Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (1 Corinthians 15:12-26), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [12-14] (Read vv. 1-11.) Christianity stands or falls by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Even other key tenets of the Christian faith, like Jesus’ death on the cross, depend upon his resurrection. Why is that? Is his resurrection “of first importance” to you in your life? Why or why not?

• [12-19] What loss is it to Christians if Jesus is not truly, really, historically, bodily raised from the dead? What things does Paul list? Can you think of other reasons why we would be “most to be pitied” for believing in Jesus’ resurrection if it were not true? Do you think it would really be all that much of a loss if the resurrection weren’t true? How is Paul contending for a different kind of faith than the “faith” of those who say, “It doesn’t matter if the resurrection is real, just so long as you believe“? Does it surprise you to hear him say there would be no value to being a Christian if the resurrection weren’t true?

• [20] “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.” This is where our thoughts should turn whenever we struggle with doubt or despair. This is how we know that God is true to his Word. This is where we find the reassurance of all our hopes to live forever with God. Is it reasonable to believe the bodily resurrection of Jesus is a true, historical reality? Why do you believe it is true? With what specific struggles has the resurrection helped you?

• [20-23] Christ is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” He is the forerunner and guarantee of all who will be raised from the dead bodily to be like him and to live with him forever. Because of his resurrection, death is more like sleep from which one will awake, renewed, than it is like the end of life. Paul speaks of it this way often, to reassure us that Christians who have “fallen asleep” will be made alive again. What comfort does this give you? Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18… Why do we need constant reminding of the essential belief in “the resurrection of the body” (as we profess in the Creed)?

• [24-25] Even though death entered the world through humanity, God’s gracious plan of redemption is for resurrection life and complete restoration of the kingdom also to come through humanity. Jesus is the human Lord who has defeated his own death, who will defeat ours, and who will make all things right when he comes again. Then all will be life, joy, glory, and love in the Eternal Kingdom of God. What does it mean to you that God has chosen to restore his Kingdom through humanity, rather than by erasing humanity from the picture and fixing what we have ruined by himself? Can humanity fix the world apart from God? Can God fix the world apart from humanity and remain true to himself?