SM Co-Mission Possible

["MISSION 5: JESUS\u2019 INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS \u2014 HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 2: THE GIFT OF SECURITY U_ L_ NOTES BIG\u2008IDEA: KEY TEXT:\u2008 CURRICULUM: TAKING AIM: PREPARE: OPENER: TRANSITION: 151","","MISSION 5: JESUS\u2019 INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS \u2014 HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 3: THE GIFT OF HIS SPIRIT U_ L_ NOTES BIG\u2008IDEA: KEY TEXT:\u2008 CURRICULUM: TAKING AIM: PREPARE: OPENER: - another of the same kind end with Advocate TRANSITION: 153","","MISSION 5: JESUS\u2019 INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS \u2014 HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 4: THE GIFT OF THE SCRIPTURES (DAY\u20081 OF\u20082) M5 \/ L4 NOTES BIG\u2008IDEA: KEY TEXT:\u2008 NOTE: The content for these next two lessons is drawn from Nate Bramsen\u2019s booklet, \u201cDive In\u201d (co-published by ROCK International and Everyday Publications. Used with permission). These booklets can be afforably purchased at everydaypublications.org CURRICULUM: PREPARE: Purchase enough little gifts\/treats for each student in your class. Wrap up a Bible in multiple layers of wrapping paper being sure to insert a gift into each layer. Smother the gift with tape! OPENER: Play a game of \u201cCHRISTMAS IN [insert the current month]\u201d. This is a variation of \u201cHot Potatoe\u2019 or \u201cMusical Chairs\u2019. Have stu- dents sit in a circle and play some Christmas music. The students pass the gift from one to the other until the music stops. The student holding the gift tries to unwrap the gift until they discover a gift. If the music starts up before they \ufb01nd a gift, they must hand the gift to the student next to them as the game continues until the music stops again. NOTE: Once a student unwraps a gift, they then sit out and watch the rest of the students play. TRANSITION: Once the \ufb01nal gift (a Bible) is discovered: 1. Have students put their gifts away (to avoid distraction for what comes next); 2. Say: We have been learning about some of the indescribable gifts \u2014 gifts too wonderful for words \u2014 that Jesus gave to us. The gift we will learn about today is described by Jesus in John 17:8, \u201cFor I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them.\u201d Jesus has given us God\u2019s Word! We hold in our hand the thoughts that are in God\u2019s mind! The question is: Are we searching God\u2019s Word to understand how God thinks? When we do, we gain something far more valuable than this world\u2019s goods. Listen to Proverbs 3:13-14, \u201cBlessed is the man who \ufb01nds wisdom, the man who ac- quires understanding, for she is more pro\ufb01table than silver, and her gain is better than \ufb01ne gold.\u201d You all \u201csearched\u201d intensely for your little plastic gifts. They are nice little treats. But the real gift was the Bible they led you to. But, sadly, many of us neglect this Book. Question:\u2008Why do you think this is so? [Field responses]. I think one of the main reasons is because people don\u2019t know how to \u201csearch\u201d for the treasures contained in this Book. So I would like to teach you one simple Bible student method called \u201c20-10-5-1\u201d. [IF\u2008TIME\u2008ALLOWS:\u2008Watch the 4-minute video explanation at: https:\/\/youtu.be\/zgzTrUlsJmQ] 155","IT ALL BEGINS WITH MEDITATION! What is meditation? [Field responses] M5 \/ L4 NOTES The Hebrew word translated as \u201cmeditate\u201d is hagah which could also be translated as \u201cmoan, muse, or devise.\u201d In Isaiah 31:4 this word is used to depict a young lion growling (hagah) over his prey. The idea is a deep-seated contemplation. The biblical de\ufb01nition of meditation is the polar opposite of the world\u2019s perspective... ! ! A&$!>+13,!\/)2\/6!9K$,'%)%$L:!F(;%5!2+B1!-'#,@!! &+\\\",&'$-'.&\/0*,()$)*12&3*\\\"\\\"&-\\\"3%&4(5,&6()7&0-&8\\\"%,1&& A&$!>+13,!\/)2\/6!9G'-)H!2+B1!-'#,@:! 97*&8\\\"%,&'$-'.&\/!\\\"#$%&-\\\"3%&4(5,&\\\"5&*)*%5$#&)7(5:'12& MAKING IT PRACTICAL FOR STUDENTS... The guide I\u2019m about to share with you is but one way to spend time in the Word of God. Over the years, I have used many techniques and formats, but I \ufb01nd this method ex- ceedingly practical. It\u2019s not a perfect method, but it is a feasible way to meditate on God\u2019s Word and a good place to begin your study. I call it \u201cThe 20-10-5-1\u201d. ! +','-.\\\"\/01\\\"%2\\\"10,3.4\\\" ! 6#$4$;$1!3.&!.5$4!\/#$!6.1(!.7!8.(<!(.!0.!51,3$17&AA3<!5,\/'$4\/A3<!5$10'0\/$4\/A3<!,4(! 5! &15.0$7&AA39!\\\"#$!7.&1!=.+5.4$4\/0!,1$!,0!7.AA.20B! ! C!\\\"2$4\/3!'0!7.1!:DEFGHI\\\"):J9!! C!\\\"$4!'0!7.1!)J\\\"FGG:8I\\\"):J9!! C!K';$!'0!7.1!L:J\\\"FMNOI\\\"):J9!! C!:4$!'0!7.1!INNO)LI\\\"):J9! ! BbSERVATION 2(0((((((((2((34(,50*\\\"6#%&,-0(7\\\",)(%8*(!#00#.*( ( I7\/$1!51,3$17&AA3!,551.,=#'4%!\/#$!6.1(!.7!8.(!,4(!1$,('4%!\/#$!5,00,%$!,A.&(<!.-0$1;$! ,43\/#'4%!4.\/$2.1\/#3!,-.&\/!\/#$!\/$?\/9!D3!.-0$1;$<!)!(.4*\/!+$,4!!4(!0.+$!($$5!05'1'\/&,A! +$,4'4%!.1!0=1&\/'4'P$!\/#$!.1'%'4,A!Q$-1$29!R$0<!\/#$1$!'0!,!5A,=$!,4(!\/'+$!7.1!0&=#!0\/&(3<! -&\/!\/#'0!$?$1='0$!'0!\/.!4.\/$!!\\\"#$!%&'()#*+,!-'$)!71.+!,!0'4%A$!;$10$!.1!0#.1\/!5,00,%$9! ! \\\".!'AA&0\/1,\/$<!'7!)!2$1$!0'\/\/'4%!'4!71.4\/!.7!3.&<!3.&!2.&A(!.-0$1;$!+,43!\/#'4%0B! ! ST!J,\/$!'0!2$,1'4%!,!0#.1\/@0A$$;$(!0#'1\/9!! UT!Q$!'0!=&11$4\/A3!-,1$7..\/9! VT!Q$!'0!(1'4W'4%!,!0.3!A,\/\/$9! XT!Q$!'0!2.1W'4%!.4!,!M,=D..W!I'19! YT!Q$!'0!>&'\/$!-,A(9! ZT!Q$!'0!0'\/\/'4%!'4!,!#.\/$A!1..+9!! [T!Q$!'0!21'\/'4%!,!-..W!!!\\\"#$%&'(%)*+&%,-.)$%\/-%-#0% 156","M5 \/ L4 NOTES !\\\"#$%\\\"$&\\\"$'()*+&,)-.$\/01-$20&&3-#$4567869$0:$0;$-<0=+>-.$ Then He said to His disciples, \u201cThe harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.\u201d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aving made several observations of the text, we next want to ask questions that will lead us to answers and greater clarity of what we\u2019re reading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u2019 INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS \u2014 HE OFFERS...WHAT? Preliminary Draft LESSON 4: THE GIFT OF THE SCRIPTURES (DAY\u20082 of 2) !!\\\"\\\"11##$$22%%&&''334422((%%((33\\\"\\\"55))**33))44\\\"\\\"++,,&& !\\\"#$%&'$($)#*+,&-&.-''-,$\/ 1. Review the key features of the \u201c20-105-1\u201d method of Bible study. You !\\\"#$%&'$($)#*+,&-&.-''-,$\/ can refer the students to the bookmark in their Student Guide. BBSS0EE1#RR&2VV1AA3TT+II&OO45NN&1622'$00%7-#*1+'8 2. Work through an example together, based on Psalm 119:105 \u2014 01#&213+&45&16'$%7-#*1+'8 \u201cYour word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.\u201d For this exercise, you may wish to have students work together in part- II9NN:*TT+EE;RR&1RR\\\"&OO<5GG&=AA>TT$II'OO#*NN1+'118 00 ners. The activity sheet below is on the last page of this lesson and can be photocopied for this activity. 9:*+;&1\\\"&<5&=>$'#*1+'8 !\\\"#$%&'()!*# CC NNTTEEMMPPLLAATTIIOONN 55 (+,-.\/-0123-14-015,-\/643+71.8\/54-14-,\/9-:15-;+\/0-.<3-16\/73-=1441>3? 9-;$&?&@*+>#$'&#1&@$2*#-#$& 9-;$1&+?&&#@:$*+&.>1#*$+'#&'#1&-&@61$72$*8#-#$& 1+&#:$&.1*+#'&-617$8 PPPPLLIICCAATTIIOONN 11 A%*#$&213+&<&(*\\\"$&-..(*)-#*1+8 A%*#$&213+&<&(*\\\"$&-..(*)-#*1+8 \u2014 JOSHUA 1:8 \u2014 \u201cYou shall meditate [on God\u2019s &&&&!\\\"#$%&'*-.\\\",\/&Word]..to do according to all ((((+,66*+$*\\\"(7*8that is written in it. For then... you will have good success.\u201d )*($%%!@'()!* 3. As you go through the students\u2019 \ufb01nd- ings as a group, be sure to write each (+,-.\/-.<852-\/;-14-015,-A934.8\/54-14-,\/9-:15-;+\/0-.<3-16\/73-=1441>3? observation and question down on the board that the class can generate as a whole. Be encouraging and inviting, even if some of the points seem a bit \u201coff\u2019. When \ufb01nished, go through the points that the students may have missed (see the page to the right). 4. Bring the conversation back to the opening game: Unwrapping each layer took time but new \u201cgifts\u201d were waiting to be discovered. So it is with Bible study: the more time and effort we are willing to \u201cunwrap\u201d the Bible, the more treasures will be found. 5. Explain the importance of taking 5 quiet minutes just to think on what was noticed. Together, try to generate some application points. NOTE:\u2008Nate Bramsen has many, wonderful resources geared for getting young people into the Bible. Download free books and watch a wide variety of engaging videos at:\u2008www.intoyourbible.org 160","!\\\"#$%&'()!*# +,-.\/\\\"0012034\\\"5\\\" !\\\"#$%%&'(#!&\\\" 6789:\\\";8:<\\\"%,\\\"-\\\".-\/=\\\"9)>8\\\"\/?\\\"@''>AAA\\\"\\\"\\\"\\\"\\\"\\\"\\\"\\\"\\\"\\\" ...'\/0$'$*1234$5\/4\\\"$(6$)'43.7 Some sample observations and questions from Psalm 109:105 \u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u201cYour word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.\u201d \u2014 PSALM 119:105 \u2014","MISSION SIX: THE OBVIOUS CHANGES IN HIS FOLLOWERS Introducing... \u2022 RISEN \u2022 RESEARCH PROJECT: INTRODUCTION \u2014 The \u2014 POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES of Jesus Christ","","\u201cRISEN\u201d THE POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF CHRIST \u2014 Teacher Note & Research Project Ideas \u2014 Introduction: The transformations experienced by Jesus\u2019 disciples after seeing the risen Christ make for a thrilling study. Why? Because this same Jesus is fully able to do the same for us today. \u201cJesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever\u201d (Heb 13:8), and He is just waiting to transform OUR lives! This unit begins by introducing the basic tools for the unit, followed by two model lessons. Beyond that, students are provided with the Scripture references and the additional reading material, entitled \u201cThe Rest of the Story\u201d, for each character to be studied. Organization: We invite you to set up the research schedule\/framework to suit your particular class dynamics. Here is one suggestion: 1. DAY ONE: Introduce the project by showing this overview of the resurrection by The Bible Project (5 mins): https:\/\/bibleproject.com\/explore\/video\/gospel-luke-5\/ (or search \u201cresurrection\u201d on the website: https:\/\/bibleproject.com ) 2. DAY ONE and DAY TWO: Complete Mission 6, Lessons 1 and 2 as presented. 3. DAY THREE and DAY FOUR: Assign groups to research another post-resurrection appearance by reading the related Scriptures and additional \u201cThe Rest of the Story\u201d\u2008articles. Fill in the chart and pre- pare a some form of presenting the material to the rest of the class (see suggestions below) . 4. DAY FIVE: Display the various creations around the classroom and invite the students to walk around and explore. If time allows, permit the groups\/individuals to showcase and brie\ufb02y describe their creations. Presentation: Here are some ideas for creative display: 1. Create a poster. 2. Make a PowerPoint presentation. 3. Make a shoebox diorama. 4. Write a\u00a0poem (free verse, acrostic, rhyme, etc.). 5. Write and perform a skit\/monologue. 6. Make a TV or radio commercial. 7. Create a \ufb02ow chart or diagram. 8. Write an interview of the person transformed by Jesus. 9. Make a paper chain with a different fact for each link. 10. Write a journal\/diary entry. 11. Write a postcard from the perspective of the transformed follower. 12. Write a newspaper article. 13. Compose a song. 14. Decorate a box\u00a0and \ufb01ll with relevant objects. 15. Make a short documentary \ufb01lm. 165","","Preliminary Draft MISSION 6: THE OBVIOUS CHANGES THE RISEN CHRIST MAKES LESSON 1: HE REPLACES WORRY WITH WORSHIP (MARY MAGDALENE) TEACHER NOTE: This lesson introduces students to a research project on the M6 L1 NOTES post-resurrection appearances of Christ (the times after His death when He appeared, alive, to His followers). The timeline on the previous page can be adapted to suit your schedule and course framework, e.g., students can com- plete the rest at home, for bonus marks, etc. GUIDING LIGHT \u2013 KEY VERSE: \u201cDuring the forty days after He suffered and died, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God\u201d (Acts 1:3 NLT). CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES: M.K.4 Identify the relationship of Jesus to the Gospel and to one\u2019s personal and present life; M.S.6 Make application of Scripture to daily life; M.D. 2 Grow in their relationship to Christ through regular Bible study and prayer INTRO \u2013 PACKING OUR BAGS: PREP: To Get: a) \u201cMystery Items\u201d for the Research Project (see chart at end of lesson) b) For Opening Activity: jar, water, dish soap, pitcher of water labelled RISEN CHRIST, red food coloring c) Closing Activity: pitcher of water labelled RISEN CHRIST (you\u2019ll need fresh water), a glass labelled MY HEART, a bowl labelled OTHERS to catch water from the over\ufb02owing glass; To Do: Pour an inch or two of water into the jar; prepare labels according to notes above; prepare items\/envelopes as per chart below. INTRODUCTION: Does anyone like making bubbles? Come on, no one is too old to enjoy making bubbles! I\u2019m going to need a volunteer shortly to make some for me. But \ufb01rst\u2026 In our last lesson, we discovered the life-changing fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead! Remember the promise Jesus made to Martha after Lazarus died: \u201cI am\u00a0the resurrection and the life.\u00a0He who believes in Me, though he may\u00a0die, he shall live.\u00a0 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall\u2026\u201d what? [never die] (Jn 11:25,26). 167","A few lessons ago, we made two arches, one of which represented Lazarus\u2019s MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS death. When Lazarus died, Jesus brought him back out of death, to the same kind of life he had before. This meant that Lazarus would one day enter death again. But when Christ rose from death, He did much more that simply come back to the same life. He broke through to the other side of life \u2014 to a different kind of life, and an endless life. He rose to eternal life! And Jesus now guarantees that all who repent and receive His forgiveness will enter into that same eternal life and will, after death, live with Jesus, in Heaven \u2014 forever! Maybe some of you caught something subtle in what I just said. Yes, eternal life means, in part, \u201clife forever\u201d. But Christ rising from the dead also brings imme- diate bene\ufb01ts \u2014 as in, right now, today! I\u2019m not talking about money or fame or power, though God sometimes gives those things too for various reasons. But I\u2019m talking about blessings MUCH BIGGER \u2014 not just temporary, physical things, but spiritual blessings, eternal blessings. What are those blessings? First, answer this. TRUE or FALSE: Jesus went back to Heaven right after He rose from the dead. [Take a show of hands for each answer.] Answer: FALSE! KEY VERSE: \u201cDuring the forty days after He suffered and died, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God\u201d (Acts 1:3 NLT). FIRST, He spent 40 more days on Earth, THEN He returned to Heaven. And during those 40 days, lives were radically transformed! I\u2019m excited to announce a Resurrection Research Project. You\u2019re going to research what happened to people who came face to face with the risen Christ. They were, literally, transformed! What do I mean? OBJECT LESSON: [Choose a volunteer.] It\u2019s time for my jar and bubbles! Inside, as you can tell, I have some water. When Jesus died, His followers and others who had been trusting in Him were pretty much a wreck, as we can imagine! Some were full of sorrow. [Volunteer], please add a squirt or two of this dish soap to the water. [Add more dish soap after each description.] Some were full of fear, some with regret; some were con- fused, others questioning, or frustrated. These people represent the wide range of emotions WE feel when we run up against dif\ufb01cult times in our own lives. 168","We could say they had been greatly \u201cshaken up\u201d. [Volunteer, shake the jar.] They MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS had been shaken up by the events from the weekend \u2014 the cruci\ufb01xion, death, and burial of Jesus. Their hearts were now full of all these terrible thoughts and perplexing questions. But then they encountered the risen Christ \u2014 and they were transformed! No, Jesus did not help them push down, or bury, those feelings of sorrow, regret, or fear. He REPLACED them! Sort of like this: [Have a different volunteer come up, add red food coloring to the water in the pitcher to represent the love of Jesus, then pour the red water into the jar until all the bubbles are displaced out of the jar.] The Bible says, \u201cPerfect love casts out fear\u201d (1 Jn 4:18). In other words, our hearts can\u2019t be \ufb01lled with two opposing things at the same time. And THIS is the blessing FOR TODAY of knowing Christ as Savior: He works in the same ways TODAY in the lives of His children as He did just after His resur- rection. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the same \u201cyesterday, today, and forever\u201d (Heb 13:8). He doesn\u2019t send angels or prophets or kings to do this kind of work. He works PERSONALLY in the hearts of His precious children. So, let me explain this fun project! TAKING AIM: You\u2019ll notice I have nine \u201cmystery\u201d items up here on my table. Each of these items are connected to one of the nine \u201ctransformations\u201d that took place in the lives of Christ\u2019s followers after seeing Him alive. Today and tomorrow, I will model how you are to complete this project. Then, as you work through it, YOU will see for YOURSELF, from the Bible, how Christ wants to work in YOUR life. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need to do with each transformation: 1. Select a \u201cmystery\u201d item. [In this case, I\u2019m picking the gardening tool.] 2. Read the passage(s) on the envelope: Luke 8:1-3; John 20:1, 11-16; Mark 16:1, 9-11. [Invite a few volunteers to read these.] 3. Complete the chart and map as best as you can. [For your model, ask the students for input.] 4. Open the envelope to read THE REST OF THE STORY. [Hold up today\u2019s.] 5. Ponder one life application. Journal this thought in the last column of the chart. [Point to this.] 6. Fill in whatever is missing on your chart\/map (if needed). Choose another item if time allows. [Point out the Project Rubric and explain. Also explain that marks are in\ufb02uenced by focus and engagement.] Are there any questions? [Field responses.] OKAY! Open your Student Guide and follow along as we encounter the VERY FIRST person who got to see and hear Jesus after He rose from the dead! 169","DEMONSTRATION: MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS 1. Again, I\u2019ve selected the gardening tool. I wonder what this has to do with the \ufb01rst meeting with the risen Christ. 2. Read the passage on the envelope. [Hold up the envelope, showing the reference. You may want to point out that there are six Marys in the New Testament. This Mary is not the mother of Jesus.] 3. Complete the chart and map as best as you can. [Refer students to the chart and map in their Student Guide.] 4. Open the envelope to read THE REST OF THE STORY. [Hold up today\u2019s.] 5. After you do this, invite the students to think deeply about some life applica- tions we can draw from Mary and her special visit with Christ. Decide on one life application, and write it in the last column of the chart. [Point to this.] 6. Fill in whatever is missing on your chart\/map (if needed). MARY MAGDALENE \u2013 THE REST OF THE STORY [This will be presented attrac- tively in an old \u201cJerusalem Post\u201d type newspaper article: MARY TRANSFORMED BY THE RISEN CHRIST! \u25aa If you\u2019ve ever lost a loved one, you probably know what sorrow feels like. Let\u2019s try to step into Mary\u2019s situation to see these events through her eyes. A DARK PAST: The Bible says that Mary had at one point been demon-possessed. I know that sounds scary and unfamiliar to us, but God\u2019s Word says there were actually seven demons inside of her (Lk 8:1,2). They took over her life and caused her much pain and fear. THE LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS: A very special day came in Mary\u2019s life, the day when Jesus, the Light of the World, set her free from darkness. With the word of His power, Jesus commanded those demons to leave Mary \u2014 and they did! REFLECTION: If you are a child of God, you too have been set free! The Bible says that sinners are, by nature, prisoners of Satan. But the Bible also says that Jesus came for the very purpose of bringing those who \u201csit in darkness out of [Satan\u2019s] prison house\u201d (Isa 42:7). When we reach out and ask for God\u2019s salvation, He sets US free, just like He did to Mary! A LOVE THAT GREW AND GREW: From that day on, Mary was lovingly devoted to Jesus. We never actually read of Mary telling Jesus that she loved Him, but her actions spoke loudly and clearly of her love! \u25aa She constantly helped provide practical items for Jesus and His disciples as they travelled around helping others. \u25aa She was the last one at the cross and the \ufb01rst one at the tomb. \u25aa She came to the tomb when it was still dark. Thousands of people had trav- eled to Jerusalem for Passover that weekend. Lots of foreigners were in the city, around every corner, overcrowding the streets. Yet Mary journeyed in the darkness to the tomb. \u25aa She brought expensive spices to anoint the body of Jesus. 170","\u25aa Thinking the body had been moved by the gardener, she was even prepared MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS to get the body and carry it to a better spot (over 250 pounds when we in- clude all the spices folded into the linen cloth; see Jn 19:39). 1.\u201cHimself\u201d\u2014 what a wonderful word! Have you ever noticed \u25aa Her love for Jesus was undeniable! that the Lord reserves His most special work for \u201cHimself\u201d? REFLECTION: Do YOU love Jesus? You may SAY you love Him, but if you \u2022 As to the past, \u201cby Himself\u201d He have truly been set free from your sin and its eternal penalty, do you purged our sins (Heb 1:3). SHOW your love for Him by serving Him and helping others? \u201cDear \u2022 Presently, the Lord \u201cHimself\u201d children, let\u2019s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth draws near to the brokenhearted by our actions\u201d (1 Jn 3:18). (Lk 24:15). Jesus \u201cHimself\u201d stands in the midst of His fearful fol- Which brings us to this sad scene: Mary is heart-broken. Jesus is not only dead lowers and speaks peace (Lk (or so she thinks), but now His body has been taken somewhere (or so she thinks). 24:36), and the Lord \u201cHimself\u201d But all of that is about to change\u2026 serves His servants (Jn 13:4). \u2022 In the future, the Lord \u201cHimself\u201d JESUS HONORS THIS KIND OF LOVE: will personally return to take His \u25aa Given the love that Mary had for Jesus, it\u2019s no surprise that Jesus chose to children Home (1 Thes 4:16,17). appear to her \ufb01rst \u2014 even before any of the disciples. Jesus regularly Our past, present, and future are honoured women in ways like this. all in the capable Hands of the one \u25aa Notice the THREE ingredients necessary for transforming Mary\u2019s sorrow into Person who never fails: the Lord JOY, and remember each of these letters to remind you of how YOU can \u201cHimself\u201d. experience this same joy: 1. JESUS\u2026Himself!* Notice, there were two angels there. Wouldn\u2019t you have been amazed by that? But Mary was still sorrowful! ONLY Jesus would satisfy her heart \u2014 so that\u2019s what she got! Just being in His presence brought joy. Do YOU regularly spend time in the presence of Jesus? Do you listen to Him through reading His Word, the Bible? Do you talk with Him through prayer? As you do, you will experience joy: \u201cIn Your presence is fullness of joy\u201d (Ps 16:11). 2. OVERFLOWING HEART: As we spend time with Jesus, joy not only \ufb01lls our heart but over\ufb02ows into the lives of others. Mary had the two-fold blessing of being the \ufb01rst to see the risen Christ and of being the \ufb01rst to carry the news to others. Mark notes that Mary, who had herself been weeping, took this joyful message to others who also \u201cmourned and wept\u201d (16:10). We have good news! Let\u2019s share it! 3. YIELD to Him: Yes, Mary called Jesus her \u201cteacher\u201d (\u201cRabboni\u201d). But notice how she referred to Him a few minutes earlier (Jn 20:13): \u201cMY LORD (meaning, \u201cMy Master\u201d; see also v.18). Jesus was \ufb01rst Mary\u2019s Lord, then He was her Teacher. That order is important. (Jesus reinforced this order in Jn 13:13,14.) If we recognize the risen Christ \ufb01rst as our Lord and Master, we will more readily follow His instructions as our Teacher. The result? Joy! \u201cIf you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father\u2019s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full\u201d (Jn 15:10,11). Quote: \u201cAll too often we come to Christ as Teacher, hear what He has to say, and then make up our mind whether we will accept His teaching and carry it out, or not. But...what we should do is to come to Him \ufb01rst as Lord, making up our minds in advance to obey Him and to do whatever He teaches us; and then, in that spirit, to listen to Him as Teacher\u201d (David Gooding). 171","WHOLE GROUP \u2013 Demonstrate the \u201cLife Application\u201d: MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS SOME SUGGESTED APPLICATION POINTS: After generating some responses from students, offer a few of your own ideas: \u25aa \u201cJesus knows my name and wants to give me joy when I\u2019m sad (cf Jn 10:3, 14,15)! \u25aa Joy comes from spending time with Jesus. \u25aa I can have J.O.Y. when I spend time with Jesus, share Him with others, and yield to Him as my Master. MAKING IT PERSONAL: \u25aa I\u2019m not sure what your \u201cempty tomb\u201d (your greatest cause of sorrow) may be today. But I\u2019m sure that every heart here has some lingering sorrow. \u25aa Maybe your sorrow has to do with your home life. Or maybe it\u2019s the loss of a good friendship. Possibly, you feel that life hasn\u2019t been fair to you. \u25aa Let me be careful to say that Jesus doesn\u2019t promise to remove our problems when we put our trust in Him. \u201cBut what about the bubbles? You said \u2018perfect love casts out\u2019 the bad things in our lives.\u201d No, that\u2019s not how it works. He will cast out the negative emotions that often \ufb01ll our hearts \u2014 like fear or sorrow or shame \u2014 but our circumstances might not change at all. Rather, right in the midst of those hurtful circumstances, He replaces our negative emotions with His joy. \u25aa Example: Many early Christians (about 2,000 years ago) suffered greatly because of their faith in Jesus. How did they respond? \u201cIn this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials\u201d (1 Pet 1:6 ESV). How does this all work? Let\u2019s \ufb01nish with a visual reminder. CONCLUSION: 1. [Hold up a pitcher of water labeled JESUS.] First, this joy comes by simply spending time with the RISEN CHRIST. That was the difference in Mary\u2019s experience, and that will make the difference in our lives: \u201cIn Your presence is fullness of joy\u201d (Ps 16:11). Listen to Him as He \u201cspeaks\u201d to you from His Word. And then \u201cspeak\u201d to Him through prayer. [Pour some of that water into a glass labelled MY HEART, until it\u2019s about three-quarters full.] This, in itself, brings joy in dif\ufb01cult times. BUT THEN\u2026 2. As you yield to Him and obey His Word, that joy will over\ufb02ow from your life into the lives of others. [Continue to pour water into the glass until it is \u201cfull and over\ufb02owing\u201d into a bowl underneath labelled OTHERS.] 172","TAKEAWAY \u2013 LESSON SOUVENIR: MM6_ LL_1 NOTESS Today we have learned how the risen Christ can transform our sorrow into joy. But let me leave a challenge with those who have not yet received Christ as Savior. Did you know that it\u2019s possible for YOU to transform GOD\u2019S sorrow into joy? Yes, God actually sorrows over those who reject Him, including any of you who are still lost in your sins. But if you were to \ufb01nally surrender to God\u2019s love and receive Jesus as your Savior \u2014 yes, your sorrow would be turned into joy, but so would God\u2019s! Luke 15:7 says that there is \u201cjoy in heaven over one sinner who repents\u201d. I pray that this will be your experience today. In our next class, you\u2019ll discover what happened when Peter, who had failed big time, had a visit from the risen Christ \u2014 the very One he had failed! And we\u2019ll see what happened to a group of fearful men \u2014 who locked themselves behind closed doors \u2014 when Jesus literally just \u201cappeared\u201d in the room! REFERENCE(S) TAPE ENVELOPE TO WRITE ON TO THESE PERSON\/PEOPLE ENVELOPES \u201cMYSTERY\u201d ITEMS 1 MARY Luke 8:1-3; GARDENING TOOL MAGDALENE John 20:1, 11-16; Mark 16:1, 9-11 2 OTHER Matthew 28:1, 8-10; SANDALS WOMEN Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10 3 PETER Luke 24:34; SIGN: TEACHER PREPARATION 1 Corinthians 15:5a \u201cDO NOT DISTURB\u201d 4 TWO Mark 16:12-13; TUMS DISCIPLES Luke 24:13-35 \u201cGLAD\u201d BOX for (Perhaps married?) Luke 24:36-49; garbage or Ziploc bags John 20:19-25 5 TEN DISCIPLES (Eleven minus Thomas) 6 ELEVEN Mark 16:14; 3 NAILS DISCIPLES John 20:24-29 (preferably spikes) (Thomas present) 7 SEVEN John 21:1-8 FISHY CRACKERS DISCIPLES 8 11 DISCIPLES Matthew 28:16-20; GLOBE (and around this time, Mark 16:15-18; U-TURN SIGN To over 500 followers) 1 Corinthians 15:5b 9 JAMES Matthew 13:55; (Half brother of Mark 3:21 Jesus) 1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 15:13 173","","Preliminary Draft MISSION 6: THE OBVIOUS CHANGES THE RISEN CHRIST MAKES LESSON 2: HE REPLACES FAILURE WITH FORGIVENESS (PETER) TEACHER NOTE: This lesson is Day 2 of this research project. Goal: Review the M6 L2 NOTES steps for each \u201ctransformation\u201d, and model the process through one more example \u2014 Peter\u2019s restoration. GUIDING LIGHT \u2013 KEY VERSE: \u201cDuring the forty days after He suffered and died, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God\u201d (Acts 1:3 NLT). CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES: M.K.4 Identify the relationship of Jesus to the Gospel and to one\u2019s personal and present life; M.S.1 Take steps to resolve con\ufb02icts biblically; M.S.6 Make application of Scripture to daily life; M.D.4 Practice biblical \u201cone-another\u2019s\u201d in their relation- ships at home and in the classrooms INTRO \u2013 PACKING OUR BAGS: PREP: 1. Cut out the \u201cCall It Like It Is\u201d cards, one for each student. 2. Prepare your \u201cMystery Item\u201d and envelope as per instructions from the last lesson. INTRODUCTION: I need a volunteer to come up and play a little game with me called \u201cCall It Like It Is\u201d. It\u2019s simple: Describe a word without using that word. (Yes, only words are allowed; no actions or visual clues, or that word will be withdrawn.) The goal is to get your partner to say the exact word you\u2019re describing, to \u201cCall It Like It Is\u201d. Then move on to the next word. See how many words you can guess in one minute. Then switch roles, using your partner\u2019s card. [Choose a volunteer, and run through one example.] [Hand out cards, select partners, and play through two rounds, one round per card. If that was too easy, the students can swap cards with two other students for another round, but cut the time to 45 seconds.] [After the game, for fun]: By a show of hands, what teams were able to guess all \ufb01ve words? At this point, this game will seem to have NO connection whatsoever to our lesson. But by the end of the lesson, you\u2019ll see exactly why we played it. You\u2019ll also see in the game a secret for a truly happy life as a Christian, especially in how our joy can be restored after we\u2019ve failed through sin. 175","Speaking of failing, does anyone here like to fail? [Perhaps share a story or two of MM6_ L2_ NNOOTTEESS your own of a time when you failed at something.] What can make failure even worse is when you do it in front of someone who really matters to you. That is so embarrassing! Today, we\u2019re going to learn about one of Jesus\u2019 disciples who messed up big time\u2026right in front of Jesus. His name was Peter, and he didn\u2019t just fail in front of Jesus; he actually failed Jesus! This great failure made Peter very sorrowful. He wept bitterly, and his world became very dark, very fast. [Make your way over to the \u201cMystery Items\u201d. Select the PRIVATE: DO NOT DISTURB sign, and hold it up.] As we walk through today\u2019s lesson, think about what connection this sign has to Peter. Remember, we\u2019re learning about lives that were transformed after coming face to face with the risen Christ. Happily, Peter\u2019s story turned out better than he ever could have expected. And Peter\u2019s story teaches us that failure is never \ufb01nal when we invite God into our mess. So, let\u2019s begin. 1. Invite a volunteer to come and read the references: Luke 22:54-62; 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5a. 2. Based on what we\u2019ve read, does anyone want to suggest which of the 9 Transformations on our map will best describe Peter\u2019s experience? [The answer is Regret to Restored, but just \ufb01eld responses for now, inviting students to explain their reasoning.] 3. Hmmm\u2026Not a lot of info here to \ufb01ll in on our map and chart. I can tell you that this is the third appearance Jesus made, each of these three being on the same day as His resurrection. [Fill in the map. Explain that Simon was his birth name, and Peter was the name that Jesus gave Him (Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; John 1:42). Peter means \u201cstone\u201d (Jn 1:42), and this pointed ahead to the stable help he would be to the early Church. Cephas is just Peter in Aramaic). 4. Let\u2019s open this letter to discover THE REST OF PETER\u2019S STORY. [To help the students enter into this story, invite two volunteers to come up and read the lines of Jesus and Peter.] THE REST OF THE STORY: PETER We\u2019ve all had to eat humble pie at one point or another. But Peter\u2019s serving of humble pie was the most bitter experience of his life. Have you ever heard professional athletes being interviewed before a big game, claiming they felt totally con\ufb01dent that they were going to win? But then they lost. In fact, not only did they lose, but they lost BIG. Totally humiliating! Well, Peter\u2019s humiliation was FAR worse than that! You see, Peter was known as the bold one among Jesus\u2019 disciples. But, even though he meant well, he often ended up saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. He was constantly putting his foot in his mouth! 176","The most epic example of this was Peter\u2019s denial of Jesus. MM6_ L2_ NNOOTTEESS You\u2019ve already read how Peter denied even knowing Jesus \u2014 not just once, or twice, but three times! And it wasn\u2019t just off in the corner somewhere. It was in front of a crowd. Nor was it a subtle denial. He cursed and swore to try to convince the crowd that he really wasn\u2019t one of those \u201cJesus people\u201d. It just went from bad to worse\u2026and then he heard a sound. It was the crow of a rooster. Wait! What? A rooster? What does a rooster have to do with this story? It may seem odd \u2014 until you realize the conversation that Peter and Jesus had an hour or two before Jesus\u2019 arrest. Here is that conversation pieced together from all four gospel accounts (based on the Ampli\ufb01ed Version). Setting the Stage: Jesus is announcing to His disciples that He, \u201cthe Shepherd\u201d, is about to die. His followers, \u201cthe sheep,\u201d would scatter as a result of the events that were about to unfold. If we were \ufb02ies on the wall in that Upper Room, this is what we would have heard: Peter: \u201cJesus, where are you going?\u201d Jesus: \u201cWhere I am going, you cannot follow Me now; but you will be able to follow later. As for \u2018now\u2019, you will all fall away because of Me this night, disillusioned about Me, confused, and some even ashamed of Me, for it is written in the Scriptures, \u2018I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the \ufb02ock will be scattered.\u2019 But after I am raised to life, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.\u201d Peter: \u201cWait a minute, Lord! Though they all [pointing to the other dis- ciples] will fall away because of You and doubt and disown You, I (pointing to his puffed out chest) will never fall away!\u201d Jesus: \u201cSimon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded permission to to grind your life like kernels of wheat being made into \ufb02our; but I have prayed for you, Peter, that your faith and con\ufb01dence in Me may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again to Me (after being ashamed of me), strengthen and support my other followers.\u201d Peter: \u201cNo! You don\u2019t understand me. Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death!\u201d\u00a0 Jesus: \u201cWill you [really] lay down your life for Me? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before a rooster crows you will deny and completely disown Me three times. Peter (now shouting loudly): \u201cEven if I have to die with You, I WILL NOT DENY YOU!\u201d Fast forward a couple of hours and\u2026the rooster crows. Peter glances around in sudden realization of what just happened. And guess whose eyes meet his? The eyes of Jesus, who is being led away to His cruci\ufb01xion. He looks on Peter, and their eyes lock. With all the people surrounding Jesus, and with Peter standing afar off, it\u2019s remarkable that they caught sight of each other. It was a brief moment, but long enough for Peter to remember the Lord\u2019s words, \u201cBefore a rooster crows you will deny and completely disown Me three times.\u201d 177","Peter is horri\ufb01ed. He is overcome with shame, guilt, regret. He rushes off and MM6_ L2_ NNOOTTEESS begins to weep bitterly, deeply grieved and distressed. Then Jesus dies. He is buried \u2014 along with Peter\u2019s hope of ever making things right. It\u2019s too late. One day passes, two days\u2026Peter sinks further and further into despair. How can he face another day? But, oh! The third day came\u2026and what a day it was! The Risen Christ appears to Peter \u2014 not to scold him or tell him, \u201cI told you so!\u201d Not to ask, \u201cHow could you?\u201d Jesus met with Peter to restore him, to set things right between Peter and Himself. Interestingly, Jesus arranged for this meeting with Peter to be private. Only two short verses in the Bible tell us THAT they ever met, but they tell us nothing about their encounter. This is signi\ufb01cant. It tells us that Jesus is kind and gracious when He deals with our failures. He doesn\u2019t broadcast them to other people. He doesn\u2019t hang out all our dirty laundry and cause others to think less of us. Has anyone ever done that to you? Have YOU ever done that to others? Well, Jesus doesn\u2019t do that. Once Peter was able to get things \u201c\ufb01xed\u201d with Jesus, it transformed him! For starters, he became a lot more honest about his own weaknesses. Later, Peter admitted that his love for Jesus wasn\u2019t what it should be (Jn 21:15-19). (Peter declared three times that he \u201cliked\u201d Jesus with a brotherly love rather than loving Him with agape love. How different than the Peter who, before the cross, boldly declared his allegiance, an allegiance that proved untrue in the hour of testing.) In acknowledging his weakness, Peter was now more ready to depend on the Lord\u2019s strength. And, for the rest of his life, he boldly served Jesus \u2014 right up to his own martyrdom. We might say that the breaking of Peter was the making of Peter! REFLECT: A little phrase in Mark 14:54 hints at why it may have been dif\ufb01cult for Peter to remain loyal to Christ. He followed Jesus from \u201cafar off\u201d, or, \u201cat a distance\u201d. Next, we read that Peter was warming himself at the same \ufb01re as those who were happy to see Jesus die. If you\u2019re following Jesus, how closely are you following Him? If you\u2019re a child of God but fol- lowing Him \u201cafar off\u201d, it\u2019s only a matter of time before you\u2019ll be associating more with the world that hates Jesus than you are with Jesus Himself, the One who loves you and died for you. Follow Him closely, not from afar! _____________________________ Back to the recording sheets: So, which transformation best describes Peter\u2019s experience with the Risen Christ? How could this sign be connected to Peter\u2019s experience? [Field responses, and \ufb01ll in chart.] LIFE APPLICATION: Generate some life applications from the Scriptures read and the article considered. 178","Some suggestions: MM6_ L2_ NNOOTTEESS \u25aa Failure is never \ufb01nal when I get things right with Jesus. \u25aa I have to be careful who I follow. \u201cDo not be deceived: \u2018Bad company ruins good morals\u2019\u201d (1 Cor 15:33). MAKING IT PERSONAL: I want to \ufb01nish off where we started, with the game that we played: \u201cCall It Like It Is\u201d. What did that game have to do with Peter and his failure? Well, becoming a child of God doesn\u2019t mean that you will live a perfect life. In fact, just like Peter, you will likely fail Jesus at some point. Though you may not deny Jesus with your words like Peter did, maybe you are denying Jesus through your actions. I want to share a secret that can transform your life if \ufb01nd yourself making poor choices, choosing sinful habits, or becoming careless. Like Peter, you need to have a private meeting with Jesus. What does that look like? Let me read you a verse from 1 John 1:9, \u201cIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d Look at that word \u201cconfess\u201d. Guess what it means in the Greek? It means \u201cCall it what it is\u201d \u2014 literally, to call the sin that you have committed EXACTLY the same thing that God calls it. In our game, you had to sort of \u201cbeat around the bush\u201d as you were describing the word. You found all kinds of ways to describe it, right? Well, that\u2019s what we tend to do when we get in trouble. We use all kinds of descriptions in order to avoid calling our sin what it really is. We want to make our offence \u201cnot sound so bad\u201d. \u25aa We say, \u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry for kinda smudging the story a bit.\u201d God says, \u201cNo, that is called LYING.\u201d \u25aa We say, \u201cOh, sorry for borrowing your bike without asking and forgetting to give it back.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d says God, \u201cthat\u2019s called STEALING.\u201d \u25aa We say, \u201cSorry, Mom, for forgetting to clean my room today like you asked me to.\u201d God says, \u201cThe word you\u2019re looking for is DISOBEYING.\u201d This verse says that, when God\u2019s child has done wrong and realizes it, they need to go to Him right away and \u201cconfess\u201d it \u2014 to call it what it really is. At that moment, God says, \u2018Wonderful! Now go and apologize to the person you offended, and make things right. Then get back to serving Me, just as Peter got back to serving Me\u2019 (see Mt 5:24). Let me \ufb01nish by drawing two circles on the board: 1. The \ufb01rst circle has a thick, solid line. We call it The Family Circle. When we are saved, God places us inside His family \u2014 the Family of God (1 Jn 3:1). Nothing we do can ever remove us from that circle, praise the Lord! Can I ask you today: Are YOU in God\u2019s Family Circle yet? This can only happen through the forgiveness of your sins. (Elaborate as needed.) 179","2. But inside that circle is a dashed circle. We call this the JOY Circle. As we obey MM6_ L2_ NNOOTTEESS the Lord, we experience His joy. But when we sin, we step outside of this JOY Circle. Notice that we are still within the Family Circle. Sin causes us to lose our joy, not our family relationship. 3. The way to get that joy back (as in Peter\u2019s case), is to \u201cconfess\u201d our sin directly to our heavenly Father \u2014 calling the sin by its actual name \u2014 and to get the matter dealt with. Based on the promise of 1 John 1:9, we are instantly restored back into happy fellowship with the Lord. We are set back in the centre of the JOY circle! 4. Then we are to move forward in serving God. This was Peter\u2019s experience, and God used him in mighty ways the rest of his life. CONCLUSION: So, failure is never \ufb01nal with God! This is the great lesson we learn from Peter\u2019s example. You know what these items all have in common: the microwave, bubble wrap, Post-it Notes, Silly Putty, penicillin, chewing gum, potato chips, and the X-ray machine? They all started out as failed inventions. But, with some wise ingenuity, they ended up becoming everyday items that we can hardly imagine getting by without. If you are a Christian and have been following \u201cfrom afar\u201d \u2014 starting to drift spiritually \u2014 or if you have just blown it altogether and failed Jesus, then here\u2019s what you need to do. [Hold up your PRIVATE: DO NOT DISTURB sign.] You need to have a private meeting with the Risen Christ and get the matter dealt with. One more challenge for you if you are a Christian: What about if someone fails YOU? Will you gossip about them and give the dirt on what they did wrong? That\u2019s not the example of Jesus. He dealt with failure in private, and that\u2019s what you should do too. And we need to demonstrate the same grace and compassion that Jesus showed Peter: \u201cBe kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you\u201d (Eph 4:32; cf Gal 6:1). TAKEAWAY \u2013 LESSON SOUVENIR: Peter may have started out proud, but, through the work of the risen Christ, he became humble and even more effective for God. Look what he wrote when he was an old man: \u201cNever forget that He is the God Who opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble\u201d (1Peter 5:5b) [TEACHER NOTE: At the end of this class, inform students that they will continue on with this project over the next couple of days either individ- ually, with a partner, or in their group (however you set it up). They will se- lect a \u201cMystery Item\u201d and begin. If time allows, they may complete two transformations in one lesson. You may wish to continue until all the students have examined all the transformations. However, if time is tight, you may prefer to assign each group two or three transformations and then present their \ufb01ndings, with the rest of the students taking notes on their recording sheets. Alter- natively, you may wish to send materials home for the students to complete the rest of the transformations on their own for bonus marks.] 180","181 \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d desk happy bedtime computer surprise tree clown elevator phone water mug cloud cake salad paper clock boy letter poem telephone head park mouth teacher heart \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d hiccup eyeball shirt penalty scare smile night dream advice sing hair mother idea newspaper baseball jelly sentence window arena squirrel face minute dessert story rattlesnake \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d elephant watch class puppy book man point planet van laugh answer money television door question branch lawnmower friend \ufb02oor week headphones hour snow \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d father \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d sidewalk \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d voice \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d slip \u201cCALL IT LIKE IT IS\u201d house family beach ocean feather pool seagull pool light lip kite reindeer hammer shovel dice visit table circle gym ice roof cone shoulder","","RESEARCH PROJECT: RESOURCES _____________________________________________________________________________ Introducing... \u2022 RISEN \u2022 RESEARCH PROJECT: INTRODUCTION \u2014 The \u2014 POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES of Jesus Christ 183","YOUR TASK: 1. Select a \u201cmystery\u201d item. 2. Read the passage on the envelope. 3. Complete the chart and map as best as you can. 9 TRANSFORMATIONS 4. Open the envelope to read THE REST OF THE STORY. 5. Ponder one life application. Journal this thought in the last column of the chart. 6. Fill in whatever is missing on your chart\/map (if needed). Choose another item if time allows. From FEARFUL to CHEERFUL From WEAKLINGS to WITNESSES MARY Hint: \u201cSimon\u201d and \u201cCephas\u201d From QUESTIONING to CONFIDENT MAGDALENE both refer to this man From EMPTY to FULL From SORROW to JOY From SORROW To JOY From DOUBT to WORSHIP From REGRET to RESTORED 11 ELEVEN DISCIPLES 10 From HOPELESS to \u201cHEART-BURN\u201d (Thomas Present) From SKEPTIC to LEADER 184 \u2014 FROM THIS TO THAT \u2014 7 11 JAMES (JESUS\u2019S HALF-BROTHER) PROJECT RUBRIC: Jesus also appeared to over 500 followers (1 Cor 15:6), but no other details are provided. A+ I completed all 9 \u201ctransformations\u201d A I completed 7-8 \u201ctransformations\u201d B I completed 5-6 \u201ctransformations\u201d C I completed 2-4 \u201ctransformations\u201d","PERSON\/PEOPLE REFERENCE(S) \u201cMYSTERY\u201d ONE APPLICATION TO MY LIFE; ITEM LINK: TRANSFORMATION \u2022 THE RISEN CHRIST TRANSFORMS LIVES \u2022 1 Luke 8:1-3; John 20:1, 11-16; GARDEN TOOL = Jesus Mark 16:1, 9-11 appeared to Mary in a garden (tomb location) RESURRECTION DAY 2 OTHER Matthew 28:1, 8-10; WOMEN Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-10 3 PETER Luke 22:54-62; 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5a 4 TWO DISCIPLES Mark 16:12-13; FROM hopeless (see v.21; (Perhaps married?) Luke 24:13-35 they thought Jesus would be king) TO\u2026 John 20:19,20; 5 TEN Luke 24:36-49 DISCIPLES (Eleven minus Thomas) 185 8 DAYS 6 Mark 16:14; LATER John 20:24-29 OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS 7 SEVEN John 21:1-8 When I obey the word of the Risen Christ, DISCIPLES I am able to do things that are impossible 8 11 DISCIPLES Matthew 28:16-20; if I rely only on my own power. (and around this time, Mark 16:15-18; to over 500 followers) 1 Corinthians 15:5b FROM\u2026 TO a church leader in 9 Matthew 13:55; Jerusalem Mark 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 15:13","Lk 8:1-3; Jn 20:1, MARY MAGDALENE 11-16; Mk 16:1,9-11 If you\u2019ve ever lost a loved one, you probably know what sorrow feels like. Let\u2019s try to step into Mary\u2019s situation to see these events through her eyes. FROM\u2008SORROW... A LOVE THAT GREW AND GREW: From that day on, Mary was lovingly devoted to Jesus. We A DARK PAST: The Bible says that Mary had at never actually read of Mary telling Jesus that one point been demon-possessed. I know that she loved Him, but her actions spoke loudly and sounds scary and unfamiliar to us, but God\u2019s clearly of her love! Word says there were actually seven demons in- side of her (Lk 8:1,2). They took over her life and \u2022 She constantly helped provide practical items caused her much pain and fear. for Jesus and His disciples as they travelled around helping others (Lk 8:2,3). THE LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS: A very \u2022 She was the last one at the cross and the first special day came in Mary\u2019s life, the day when one at the tomb. Jesus, the Light of the World, set her free from darkness. With the word of His power, Jesus \u2022 She came to the tomb when it was still dark. commanded those demons to leave Mary \u2014 and Thousands of people had traveled to Jerusalem they did! for Passover that weekend. Lots of foreigners were in the city, around every corner, overcrowd- \u2022 REFLECTION: If you are a child of God, ing the streets. Yet Mary journeyed in the dark- you too have been set free! The Bible says ness to the tomb. that sinners are, by nature, prisoners of Satan. But the Bible also says that Jesus \u2022 She brought expensive spices to anoint the came for the very purpose of bringing those body of Jesus. who \u201csit in darkness out of [Satan\u2019s] prison house\u201d (Isa 42:7). When we reach out and \u2022 Thinking the body had been moved by the gar- ask for God\u2019s salvation, He sets US free, dener, she was even prepared to get the body and just like He did to Mary! carry it to a better spot (over 250 pounds when we include all the spices folded into the linen cloth; see Jn 19:39). \u2022 Her love for Jesus was undeniable! 186","\u2022 REFLECTION: Do YOU love Jesus? You 1. JESUS\u2026Himself! Notice, there were two an- may SAY you love Him, but if you have gels there. Wouldn\u2019t you have been amazed by truly been set free from your sin and its that? But Mary was still sorrowful! ONLY Jesus eternal penalty, do you SHOW your love for would satisfy her heart \u2014 so that\u2019s what she Him by serving Him and helping others? got! Just being in His presence brought joy. Do \u201cDear children, let\u2019s not merely say that YOU regularly spend time in the presence of we love each other; let us show the truth Jesus? Do you listen to Him through reading by our actions\u201d (1 Jn 3:18). His Word, the Bible? Do you talk with Him through prayer? As you do, you will experience Which brings us to this sad scene: Mary is joy: \u201cIn Your presence is fullness of joy\u201d (Ps heart-broken. Jesus is not only dead (or so she 16:11). thinks), but now His body has been taken some- where (or so she thinks). But all of that is about 2. OVERFLOWING HEART: As we spend time to change\u2026 with Jesus, joy not only fills our heart but over- flows into the lives of others. Mary had the two- ...TO\u2008JOY! fold blessing of being the first to see the risen Christ and of being the first to carry the news Jesus honored Mary\u2019s love: to others. Mark notes that Mary, who had her- self been weeping, took this joyful message to \u2022 Given the love that Mary had for Jesus, it\u2019s others who also \u201cmourned and wept\u201d (16:10). no surprise that Jesus chose to appear to her We have good news! Let\u2019s share it! first \u2014 even before any of the disciples. Jesus regularly honoured women in ways like this. 3. YIELD to Him: Yes, Mary called Jesus her \u201cteacher\u201d (\u201cRabboni\u201d). But notice how she re- \u2022 Notice the THREE ingredients necessary for ferred to Him a few minutes earlier (Jn 20:13): transforming Mary\u2019s sorrow into JOY, and re- \u201cMY LORD (meaning, \u201cMy Master\u201d; see also member each of these letters to remind you of v.18). Jesus was first Mary\u2019s Lord, then He was how YOU can experience this same joy: her Teacher. That order is important. (Jesus re- inforced this order in Jn 13:13,14.) If we rec- ognize the risen Christ first as our Lord and Master, we will more readily follow His instruc- tions as our Teacher. The result? Joy! \u201cIf you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father\u2019s com- mandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full\u201d (Jn 15:10,11). FROM SORROW TO JOY 187","Mt 28:1,8-10; Mk THE OTHER WOMEN 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-10 It\u2019s easy to doubt the word of a liar. But, sad to say, we can also choose to doubt the word of Jesus, who said, \u201cI Am the\u2026 Truth\u201d (Jn 14:6). And that\u2019s exactly what these women did. FROM DOUBT\u2026 PAUSE TO REFLECT: Have YOU ever doubted the word of Jesus? Perhaps you\u2019ve How many times before His death had Jesus read a verse like, \u201cIn the beginning, God promised, \u201cI will die. But then I will rise again\u201d? created the heavens and the earth\u201d (Gen He had taught this over and over and over. Here 1:1). And, even though these words come are a few examples you can read for yourself: from God, you think to yourself, \u201cHmmm\u2026 Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 26:32. can that really be true?\u201d Yet, when these women came to the tomb, they We begin to D.O.U.B.T. when we Distort Our fully expected that Jesus would still be dead in Understanding of Biblical Truth. It\u2019s been that tomb. How do we know this? said, \u201cGod said it. I believe it. That settles it.\u201d But that\u2019s not quite how it works! We 1. They brought spices to anoint what they should be saying, \u201cGod said it, so that set- thought would be a decomposing body. tles it.\u201d Whether or not I believe something, or even understand it, \u201cGod is not like 2. They asked each other, \u201cWho will roll the stone people, who lie; He is not a human who away from the entrance of the tomb?\u201d (Mk 16:3 changes His mind. Whatever He promises, NIV). He does; He speaks, and it is done\u201d (Num 23:19 GNT). The best thing we can do is 3. Once they arrived at the tomb, one of the an- trust His Word, undoubtedly \u2014 no matter gels stated point-blank: \u201cYou are looking for what! Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified\u201d (Mk 16:6). In other words, \u201cYou\u2019re looking for a dead THEY CAME, THEY SAW, THEY REMEM- Jesus.\u201d BERED! The angels gently rebuked the women: \u201cHe is not here; He has risen! Remember how He There\u2019s no doubt about it: told you\u2026?\u201d (Lk 24:6). these women doubted! 188","\u201cCome and see!\u201d (Mt 28:6). The angels invited PAUSE TO REFLECT: Every person who the women to take a look inside the tomb. Guess has \u201ccome and seen\u201d the wonderful risen what they saw? No body (pardon the pun)! The Savior has also been commissioned to \u201cgo body was gone \u2014 but what they did see was and tell\u201d others about Him. Who have you truly astounding! In fact, John records that, told lately? when he personally saw this, he became an in- stant believer in the resurrection of Jesus (Jn \u2026TO WORSHIP 20:8). As the women raced off to share the good news What did they see? The grave clothes of Jesus with Jesus\u2019 disciples, guess who they met? The \u2014 but not as you might expect. They were risen Christ! They fell at His feet and wor- \u201clying\u201d there. The word used in the Greek shiped the risen Christ. They were trans- means \u201cundisturbed\u201d. In other words, those formed. grave clothes were lying exactly as they had been when Joseph of Arimathea had wrapped What is worship? It\u2019s more than a word. It\u2019s them around Jesus\u2019 body for burial. Due to the more than a song. It literally means \u201cto ac- spices, the grave clothes had hardened like an knowledge worth\u201d. These women, bowed at the encrusted cocoon in the shape of a body! feet of Jesus, were declaring that the risen Christ was \u201cworth\u201d more than anything or In seeing this evidence and hearing the angels\u2019 anyone else in their lives. reminder that Jesus had promised to rise three days after his death, the women \u201cremembered What or whom do YOU worship? Here\u2019s an easy His words\u201d (Lk 24:8). way to find out: Just ask yourself, \u201cWhat thing or person in my life would I say is worth the Now it was all crystal clear! What were they to most to me?\u201d Is it your friends? Your hobbies? do with this exhilarating news? The angels who Your sports? Entertainment? Some celebrity? had invited them to \u201cCome and see\u201d now Your looks? Your grades? The answer to that charged them to \u201cGo and tell\u201d! question will tell you the object of your worship. Sure, we should appreciate or admire certain people, but there is only One Person worthy of worship \u2014 and that\u2019s the risen Christ! Why is He alone worthy of worship? 1. He created you (Rev 4:11). 2. He died to pay your sin-debt (1 Cor 15:3). 3. He rose again, proving His victory over sin, death, and the grave (Matt 28:6, 9). Who is greater than Jesus? No one. So, like those women, let\u2019s worship ONLY JESUS. FROM DOUBT TO WORSHIP","Lk 22:54-62; 24:34; SIMON PETER 1 Cor 15:5a We\u2019ve all had to eat humble pie at one point or another. But Peter\u2019s serving of humble pie was the most bitter experience of his life. FROM REGRET... Wait! What? A rooster? What does a rooster have to do with this story? It may seem odd \u2014 until Have you ever heard professional athletes being you realize the conversation that Peter and interviewed before a big game, claiming they felt Jesus had an hour or two before Jesus\u2019 arrest. totally confident that they were going to win? Here is that conversation pieced together from But then they lost. In fact, not only did they lose, all four gospel accounts (based on the Amplified but they lost BIG. Totally humiliating! Version). Well, Peter\u2019s humiliation was FAR worse than Setting the Stage: Jesus is announcing to His that! You see, Peter was known as the bold one disciples that He, \u201cthe Shepherd\u201d, is about to die. among Jesus\u2019 disciples. But, even though he His followers, \u201cthe sheep,\u201d would scatter as a re- meant well, he often ended up saying the wrong sult of the events that were about to unfold. If thing at the wrong time. He was constantly put- we were flies on the wall in that Upper Room, ting his foot in his mouth! this is what we would have heard: The most epic example of this was Peter\u2019s denial Peter: \u201cJesus, where are you going?\u201d of Jesus. Jesus: \u201cWhere I am going, you cannot follow Me now; You\u2019ve already read how Peter denied even know- but you will be able to follow later. As for \u2018now\u2019, you ing Jesus \u2014 not just once, or twice, but three will all fall away because of Me this night, disillu- times! And it wasn\u2019t just off in the corner some- sioned about Me, confused, and some even ashamed where. It was in front of a crowd. Nor was it a of Me, for it is written in the Scriptures, \u2018I will strike subtle denial. He cursed and swore to try to con- the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scat- vince the crowd that he really wasn\u2019t one of tered.\u2019 But after I am raised to life, I will go ahead of those \u201cJesus people\u201d. It just went from bad to you to Galilee.\u201d worse\u2026and then he heard a sound. Peter: \u201cWait a minute, Lord! Though they all [point- It was the crow of a rooster. ing to the other disciples] will fall away because of You and doubt and disown You, I (pointing to his puffed out chest) will never fall away!\u201d 190","Jesus: \u201cSimon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded Interestingly, Jesus arranged for this meeting with permission to to grind your life like kernels of Peter to be private. Only two short verses in the wheat being made into flour; but I have prayed for Bible tell us THAT they ever met, but they tell us you, Peter, that your faith and confidence in Me nothing about their encounter. This is significant. may not fail; and you, once you have turned back It tells us that Jesus is kind and gracious when He again to Me (after being ashamed of me), deals with our failures. He doesn\u2019t broadcast them strengthen and support my other followers.\u201d to other people. He doesn\u2019t hang out all our dirty laundry and cause others to think less of us. Has Peter: \u201cNo! You don\u2019t understand me. Lord, I am anyone ever done that to you? Have YOU ever done ready to go with You both to prison and to death!\u201d that to others? Well, Jesus doesn\u2019t do that. Jesus: \u201cWill you [really] lay down your life for Me? Once Peter was able to get things \u201cfixed\u201d with I assure you and most solemnly say to you, before Jesus, it transformed him! For starters, he became a rooster crows you will deny and completely dis- a lot more honest about his own weaknesses. Later, own Me three times. Peter admitted that his love for Jesus wasn\u2019t what it should be (Jn 21:15-19). (Peter declared three Peter (now shouting loudly): \u201cEven if I have to die times that he \u201cliked\u201d Jesus with a brotherly love with You, I will NOT deny You!\u201d rather than loving Him with agape love. How differ- ent than the Peter who, before the cross, boldly de- Fast forward a couple of hours and\u2026the roos- clared his allegiance, an allegiance that proved ter crows. Peter glances around in sudden real- untrue in the hour of testing.) ization of what just happened. And guess whose eyes meet his? The eyes of Jesus, who is being In acknowledging his weakness, Peter was now led away to His crucifixion. He looks on Peter, more ready to depend on the Lord\u2019s strength. And, and their eyes lock. Peter is horrified. He is over- for the rest of his life, he boldly served Jesus \u2014 right come with shame, guilt, regret. He rushes off up to his own martyrdom. We might say that the and begins to weep bitterly. Then Jesus dies. He breaking of Peter was the making of Peter! is buried \u2014 along with Peter\u2019s hope of ever mak- ing things right. It\u2019s too late. One day passes, two days\u2026Peter sinks further REFLECT: A little phrase in Mark 14:54 hints at and further into despair. How can he face why it may have been difficult for Peter to remain another day? But, oh! The third day came\u2026and loyal to Christ. He followed Jesus from \u201cafar off\u201d, what a day it was! or, \u201cat a distance\u201d. Next, we read that Peter was warming himself at the same fire as those who ...TO RESTORED! were happy to see Jesus die. If you\u2019re following Jesus, how closely are you following Him? If The Risen Christ appears to Peter \u2014 not to scold you\u2019re a child of God but following Him \u201cafar off\u201d, him or tell him, \u201cI told you so!\u201d Not to ask, \u201cHow it\u2019s only a matter of time before you\u2019ll be associat- could you?\u201d Jesus met with Peter to restore him, ing more with the world that hates Jesus than you to set things right between Peter and Himself. are with Jesus Himself, the One who loves you and died for you. Follow Him closely, not from afar! FROM REGRET TO RESTORED","Mk 16:12-13; TWO EMMAUS DISCIPLES Lk 24:13-35 Your favourite sport\u2019s team is heading to the championship game! They\u2019ve won practically every single game all season. There\u2019s no way they are going to lose! You let everyone know it. And then\u2026they lose. You feel half humiliated, half devastated. But guess what? Life goes on. You\u2019ll be fine. FROM HOPELESS... stantly set up His glorious kingdom that all the pro- phets of old had promised. Well, these two disciples of Jesus didn\u2019t feel \u201cfine,\u201d that\u2019s for sure. They were absolutely certain that But now their joy and their confidence were dead Jesus was going to win big \u2014 that, as some great and buried in that tomb along with Jesus. These two military leader, He was going to crush the big, bad disciples were totally hopeless. Roman Empire that was ruling over Israel. One of these disciples said with a heavy heart: \u201cBut we ...TO HEARTBURN were hoping that it was He who was going to re- deem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the As they walked in despair, a \u201cStranger\u201d appeared third day since these things happened\u201d (Luke and walked with them on the road. Little did they 24:21). know that this Person was actually the risen Christ. He even asked them questions about what had taken That word \u201choping\u201d in the Greek doesn\u2019t mean place over the weekend. They wondered how anyone \u201cwishful thinking\u201d like we use it today. This particu- could NOT have known what had happened to Jesus. lar word meant \u201cto wait for salvation with joy and full confidence\u201d. But now, get ready for this thrilling transformation: the One who opened the tomb was about to open two Fully confident \u2014 and then\u2026Jesus was arrested, more things. tortured, and crucified. 1. The SCRIPTURES were opened \u2014 \u201cHow could this possibly have happened?\u201d they Question: Do you recognize this person likely reasoned as they slowly walked along the to the right? If you do, that\u2019s impres- dusty eight-mile road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. sive! Most people would have a hard \u201cHe was a Prophet mighty in word and deed before time identifying this person because God and all the people!\u201d They figured that He could we see only part of the picture. wipe out the Romans with a simple thought and in- Answer: It\u2019s Mona Lisa!","That\u2019s sort of how it was with these two disciples. Christ! That is the power of God\u2019s Word. Sure, Yes, they believed SOME of what the prophets wrote evidence is helpful. But you could spend your about Jesus \u2014 namely, the parts about His CROWN entire lifetime examining \u201cevidence\u201d to con- (His coming power and glory). But, in Jesus\u2019 own vince you about Jesus, but, in the end, \u201cfaith words, they failed to \u201cbelieve in ALL that the pro- comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of phets have spoken!\u201d (v.25) \u2014 namely, the parts God\u201d (Rom. 10:17). Do YOU believe God\u2019s Word? about His CROSS. So Jesus had to rewind to remind! He went all the 2. Their EYES were opened \u2014 Once they all reached way back to the writings of Moses \u2014 who wrote the Emmaus, the two disciples invited Jesus in for a first five books of the Bible \u2014 reminding and then meal. He accepted. Sitting down at the table, Jesus explaining what the prophets had written \u2014 which gave thanks for the food, broke some bread, and is a big chunk of the Old Testament. He explained passed it to the two disciples. And, at that moment, how Christ would first suffer, and then reign in it all clicked: \u201cThen their eyes were opened and they power and glory. knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.\u201d Imagine Jesus explaining Jesus to us? No wonder Wait! Jesus passed them the food? Did they happen they later declared: \u201cDid not our heart burn within to see\u2026His hands? It\u2019s possible. After all, a whole us while He talked with us on the road, and while week later, the risen Christ said to Thomas, \u201cPut He opened the Scriptures to us?\u201d (Lk 24:32). your finger here, and see my hands\u2026Do not dis- believe, but believe\u201d (John 20:27 ESV). So, Jesus\u2019 REFLECTION: These two disciples had wounds were still visible and were likely seen by received word from witnesses (the women and these two at the table. A little later on, we read, the apostles) that the tomb was empty. Angels \u201c[The risen Christ] was known to them in the break- had even declared that Jesus was alive (part ing of bread\u201d (v.35). No sooner had Jesus handed of the witnesses\u2019 testimony). But even this ev- out the food and *POOF*\u2026He literally vanished. idence was not enough to convince these two. Gone! And in that instant, they knew Jesus was What was it that started to open their eyes? It alive. Their hopeless despair was replaced with spir- was the Word of God \u2014 without even realizing itual heartburn! that the \u201cStranger\u201d was actually the risen Opened Scriptures led to opened eyes. And opened eyes led to open MOUTHS! They ran eight miles all the way back to the very city they had just come from \u2014 Jerusalem. There, they found ten of Jesus\u2019 disciples (Thomas was absent) and announced the great news: \u201cThe Lord is risen indeed\u2026\u201d (v.34). REFLECTION: What wonderful truth have you re- cently discovered from the Bible? Don\u2019t keep it to yourself! Open your mouth and share it with others. Who knows? It might be just what God uses to help open someone else\u2019s eyes to see their need of Jesus! HOPELESS TO HEARTBURN","Jn 20:19,20; THE TEN DISCIPLES Lk 24:36-49 What are you most afraid of? A Survey on American Fears by Chap- man University ranks the most common fears people experience. Yes, in this order: public speaking, heights, death, flying, and blood\/needles. Amazing, isn\u2019t it? Public speaking causes greater fear them the wounds in His hands and side as evidence than dying! And if it isn\u2019t enough that we have all that it really was Him. He ate with them to prove He these common fears to cope with, many people have was not merely a spirit. But notice what He did next. to contend with a whole slew of uncommon fears, Just as Jesus did with the two disciples walking to known as phobias. Like what? Oh, like: Arachibutyro- Emmaus, He opened the Scriptures and explained phobia (the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof God\u2019s Word, showing how all the events of His death of your mouth), Nomophobia (the fear of being with- fit together in God\u2019s master plan (see 1 Peter 1:10\u2013 out your mobile phone), Arithmophobia (the fear of 12). numbers), and even Ablutophobia (the fear of bath- ing). The most ironic phobia? Hippopotomonstroses- The result? John 20:20 tells us they regained 20\/20 quippedaliophobia\u2026the fear of long words! vision: \u201cThe disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord\u201d (NIV).The word \u201coverjoyed\u201d in the Greek is FROM FEAR\u2026 cha\u00edr\u014d, meaning \u201ccheerful\u201d. Yes, their fear was trans- formed into cheer! That\u2019s what happens when we re- Ten of Jesus\u2019 disciples (along with some others) had alize the presence of the risen Christ in our lives. locked themselves in a room. Why? Fear upon fear! Yes, adults too experience fear. First, John records Did you know that this risen Christ wants to do the that these disciples feared for their lives. They were same for you? He wants to bring three special kinds marked men: the Jewish leaders who crucified Jesus of \u201ccheer\u201d into your life! Let\u2019s do what Jesus did and could very well hunt them down next. Luke also turn to the Word of God to learn about this cheer: records that, when Jesus appeared suddenly in their locked room (without even using the door!), they As to our PAST: The cheer of GOD\u2019S PARDON were afraid, thinking that He was a ghost! Add all this to the traumatic events that had taken place a Jesus once spoke these words to a paralyzed man: few days before, and these men were, quite literally, \u201cSon, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you\u201d a wreck. (Matthew 9:2). \u2026TO CHEER What was the first thing Jesus did? He spoke peace Why would God\u2019s forgiveness bring us cheer? Because to them, helping to calm their nerves. He then showed sin is our most serious disease: it infects our soul. It 194","makes us unclean; it \u201ccontaminates\u201d us before a They were terrified and must have wondered if this holy God. And our guilt results in eternal separation voyage would be their last. Then Jesus appeared, from God and Heaven: \u201c The wages [payment] of sin showing His power over the storm, walking on the is death\u201d (Romans 6:23). waves of the sea declaring: \u201cBe of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.\u201d This death means eternal separation from God. That is a fearful thought! But the good news Jesus has What a comforting promise Jesus makes to His own, for you, today, is that He can pardon you from this during the sunniest of days or the darkest of nights guilt. Yes, He can declare you righteous and make \u2014 \u201cI will never leave you nor forsake you\u201d (Hebrews you fit to live in God\u2019s presence forever. How could 13:5). Whatever storm you may be experiencing this ever happen? You simply need to receive the right now, Jesus promises His presence to all who gift God is holding out to you \u2014 His own forgiveness. belong to Him. If you receive that gift, you\u2019ll experience this cheer: As to the FUTURE: The cheer of GOD\u2019S PROGRAM \u201cHappy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned\u201d (Psalm 32:1). Jesus said, \u201cIn the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world\u201d As to the PRESENT: The cheer of GOD\u2019S PRESENCE (John 16:33). Yes, even now \u2014 though things seem chaotic and evil seems to be unstoppable \u2014 Jesus \u201cBe of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid\u201d (Matthew Christ is in Heaven, perfectly working all things to- 14:27). gether (the good, the bad, and the ugly) in such a way as to fulfill His fail-proof program in His perfect These words were spoken to Jesus\u2019 disciples when timing. And in the end, God wins! How this should they were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. cheer the heart of God\u2019s child. And it was quite a storm! The sea is only about 13 km (8 miles) at its widest point, yet, after rowing A Holocaust concentration camp survivor named for three-fourths of the night (from evening till Corrie ten Boom put it this way: \u201cWhen a train goes around 3 a.m.), they had only reached \u201c the middle through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw of the sea\u201d ! away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.\u201d We can \u201ctrust the engineer\u201d \u2014 the risen Lord Jesus Christ \u2014 because He has perfect knowledge of what lies ahead. \u201cFor I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, \u2018My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure\u2019\u201d (Isaiah 46:9,10). The Lord Jesus is calling out to you personally: \u201cBe of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you\u201d (Mark 10:49). Let the risen Christ transform your fear into cheer! FROM FEAR TO CHEER","Mk 16:14; TEN PLUS THOMAS Jn 20:24-29 Do you have a nickname? If you do, you\u2019re probably not a fan of it. Over the years, one of Jesus\u2019 disciples named Thomas picked up the nickname \u201cDoubting Thomas\u201d. Let\u2019s find out why... FROM UNCERTAIN\u2026 Answer: How do you know that man at the door is Uncle Hank? You look out a window and see a man He is called \u201cDoubting Thomas\u201d because he didn\u2019t be- that doesn\u2019t quite resemble the pictures you\u2019ve seen. lieve that Jesus had risen from the dead, even after He\u2019s much taller than you always imagined him to be. hearing eyewitness accounts from the other disciples. For a moment, you doubt that it\u2019s Uncle Hank. In that sense, we might say Thomas doubted. Jesus even said to Thomas in John 20:27, \u201cStop doubting Now, is that kind of doubting a bad thing? Not at and believe.\u201d all! In fact, your parents have always taught you not to interact with strangers, and, at this point, the man Let me follow that up with another question: Is all on your doorstep is technically a stranger to you. doubting wrong? Opening the door could potentially mean danger for you. So you wisely (and quickly) call a parent and de- Before you answer that question, let me paint a sce- scribe the man on the doorstep. They confirm that nario for you. Imagine your parents were expecting it\u2019s Uncle Hank, so you let him in. your great Uncle Hank for a weekend visit. You\u2019re looking forward to this visit because you\u2019ve never Thomas\u2019s situation was not all that different from met Uncle Hank. You\u2019ve seen some old pictures and this example. How so? Rewind to just before the heard lots of stories about him, but it will be fun to death of Jesus. Listen to His warning, which Thomas actually spend some time with him. had obviously taken to heart:\u201cWatch out that no one misleads you. For many will come in my name, say- He\u2019ll be flying in and getting dropped off before ing, \u2018I am the Christ,\u2019 and they will mislead your parents get home from work, so they tell you many...Then if anyone says to you, \u2018Look, here is to come home right after school to greet him, show the Christ!\u2019 or \u2018There he is!\u2019 do not believe him. For him to his room, and get him a snack. false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive\u2026\u201d (Mt True to your word, you rush home after school and 24:4,5, 23,24 NET). await his arrival. Then you hear the doorbell. All of a sudden, you realize you have a bit of a dilemma. Luke records: \u201c[Jesus] said, \u2018Watch out that you are Do you know what it is? not misled. For many will come in my name, saying, \u2018I am he,\u2019 and, \u2018The time is near.\u2019 Do not follow them!\u201d (Lk 21:8 NET).","Notice the two strong warnings about someone claim- Look carefully now. A week earlier, Thomas had said, ing to be Christ: DON\u2019T BE FOOLED BY HIM. DON\u2019T \u201cUnless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and FOLLOW HIM. put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.\u201d If you think about it, a week earlier, the other dis- ciples had seen someone claiming to be the risen Now, a week later, Jesus said, \u201cReach your finger Christ. But Thomas had not yet verified this for him- here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand self. So Thomas stated, \u201cUnless I see in His hands the here, and put it into My side.\u201d The Lord used the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of very words of Thomas, spoken a week before. This the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not be- Man knows all things! He truly is God. lieve\u201d (v.25) HOW ABOUT YOU? Having doubts is not a bad thing I ask you again: Was Thomas\u2019 doubting a good thing as long as they are healthy doubts. Doubting God\u2019s or a bad thing? In this context, it was a very good Word because you\u2019re trying to avoid the truth will thing. It appears that he was trying to be careful in lead you down a dangerous path. But if your doubts what he believed, especially given the Lord\u2019s warn- are causing you to seek truth and avoid lies and ings about others who, through the display of impres- deception, then you\u2019re doing exactly what the Bible sive acts, would claim to be Christ. says to do. Listen to these verses: \u2026TO CONFIDENT \u201cTest all things. Hold fast to what is good\u201d (1 Thes 5:21). And, \u201cBeloved, do not believe every spirit, but Amazingly, a week after Jesus had appeared to the test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for group (when Thomas was not present), Jesus ap- many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 peared again. \u201cAnd after eight days His disciples were Jn 4:1). again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, If you come to God sincerely seeking truth as Thomas \u2018Peace to you!\u2019 Then He said to Thomas, \u2018Reach your did, He is more than willing to show Himself to you. finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your \u201cHe who comes to God must believe that He is, and hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbe- that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek lieving, but believing\u2019\u201d (vv 26,27). Him\u201d (Heb 11:6). Do you see the key word there? \u201cBelieve.\u201d If you come with a heart willing to believe The risen Christ was now standing before Thomas. In that what God says in His Word is true, and if you an instant, any uncertainty Thomas had was gone. It are prepared to submit to His authority (cf John was replaced with total confidence that this Man was, 7:17), you will be even more blessed than Thomas was indeed, the risen Christ! (see v.29)! Thomas declared with joy: \u201cMy Lord and my God!\u201d What is the Lord calling on you to believe today? (v.28). He no longer had those healthy doubts. He was That you need to be saved? \u201cBelieve in the Lord now fully confident. Jesus, and you will be saved\u201d (Acts 16:31). If you\u2019re already one of God\u2019s children, \u201cas you have received What was it that convinced Thomas that this was the Christ Jesus as Lord [salvation through believing same Jesus who had been crucified three days ear- God\u2019s Word], continue to walk in Him [continue to be- lier? It\u2019s not that he merely saw Jesus or that he lieve God\u2019s Word in your day-to-day walk with Him]\u201d touched Him \u2014 the text doesn\u2019t indicate whether or (Colossians 2:6). not Thomas even did that. UNCERTAIN TO CONFIDENT","Jn 21:1-14 7 FISHING DISCIPLES Have you ever studied super hard for a test? Then, when it came time to write it, you totally blanked? Or have you ever finished shovelling a load of snow from your driveway just in time to watch the snow plow push most of it right back to where it was? Perhaps you\u2019ve trained hard for a big sporting event and then got sick or broke a bone and had to miss out. It can be so frustrating when all your hard work seems Just like that, John knew exactly who that Man was: to get you nowhere. Well, that\u2019s exactly how seven of He was the risen Christ! Now the net wasn\u2019t the only Jesus\u2019 disciples felt one night\u2026 thing that was full; so were the hearts of those dis- ciples. Peter was so excited that he jumped into the FROM EMPTY\u2026 water and made his way to shore as fast as He could. These seven disciples had been toiling all night to The net was full. Their hearts were full. And this story catch some fish. They were back in Galilee (waiting for is full \u2014 full of wonderful lessons about our wonderful the risen Christ to come to them, as He had promised Savior! in Matthew 28:7 and Mark 16:7). They weren\u2019t sure when He would show up, so they went fishing, perhaps JESUS IS THERE. They didn\u2019t know the risen Christ to earn some money to provide for their families. was on the shore \u2014 but He was! What a comforting promise Jesus makes to His own. Even when we feel Now, these were experienced fishermen. But, for some alone, He guarantees: \u201cI will never leave you nor for- reason, they couldn\u2019t catch a single fish! Every time sake you\u201d (Hebrews 13:5). The original audience they pulled up their net, it was absolutely empty. reading that verse in Greek would have noticed the double negative: \u201cI will never, never leave you.\u201d Even That is, until, Someone called out to them: \u201cSirs, you better was the triple negative that followed: \u201cI will don\u2019t have any fish, do you?\u201d never, no never, not ever forsake you.\u201d It takes a lot of humility for even a casual fisherman to JESUS SEES. The disciples couldn\u2019t see Jesus (v.4), admit he didn\u2019t catch anything. How much harder for but He saw them. His eye is always on His child. \u201cThe seven trained fishermen! Their simple response: \u201cNo.\u201d eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry\u201d (Ps. 34:15). Consider this ...TO FULL illustration: Early Native Americans would try to de- velop bravery in their young men. So, having learned Then this Man in the distance called out and told them basic survival skills like hunting, scouting, and fishing, to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They a 13-year-old boy was taken on his birthday into the did as He said, and, instantly, their empty net was middle of a forest \u2014 blindfolded, several miles away transformed into a net bulging with fish! from security. In the black of midnight, his blindfold","would be removed. As the boy stood there, gripped with But He demonstrated His care for you in a far greater fear, every noise seemed magnified. The threat of a wild way than what we see in this story. Now, He doesn\u2019t just animal attacking loomed large in his mind. say, \u201cCome and have breakfast with Me.\u201d He says, \u201cCome to Me, and I will give you eternal life.\u201d He does- Then, hours later, at the end of this night of lonely terror, n\u2019t simply provide fish. He provided Himself as the Lamb the sun would rise, and the boy\u2019s spirit would rest and be of God who went to the cross in order to deal with our at peace, for there, just a few feet away, was someone who sin problem. So, now\u2026 had been there the whole time, totally unseen by the boy. It was his father, bow and arrow in hand! Our Heavenly JESUS WAITS. Remember, the purpose for John writing Father watches and protects us. this gospel is that we might \u201cbelieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have JESUS KNOWS. What some versions present as a ques- life in His name\u201d (20:31). Jesus is waiting for you to be- tion in verse 5, \u201cSirs, do you have any fish?\u201d should lieve and obey His gospel. It\u2019s interesting that the first really be a statement: \u201cSirs, you don\u2019t have any fish, do miracle in John\u2019s gospel was when there was no wine you?\u201d Jesus knew they had worked hard all night and (Jn 2). The last miracle of John\u2019s gospel was when there were tired. And Jesus knows everything about you \u2014 was no food (fish). What made the difference in each your joys and your sorrows, your successes and your case? In the words of Jesus\u2019 mother, \u201cWhatever He says failures. to you, do it.\u201d Obeying Christ will transform our empty hearts into full hearts! Receiving Christ as Savior places JESUS IS ABLE. Sometimes Jesus allows us to fail to you in the Royal Family of Heaven and bestows on you help us see what He had taught His disciples earlier: all the blessings that come with knowing Jesus per- \u201cWithout Me, you can do nothing\u201d (Jn 15:5). When those sonally, just a few of which we\u2019ve listed above. men admitted they had \u201cnothing\u201d, Jesus directed them to throw the net back into the water. Then He directed There is one other lesson we can take away from this those fish into that net. How amazing is that? Christ is account, a very special truth for every child of God who is willing to strengthen us when we admit we need Him. sins or fails the Lord: JESUS NEVER GIVES UP ON US. JESUS CARES. We see Jesus\u2019 care in so many ways. For Look at verse 9. As those disciples made their way to example, when the disciples had all made their way to shore, we read that \u201cthey saw a fire of coals there.\u201d shore, He had breakfast prepared for them. He didn\u2019t use Think for a moment: When is the only other time we read their fish. He used His own. How did He get them? We\u2019re about a \u201cfire of coals\u201d in the Bible? It was after Jesus not sure. But it teaches us that God never runs out of was arrested and brought to trial. \u201cAnd the servants and supplies. Also, it\u2019s no coincidence that the text states officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it that they caught 153 fish. Jesus could have rounded the was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood number down to 150, or He could have just said that with THEM, and warmed himself\u201d (Jn 18:18). there were \u201ca lot of fish\u201d. Instead \u2014 153. Jesus cares about even the smallest details of your life. Did you know Did that fire remind Peter of how he had failed Jesus? that He has \u201cnumbered\u201d the hairs on your head? He It may have. But it certainly was not in the mind of doesn\u2019t just have them \u201ccounted\u201d, but \u201cnumbered\u201d \u2014 Jesus, for Peter and Jesus had already met privately each hair is assigned a number! He cares about all the and had cleared up that matter. If you read the rest of issues in your life, big or small. the chapter, you\u2019ll discover that Jesus is about to assign an important job to this once-failing Peter \u2014 to help feed (teach) God\u2019s people. And the Lord has a special job for you too! \u201cHe who has begun a good work in you will com- plete it until the day of Jesus Christ\u201d (Phil 1:6). FROM EMPTY TO FULL",""]