Sunday Scripture: John 20:1-18
- Tell the story: Here we have arrived at the high point of our story! The ultimate story of God sticking with us even when we miss the mark. God’s love is stronger than death! We have been following the life, teachings and death of Jesus, and now we also get to follow Jesus into resurrection! Here, we see the complete picture of life inside the blessing. Jesus died. But he rose from the dead. The women who had cared for his body in death now got to witness his body alive again.
- Read John 20:1-18
- Read pages 270 and 273 in the Shine On story Bible.
- Prime the pump:
- Things to notice:
- All the gospels have their own accounts of the empty tomb. Read and compare them in Matthew 28, Mark 16 and Luke 24. Remember - the different accounts give us different windows into the same story. Notice the way the story comes into focus as you read the same story from different perspectives.
- Once again, the gospel writer contrasts the behavior of the male apostles with the behavior of the female disciples. Notice their differences in actions.
- All the gospels have their own accounts of the empty tomb. Read and compare them in Matthew 28, Mark 16 and Luke 24. Remember - the different accounts give us different windows into the same story. Notice the way the story comes into focus as you read the same story from different perspectives.
- Things to notice:
- Background information:
- Who was the disciple “Jesus loved”? This is probably referring to John. Interesting how John’s gospel has him outrunning Peter and reaching the tomb first.
- Read 20:9. Scholars aren’t sure what scripture this is referring to. But there were many scriptures, and we don’t have all of them.
- Who was the disciple “Jesus loved”? This is probably referring to John. Interesting how John’s gospel has him outrunning Peter and reaching the tomb first.
- Conversation starters:
- What are the gaps in this story? What doesn’t the Bible tell us about? Imagine it from Jesus’ perspective. For example, suddenly he’s alive, but wrapped in burial cloth. What was it like to wake up? And what was he wearing when he appeared to Mary? Imagine it or act it out in playful ways and see what discoveries you make. Find some holy humor.
- Why didn’t Mary recognize Jesus by sight or by his voice, but only when he spoke her name?
- What are the gaps in this story? What doesn’t the Bible tell us about? Imagine it from Jesus’ perspective. For example, suddenly he’s alive, but wrapped in burial cloth. What was it like to wake up? And what was he wearing when he appeared to Mary? Imagine it or act it out in playful ways and see what discoveries you make. Find some holy humor.