Easter Sunday - Garden to Grave to Glory

Evergreen Christian Community

John 20:1-18

Big Idea: Redemption began and is fulfilled in the Garden.

John 20:30-31

Angels and the Entrance

John 20:11-12

Genesis 3:23-24

John 20:1

"The tomb that sealed the body of Jesus became the womb of our salvation." -Max Lucado

Face-to-face with the Gardener

John 20:15

Genesis 3:8-9

Genesis 2:22-23

"Easter tells us that every ending is a new beginning." - Anne Graham Lotz

Folded and Finished

John 20:6-7

Hebrews 1:8-12

"The story of Easter is the story of God’s wonderful window of divine surprise." - Philip Yancey

John 20:16-18

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

“The resurrection completes the inauguration of God’s kingdom. . . . It is the decisive event demonstrating that God’s kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven. The message of Easter is that God’s new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you’re now invited to belong to it.” - N.T. Wright

Response:

• Your story is redeemable.

• Live in the finished work of Christ.

• Baptism - connection to the empty grave.

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)