SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON - JULY 25TH

Can I Believe in Resurrection?

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. It Is the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-6)
2. It Is Reasonable (1 Cor. 15:12-18)
3. It Is Certain (1 Cor. 15:50-52,54b-57)

Bible Commentary - by Terry Ellis, Senior Pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church, in Mobile, Alabama.

Every few years or so someone publishes a book purporting to be a “lost book of the Bible.” Often this supposed lost book includes a claim that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead or calls into question other cherished Christian truths. Skeptics love to tout such works as proof that the early Christians engaged in a conspiracy to take Jesus’ body from the tomb, conceal it, and then spread the claim that He was resurrected from the dead. Though patently false, these accusations by skeptics can mislead and confuse people.

The reliability of the four Gospels stands up to exacting historical scrutiny—more so than any other ancient text. Without question these Gospels all agree that Jesus was raised from the dead and appeared to many people. His followers proclaimed these truths soon after His crucifixion. If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, their claims easily could have been refuted. The certainty of the resurrection is further strengthened by the fact that some of Jesus’ disciples died as martyrs, never wavering in their belief in the risen Christ. People aren’t likely to make such an ultimate sacrifice based on a conspiracy. Thus we can be certain of Jesus’ resurrection.

How do you respond when someone challenges the reality of Jesus’ resurrection?

We live in a conflicted age. People love the notion of a mystical spirituality, but they tend to separate that spirituality from historical events. Some people’s beliefs about Jesus’ resurrection serve as a good example. They like “the idea” of Jesus’ resurrection but do not accept it as a historical event. Their reasoning is clear. If Jesus was resurrected, then all of His claims and teachings are validated. He must be recognized as Lord at that point and not just as a noble teacher. Christians are commissioned by the Lord to tell other people about the good news. We can invite them to respond in a way that is worthy of the Lord whom God raised from the dead.

The Life Goal of this lesson is designed to help learners embrace the truth of the resurrection, share that truth with others, and affirm that God’s resurrection of Jesus leads to His resurrection of believers.