Getting Started

Jesus Christ, after dying on the cross, arose bodily from the grave on the third day. Through faith we are raised with Christ, and granted the same Holy Spirit power that raised Christ. The benefits of Jesus’ resurrection include the forgiveness of sins, justification, sanctification, and ultimately glorification. His righteousness is imparted to us at the time of saving faith, and brings us new life by the Holy Spirit, which regenerates us with a new nature and begins sanctifying us to become increasingly more like Jesus. Because Jesus is alive forever, we confidently trust that one day we will likewise rise from our grave to live together as God’s people with Him forever.

Something to consider: God saves us for something better.

The resurrection of the dead

God saves

Acts 24:15
John 11:25-26
1 Corinthians 15:22-23
1 John 3:2

The first resurrection

Revelation 20:6
Job 14:14
Luke 20:35-36
Romans 2:7
Romans 8:11
John 5:28-29
John 6:40
Psalms 17:15
1 Corinthians 15:42-45
Hosea 13:14
1 Corinthians 15:52-54
1 John 3:2
Philippians 3:20-21
John 11:25-26
1 Thessalonians 4:16
1 Peter 1:3

The resurrection of all the dead

Daniel 12:2
Jeremiah 31:16
Psalms 22:29
Job 5:28-29
Acts 24:15
Revelation 20:4-5
John 5:28-19
Isaiah 26:19
Psalms 22:29
John 5:25
Philippians 3:21
John 11:24
1 Corinthians 15:12-21
Isaiah 25:8
1 Corinthians 15:50-52

Jesus resurrected

Mark 16:6
Luke 24:6, 7
1 Peter 1:3
1 Corinthians 15:21
Matthew 20:17-19
John 20:28, 29
Acts 26: 22-23
1 Thessalonians 4:14
Matthew 28:5,6
2 Corinthians 5:14,15
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4
Hebrews 13:20, 2
1 John 11:25, 26
Philippians 3:10
Revelation 20:12-13
John 12:23-25
Acts 3:15
Romans 6:5, 6
Mark 8:31
Luke 24:1-5
Acts 4:33

Questions about the resurrection

Now that we've looked at a number of verses, we encourage you to explore these questions with your group or in a journal.

• What does it mean that Jesus was resurrected? 
  

• Why is the resurrection central to the gospel? 
  

• Why would our faith be futile if Christ had not risen from the dead?
  

• What is the most compelling evidence of the resurrection for you personally? 
  

What does it mean?

Knowledge is good, but knowing how to act on that knowledge is better. Explore some of these questions about how our knowledge affects our lives.

• How does the resurrection change the way you live? 
  

• Are there any areas of the resurrection that you have had trouble with? 
  

• What does it mean to you that you are united into Christ in his death and resurrection? (Rom. 6:1–14).  
  

• In what ways does the resurrection give you hope?