The Hope of Easter

Prepared by Dawn Mercer

The HOPE we have from Easter

Some suggestions for discussion: (Please add other suggestions.)

Read:  Ephesians 2: 1-10; 19-22

·       In what way were we dead (before we became Christians)? In what way does Paul say we are resurrected (alive) with Christ?

·       What is God’s gift to us? (See v 8)

Read: John 20: 1-10  11-18

·       Where is HOPE embodied in Easter morning? What is that hope based on?

·       How did the HOPE of Easter morning change people – disciples, Mary Magdelene, “the church”? How does it change us?

Reflections:

1.     What does God, in Christ, do with our hurt, anger, burdens, loss and evil.

2.     Where do you see death around you? (What is killing us?)

3.     Where do you see HOPE around you?

4.     Rev Philip suggested that the HOPE that comes from the resurrection is “new life, all the time, every day”. Where do you see new life even at these troubled and chaotic times? (Maybe make a list – mental, paper, phone etc. - when you are being dragged down.)

Prayers:

Thanks for answered prayers.

Prayer for others as requested.  

Pray together:

Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation in the church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.  And lead us into your resurrection Hope.

AMEN