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Adult Sunday SchoolLesson Date: July 16, 2006

Focal Scripture Passage: Matthew 20:17-19; 27:62-64; 28:1-20; Acts 2:25-31

AIM: To lead adults to learn that Jesus arose from the dead just as He promised, and tothank the Lord for perfectly fulfilling the prophecies concerning His resurrection.

INTRODUCTION(Create Learning Readiness): Write the word DEATH on the markerboard or chalkboard. Ask: How does death affect the plans of the person who dies? (itinterrupts or cancels them). If possible, tell about someone you knew who diedunexpectedly, without achieving his or her career, family, or personal goals.

Tell the class that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, grew to maturity in Galilee, andhad an amazing ministry for three years throughout Galilee and Judea. His ministrytouched many people, including many who were miraculously healed. In the prime ofHis life, however, He was brutally killed on a Roman cross. Some people, including Hisdisciples, probably wondered why such a good man was cut down at such an early age.

Tell the class today they will learn that Jesus arose from the dead, and that Hisresurrection was a direct fulfillment of Jesus own promises, as well as Old Testamentprophecies.

HEART OF THE LESSON(Bible Study):

1. Briefly review the study in Isaiah by reading the lesson titles of the previous lessons.Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 28:1-10. Ask the following questions.

a. What happened when the women were coming to the tomb? (there was anearthquake, and an angel rolled the stone away from the tombs entrance).

b. What happened to the guards? (they collapsed with fear).c. What did the angel say about Jesus? (He is not here: for He is risen).d. What did the angel tell them to do? (go tell the news to Jesus disciples).e. Who did they see when they were going to tell the disciples? (Jesus).f. What did Jesus tell them to do? (go tell the disciples to meet Him in Galilee).

2. Read Matthew 28:11-15. Ask: How did the Jewish elders and chief priests try to

cover up the news about Jesus resurrection? (they bribed the guards, so they wouldsay Jesus disciples stole His body). Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 28:16-20, andask the class what Jesus told His disciples to do (tell others the Good News and leadthem to faith in Him).

3. Remind the class that death unexpectedly interrupts the lives of many people, as youdiscussed during the introductory step of this lesson. Jesus life, however, was notinterrupted or cut short by His death, because His mission on earth was to die on the

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cross to pay the penalty for our sin. Rather than being interrupted by death, Jesusearthly ministry was completed by His death and resurrection.

4. Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 20:17-19. Ask: What did Jesus clearly predict inthese verses? (His betrayal, death, and resurrection). This is just one of many suchpredictions Jesus made (Matt. 17:9; 26:32; Mark 8:31; 9:9; 9:31; 10:34; 14:28; Luke

18:33). Say: If these predictions were secret and only known to His disciples, thenthe disciples might have actually made them up after He died and arose from thedead. Read Matthew 27:62-64, and ask the class what these verses reveal aboutJesus promises to arise from the dead (they were well known to the Jews).

5. The disciples had a hard time believing Jesus promises to rise from the dead, until itactually happened. Once it did, however, they realized His resurrection was afulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Ask a volunteer to read Acts 2:25-31.Remind them that Peter spoke these words just 7 weeks after Jesus crucifixion andresurrection (and just 10 days after Jesus ascended to heaven). Peter quoted fromPsalm 16:8-10, written 1,000 years before Jesus earthly ministry. Ask: What didPeter realize these words from the Old Testament predicted? (Jesus resurrectionfrom the dead).

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Tell the class that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, conquereddeath. He did this just as the Old Testament predicted, and just as He promised. Everyother religion worships or follows the teachings of a dead leader. Christians do notworship or follow a dead leader we follow the risen Lord Jesus Christ. He is alivetoday, having come back to life just as He promised He would.

Ask: In what ways can we apply the truth of this lesson to our lives? Be sure thefollowing are brought out:

If anyone present has never accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior andLord, they should do so today.

Those who are already saved should thank the Lord for keeping His promise toarise from the dead.

Those who are saved should thank the Lord for producing spiritual life in them,since they formerly were dead in trespasses and sins.

Just as Jesus and the angel commanded the women, and as Jesus commanded Hisdisciples, those who know Jesus Christ should tell others the Good News.

Encourage class members to apply the truths of this lesson to their

lives in whatever ways they feel led. Lead a closing prayer ofcommitment and thanksgiving.