworthiness and consistency of God’s Holy Word. Because of my faith and belief, I have His assurance that I will inherit eternal life with Him.)

Cue “O Glorious Day” by Casting Crowns and provide necessary equipment to show the video at the conclusion of the study:

Post five tear sheets in various places around the room. Write the following titles on each of fivetearsheets: Prophecy, Eyewitnesses, Inspired Word of God, Ascension, Living Hope. Prepare guide sheets (similar to the ones below) for four groups. You can copy and paste the instructions from below but be sure to delete the answers (in parentheses) before printing and distributing in class.

Guide Sheets

Prophecy

Question: Why is it important to know that Jesus’ resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament and foretold by Jesus?

  • Look up the following Old Testament references about Jesus’ resurrection: Psalm 16:8-11; Isaiah 53:10; Hosea 6:2. Record key words.
  • Look up the following Scriptures in which Jesus foretold His own death and resurrection: Luke 9:22 (Son of Man must suffer, be rejected and killed, be raised the third day); John 2:19 (“Destroy this sanctuary and I will raise it up in three days.”);Matthew 27:63 (Accusers told Pilate that Jesus said He would rise after three days.). Record key words and statements.
  • Compose a summary statement showing that both the crucifixion and resurrection were essential parts of God’s plan.

Eyewitnesses

Question: Why is it important to have reliable accounts fromeyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection?

  • Look up the following references to find witnesses who saw and spent time with Jesus after His resurrection:John 20:15-18(Mary Magdalene); John 20:19-20 (disciples); John 21:15-19 (Peter); John 20:24 (Thomas); Luke 24:13-30 (Emmaus Road travelers);1 Corinthians 15:6 (500 followers); Galatians 1:11-16 (Paul). Record your list of witnesses.
  • Compose a summary statement about the value of eyewitnesses who saw and interacted with Jesus after His resurrection.

Inspired Word of God

Question: Why is it important to know the story of Jesus’ resurrection is consistent and reliable?

  • Look up the following accounts of the resurrection and, using key words, list the events as recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Note the variations in minor details but the overall consistency of the message: Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18.(Examples: Mary Magdalene and others went to tomb; stone rolled away; angel said Jesus had risen; women ran to tell disciples; Mary returned, met Jesus; Peter and John ran to tomb, and so forth.)
  • Compose a summary statement about the validity and consistency of accounts of Jesus’ resurrection.

Ascension

Question: Why is it important to know Jesus’ purpose during the 40 days He spent with the disciples and the significance of His ascension to heaven?

  • Look up the following Scripture references and outline the events from Christ’s resurrection to His ascension: Matthew 28:16-17 (met with disciples); John 20:29 (blessed disciples); John 21:15-18 (instructed Peter); Acts 1:3-5 (40 days, taught and prepared disciples); Acts 1:4 (Holy Spirit promised); Acts 1:6 (power given); Matthew 28:18-20 (Great Commission: make disciples, baptize, teach);Luke 24:50 and Acts 1:9 (ascended to heaven).
  • Compose a summary statement about the time Jesus spent after His resurrection and before His ascension into heaven.

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Teaching Option

If your class is too small to form groups, use the Scripture and questions to guide the discussion with the whole class. Enlist a volunteer to record the summary statements about Jesus’ resurrection and ascension on each tear sheet.

Teaching Suggestions

THE DESTINATION DEFINES THE JOURNEY

Introduce the lesson by asking if everyone is familiar with the termelevator speech. If not, explain that it is a recommended technique in preparing for a job interview or sharing with anyone who can potentially help their search. (See Preparing to Teach.) Tell class that this tactic can also be applied to sharing our Christian testimony or explaining essential elements of the Christian faith. Say: Today we will preparean elevator speech to answer the question: Why is the resurrection of Jesus important to you?

Lead the class in opening prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to help each one presentto find a new way to share the gospel message effectively.

HIS RESURRECTION MEANS …

Say: As followers of Christ, we assert our belief that Christ died on the cross for the redemption of our sins and was resurrected on the third day. Even nonbelievers may agree that He was crucified, but they deny His bodily resurrection. Ask class for some alternate explanations (He swooned (fainted), but didn’t really die; the disciples stole His body and made up the whole story). Explain that when these stories appeared in the church at Corinth, Paul wrote a letter to refute the heresy being taught and get the church back on the right track. Say: Today, we hear similar denials of Christ’s resurrection. It is important to have a ready answer for those who ask.

Ask each class member to silently read the focal passage, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, from their own Bible and then to underline key points (either in the Bible or in the Venture In Travelogue, p.131).Emphasize that, of all the things Jesus ever said or did, His death and resurrection were the most crucial. Write the following words on the board or atear sheet. Referring to the bulleted section in the Travelogue (p. 131) following the Scripture, discuss why these words are important.

  • He died
  • For our sins
  • According to Scriptures
  • Buried
  • Raised on the third day

Divide class into four groups. Appoint a scribe to record Scripture references, key words, and summary sentences for each group on one of the posted tear sheets. The scribe may also act as leader when the results areshared. Allow six to seven minutes for each group to find and discuss Scripture references and write their summary statement.

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Teaching Tip

If time prohibits looking up all Scripture references, encourage members to write down the references to study in the coming week. You may also choose to prepare a handout with all the Scripture references for each group to distribute at the end of class time.

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After allowing time for groups to complete their assignments, call for reports. Ask each group to share their results and summary statements. Call on groups in this order: Prophecy, Eyewitnesses, Inspired Word of God. Encourage groups to report inless than two minutes. When these three groups finish, read this statement fromTravelogue, page 131: There is no gospelwithout the resurrection.

HIS ASCENSION MEANS …

Invite the Ascension group to share their assignment. When they finish, read this statement fromTravelogue, page 136: “They[Jesus’ disciples]were filled with joy as they saw Jesus rise out of sight because they understood His ascension was not the end of His ministry, it was just the beginning.”

JESUS IS THE JOURNEY

Highlight the summary statements from each group. Ask: Where would we be if Jesus had not been resurrected?Could this faith we call Christianity have survived over 2000 years if we followed a man who was still in a grave?

Call attention to theLiving Hopetear sheet. Enlist a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:14-19. Print the reference on the sheet, then turn to the class and dramatically say:But!Print BUT in large letters, then complete the phrase (verse 20a): Christ has indeed been raised from the dead!

Write 1 Peter 1:3on the sheet and ask someone to read the verse. Ask: What is our living hope? On the sheet, print key word responses, such aseternal life, not alone, glorified resurrected bodies, no sorrows, grief, fear of death. Say: Because He was raised, we have a hope we can count on. Not only do we have the promise of eternal life, we can have a personal relationship with the risen, living Savior.

Invite learners to use these truths in combination with the four summary statements from the other tear sheets as the basis for an elevator speech answering the question,Why is the resurrection and ascension of Jesus important to you?Allow time for learners to write down the statements in their Travelogues.

Share your elevator speech and, if time permits, allow others to share theirs. Encourage learners to review these statements and their own elevator speech this week and to practice sharing it with other people whenever the opportunity arises.

Conclusion

Play“O Glorious Day” by Casting Crowns: Comment that this song, a revision of the old hymn “One Day,” summarizes the entire gospel story and looks forward to Jesus’ return.

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Teaching Option

Your group may prefer to sing the hymn “One Day” by J. Wilbur Chapman. If hymnals aren’t available, find the text at

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Follow Through

  • Email summary statementsandalong with your elevator speech to all members and guests, as both a reminder and an encouragement.
  • Text or email Scripture references not covered in the lesson but pertaining to this week’s topic.
  • Reach out to members or guests who may have questions about Christ’s resurrection or ascension.

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