Mary Magdalene’s next encounter at the tomb.
11 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, ‘“Rabboni!”’ - which means “Teacher.” 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
Believers can tell all people about the resurrected Jesus.
Encourage adults to imagine that they are in Mary’s sandals, standing by the tomb. Direct them to share emotions and feelings they might experience and write those on the board. Enlist a volunteer to read John 20:11-17 again.
Share that aside from her great joy, Mary also received an assignment from Jesus. identify how Jesus helps people know Him and understand Him better.
Lead the group to examine the words written beside the names on the board. Point out that each person came to believe in their own way. Explain that people often respond to Jesus in similar ways today.
An empty tomb and a living Savior changed the lives of Mary, Peter, and John. Thankfully, He still changes lives today. And He wants to use us to tell people who still need to hear.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 54 of the Personal Study Guide:
Share the lyrics to Chris Tomlin’s song “Resurrection Power.” Allow volunteers to share words and phrases that connect with them. Highlight how Jesus’s empty grave frees us from shame. Read aloud Hebrews 4:14-16 as the group reflects on what it means to have a High Priest.
Direct the group’s attention to the inside front cover of the PSG. Briefly walk through the Plan of Salvation. Challenge adults to spend a minute talking to God about their relationship with Him. Let adults know that you are available to talk with anyone who has not received Jesus as Savior. Remind them that Easter is a perfect day to make that life-changing decision.
Close the group time with a prayer, praising God for the empty tomb. Thank God for giving us a High Priest and ask Him to help each adult to live out the reality of Easter each day.
Point out that songs about the resurrection have resonated with Christ followers through the years. In 1708, Charles Wesley wrote “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.” In 1933, Alfred H. Ackley composed “He Lives.” In 1971, Bill and Gloria Gaither penned “Because He Lives.” And in 2023, Phil Wickham released “Sunday is Coming.” Direct adults to work in four teams, giving each team a copy of the lyrics to one of these songs. ( NOTE: An individual can be a team.) Instruct the teams to read their songs and to summarize how they proclaim the hope of Easter. After a few minutes, allow the teams to report. Enlist someone to lead the group in singing one of the songs or reading it responsively.