Our Prayer

Our Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You and that my sins separate me from You. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to You for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of You. My greatest purpose in life is to follow Your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Class Lesson October 5, 2025

 The Whole Story



John 20

John 20 opens with the quiet of early morning. The shadows of death still linger. The tomb is sealed — or so they think. The One they had followed, loved, and hoped in had been crucified, laid in a borrowed grave. All seemed lost. The air is heavy with grief and confusion. But what happens next changes everything — not just for the disciples, but for the entire world. For the tomb is not closed. The grave is not occupied. Jesus has risen.

Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb while it is still dark. She is not expecting resurrection — she is coming to grieve. But when she arrives, the stone has been rolled away. Panicked and bewildered, she runs to tell Peter and John. They come, see the empty linen cloths, and leave still uncertain. But Mary stays. She weeps outside the tomb, longing for answers, aching for hope. And then, in her sorrow, she hears a voice: “Woman, why are you weeping?” She turns and sees someone she assumes is the gardener.

Until He speaks her name: “Mary.”

In that moment, everything changes. The risen Jesus doesn’t first appear to rulers or priests or even the apostles — He comes to a woman weeping in a garden. He doesn’t thunder from the heavens — He whispers a name. And the tomb that once held death now holds life. The garden that once echoed with mourning now sings with resurrection.

Jesus appears to His disciples next — not with condemnation, but with peace. “Peace be with you,” He says, showing them His hands and side. He breathes on them, not with judgment, but with the Spirit. Where there had been fear, He brings joy. Where there had been doubt, He brings assurance.

This is no myth. No symbol. No metaphor. The resurrection of Jesus is the historical, bodily, world-altering triumph of God over death. Sin has been defeated. Death has lost its sting. The tomb is empty, and our hope is alive.

John 20 is not just the conclusion of the Gospel — it is the turning point of redemptive history. And it is deeply personal. Jesus knows His sheep by name. He comes to the brokenhearted. He enters locked rooms of fear. He replaces sorrow with joy, and doubt with faith.

Jesus is here, not in theory but in power, not in memory but in flesh and blood, raised and reigning. He is alive, and because He lives, everything changes.


John 20:11-29

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” — and that He had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Jesus and Thomas

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and My God!” 29 Jesus said to Him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. John 20:11-29

 

Discussion Questions

  1. Mary’s encounter shows how Jesus meets us in grief (vv. 11–16). How have you experienced Christ’s presence in seasons of sorrow?                                                                                                                                      
  2. The disciples received peace and mission when Jesus appeared (vv. 19–23). How does Jesus’ resurrection bring you peace in fearful circumstances today?                                                                                                             
  3. Thomas doubted until he saw the wounds of Christ (vv. 24–29). How does Jesus meet us in our doubts, and how can the church be a safe place for honest questions?                                                                                              
  4. John’s purpose statement (vv. 30–31) is for all who read. How does this chapter strengthen your faith personally?                                                                                       
  5. Which character’s encounter resonates most with your own walk with God right now, and why?                                                                                   


END



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