NextGen Leaders: April- June 2023

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp.

Master Teacher is the teacher’s quarterly to be used with Adult Christian Life and College and Career. Each lesson contains extensive biblical exposition and specific instructions for the teacher. The outline of the lesson is reader-friendly, and includes suggestions for maximizing teacher/student interaction and topics for making the study informative and enriching. It follows the International Uniform Sunday School Lesson Outline from the National Council of Churches.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Mar 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886350647

Book preview

LESSON FOR WEEK OF APRIL 2, 2023 LESSON 1

AMAZING ENCOUNTERS

Unifying Topic: The Empty Tomb

Focal Scripture: Luke 24:1–12 • Background Scripture: Luke 24:1–12

Let’s Get Started...

Today’s lesson focuses on the resurrection narrative. Luke’s resurrection narrative has its own accent and purpose, which makes up the entire twenty-fourth chapter and today’s lesson focuses on the empty tomb. Each report has its own set of details, but there are some elements that they all have in common—the tomb was found empty early in the morning, and Mary Magdalene was present. Today’s lesson focuses on the women who faithfully sojourned to Christ’s tomb on Resurrection Sunday, the empty tomb, and the disciples’ reaction of cynicism to the news of Christ’s resurrection. The women who had been at the crucifixion made plans to return to the grave on Sunday so that they could finish covering Jesus’ body with spices.

Remember This...

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5, KJV)

Additional Resources

Boyd’s Commentary for the Sunday School

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Get into the Lesson

1. THE WOMEN

(LUKE 24:1–7)

NOTES

One of the most notable features of Luke’s gospel and resurrection narrative is that women are featured and essential. Luke’s gospel implies a closeness between the women and the disciples. The women were themselves considered disciples. Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, mother of James, and other women with them not named (24:10). Mary Magdalene traveled with and supported Jesus and the disciples, according to Luke 8. She is mentioned more than any woman in the gospels. After observing the laws of the Sabbath, these dedicated and faithful Galilean women were willing to see the burial of Jesus through to the end and did what was necessary. Early Sunday morning, at the breaking of dawn, the women prepared and headed to the tomb. The women were willing to journey through the dark carrying spices and inconveniencing themselves to fulfill their devotion to Jesus. Luke writes that the women brought with them spices they had prepared. The women were dedicated; despite their grief, disappointment, hurt, fear, and the inconvenient journey, the women still decided to show up to prepare Jesus’ body. The women do not show up at the tomb emptyhanded. In those days, spices were used to prepare and preserve corpses for burial, much like modern embalming practices are used (2 Chr. 16:14). On Friday after the crucifixion, the women were ready for the anointing of Jesus’ body on the day after the Sabbath since they could not make preparations on the Sabbath (Luke 23:56). The women planned to use the spices to preserve Jesus’ body and to keep the stench of death away. Spices were used to delay decay and lessen the odor or stench of death and decay. The women came to preserve their hope in Jesus, the one in whom they put their faith. The women went to the tomb to preserve Jesus’ body because He had given them hope for a bright future and better days. They were faithful even as others had forsaken Him.

LIFE.POINT

The experience of resurrection causes us to sprint to confirm the good news that we experience in Jesus Christ.

LESSON.POINT

We may encounter the glorious in the most unexpected of places, like a tomb. Even there we can experience the miraculous acts of God.

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2. EMPTY TOMB

(LUKE 24:8–12)

NOTES

In first-century Israel, large stones were used to seal the entrance of tombs. The large stone’s purpose was to prevent people or animals from gaining access to the corpses. In Mark’s account of the Resurrection, the women discuss the problem of moving the stone away from the grave. Luke, on the other hand, states that when the women arrive, the stone has already been moved (v. 2). Either way, the unexpected had happened; the stone was removed. Thankfully, the women were curious and protective and saw the rolled-away stone as an invitation to investigate and not as a source of fear. The women came to a cemetery and find new possibilities. The women entered without hesitation and did not find the body.

The women find the tomb open without Jesus’ body (v. 3). Of course, the empty tomb in and of itself is not sufficient evidence to confirm Resurrection; it simply affirms the absence of the body. Luke records that while the women were wondering and perplexed about the location of Jesus’ body, the empty tomb, and how the stone was removed, two men in dazzling bright clothing suddenly appeared (v. 4). Imagine the women’s puzzlement. What had happened? How could Jesus’ body go missing? As the women pondered these questions, two unknown men appeared. It is assumed by the clothing description that the two men were angels. The men reprimanded the women for seeking the living among the dead (v. 5). Jesus was not dead, and therefore He should not be sought out among dead things. The men remind the women that they should have known better because Jesus had foretold in Galilee that He would be betrayed, crucified, and resurrected on the third day (v. 6-7). It is also a reminder that the women were not just spectators of these events but also in Jesus’ inner circle as disciples. Often when life has been placed in crucibles and life’s difficult situations, believers forget what Jesus has previously said and need a heaven-sent reminder. In life’s confusion and perplexities, it’s essential to remind one’s self of the promises and statements of Christ. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus made many promises. These promises are assurances from Christ that will never go void. Take a moment to think about some of the promises Christ has made; salvation, guidance, protection, rest, renewal, eternal life, comfort, and the Holy Spirit. Remembering the words and promises of Jesus can brighten up the darkest situations and give new perspectives on difficult circumstances. The next time you face sickness, disappointment, or brokenness, remind yourself about Jesus’ promises.

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After the reminder from the angels, Luke states that the women remembered! These women had previously followed and supported Jesus. The women, unlike the Eleven, witnessed the gruesome execution of Jesus, which made them fitting and qualified witnesses to tell the resurrection story. Mary Magdalene and Joanna were previously listed in Luke Chapter 8 as supporters of Jesus in Galilee. They were qualified witnesses to testify about the resurrection of the Eleven. After all, the Eleven and other followers of Christ knew these women well and had traveled with them, spent time with them, witnessed the miracles of Jesus with them,