Safe in His Will

Main Thought

Where do you feel safest? With whom do you feel safest; or, what kind of circumstances make you feel safe? The call to follow Jesus can be a very difficult one at times. Every Christian will be opposed in some way: by society, by the Enemy, by other people, and even by ourselves. Where can we find safety in the midst of all this opposition? The safest place to be is in the will of God! His loving presence can comfort us in our troubles. He can empower us and embolden us to love Him and love others. He can guide us forward. If we’ll follow Jesus, instead of giving into fear, we’ll discover that we are safe in His will.

Main Passages

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

‭‭- Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬-‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”

- Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

‭‭- 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Discussion Questions

1. One particular fear that the Bible us about is the “fear of man.” (Proverbs 29:25.) How would you define “the fear of man?” How can it affect us?

2. How can knowing God make us feel safe in the face of our greatest fears?

3. What’s one thing you need courage or faith from God to do?

This Changes Everything!

Main Thought

All of Jesus’s followers believed that He was gone for good after His death on Good Friday. But Jesus didn’t stay dead. He rose again three days later! The resurrection of Christ on Easter marks the turning point of His real-life story. His resurrection can change our stories too. God wants to be near to us - even when we can’t perceive Him. His words can ground us when we feel unsettled. He can give us clarity when life is chaotic. These things come when we walk with God. Believing in Jesus, seeking to know Him (through things like the Bible, prayer, and other resources like the One 2 One), and growing in the love of God mark the path of those who choose to walk with Christ.

Main Passages

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. - Luke 24:13–16 (NLT)

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

- Luke 24:27

As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

- Luke 24:30–31

Discussion Questions

1. How do you celebrate Easter? Are there any elements of your Easter celebrations or festivities that serve as a reminder of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus?

2. What do you think it means to “walk with Jesus”?

3. A step of faith can change everything. What’s one step of faith you can take that has the power to make a big impact in your life, or in the lives of people around you?

Because He Lives

Main Thought

In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul taught that Christianity’s authority and validity depended on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself prophesied that He would rise again before His Crucifixion. In order to prove Himself, Jesus needed to defeat death! Death was an intimidating opponent. Mankind has faced death, and all of the pain that it brings with it, ever since sin entered the world. But Jesus Christ defeated sin and death when He rose again! We can look forward to an eternity with Him. In the meantime, we can live with excellence on earth - knowing that the effort we give to God won’t be in vain. Our lives can be filled with lasting purpose, meaning, and hope because He lives.

Main Passages

'For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.' - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

'For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.'

- 1 Corinthians 15:16-21

'Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.'

- 1 Corinthians 15:58

Discussion Questions

1. Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ so important?

2. In places like 1 Corinthians 15, the Bible describes a “resurrected” or “glorified” body that believers will have for eternity. What do you think that will be like? (For example: Will we eat and drink? Will we need sleep? We will be capable of things that our physical bodies aren’t capable of right now?)

3. Do you feel that you live differently because Jesus promises eternal life to us? If so, how?

He Came Back Different

Main Thought

Do you live like Jesus is alive? Jesus is different from other religious leaders or martyrs because of His resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus changed the world; and, it carries implications that should change the lives of everyone who believes in Him. We aren’t just saved - we’re resurrected. We should live in a new way. We aren’t just alive - we have access. We can approach God, the King and Creator of the Universe, in different ways: through His Word, through prayer, in worship, in books, and so much more. We also aren’t just present as members of God’s Kingdom - we have parts to play in it. We, like Lazarus, can rise and experience the power of a new life in Christ.

Main Passages

Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

- John 11:17-26, ESV

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

- Romans 6:4, NIV

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

- John 10:10b, ESV

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or the Main Passages above?

2. What are some of the implications of the resurrection of Jesus Christ - either for the world as a whole, or for individual believers?

3. How has your life become “new,” in a practical way, since coming to faith in Jesus Christ? In what ways do you feel you’re continuing to grow in Christ now?