YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON EASTER

Lesson Overview: Easter is an exciting time for believers. It’s a time that we get to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. How do we talk about Easter with our students? This Youth Group Lesson unpacks the crucifixion story and challenges students to live worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made for them.

Bible: 2 Timothy 1:10; Luke 24:1-9; 2 Timothy 2:11-12a

Bottom Line: Jesus died so that you could live.

Capture: Grab their attention with an illustration.

• Story: Have you ever had a near death experience? Tell a story of a near death experience you or someone you know has had that made you scared to do whatever you were doing again. End with: “While I escaped death that day, I was terrified whenever I ___________ for a while! Why? Because we fear death!”

• But what if I told you that one of our greatest fears — death — could be avoided completely? What if you could cheat death?

   

• Question: How can we escape death? Tonight, we’re going to look at the most important story in all of Scripture and see how God promises us a way out of death.

• Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:10 — This is a promise for you! Jesus broke the power of death for you and is illuminating the way to immortality.

   

• Contextually summarize the Crucifixion story (Luke 23:26-56) with a few key verses and your own communication abilities.

• Scripture: Luke 24:1-9 — Jesus has conquered death and risen again.

• Countless times Jesus made bold statements about who He was, and also prophesied that He would die and experience resurrection. (Cross reference Mark 8:31).

• C.S. Lewis suggested that with the statements He made, Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or truly our Lord. (Find the Quote here: https://www.bible.com/events/33062)

• Because Jesus was accurate, He is trustworthy! Because He is trustworthy, He is worthy of following with our whole hearts.

• God’s plan for salvation meant conquering death. He used Jesus to show us how to truly live.

• Bottom Line: Jesus died so that you could live.

   

• What does this mean for you and me? We can experience the same resurrection that Jesus did.

• Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-12a — If you die with Christ in salvation, you will live with Him forever. Death has no hold on you anymore!

• Story: Share about when you first realized that Jesus had died so that you could live. How did that affect you? (This is a great opportunity for you to share your salvation testimony.)

• Scripture says that when we die to ourselves, we live in resurrection. Salvation may be a specific moment, but Jesus tells us to die every day by picking up our cross.

• Start every day by praying and telling God that you are dying to yourself—your own wants, desires and needs. Invite Him to work through you in resurrection power.

• Application: Die every day to live forever.

   

• Altar moment: Tonight I want to give you the opportunity to experience this resurrection, perhaps for the first time. After a salvation altar call, give the opportunity for students to recommit themselves and lay down their crosses, committing to living in resurrection life and power with Jesus. Jesus died so that you could live. What are you going to do with this life He has given you?

• Small Group Questions:

  1. Have you ever had a near death experience? Tell us about it.

  2. How do you think 2 Timothy 1:10 — that says death has no hold on you — actually applies to your life?

  3. What are some practical ways we can trust Jesus in our own lives?

  4. What stands in the way of you dying to yourself and experiencing resurrection life?

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