Small Group Teaching Plan

Session 81: Resurrection

Key Question: After I am resurrected, what will my body be like?
Biblical Truth: Believers will receive permanent bodies with no imperfections.

(Note: Questions or activities that are more appropriate for younger youth or for older youth are marked by “YY” or
“OY” respectively.”)

Preparation: Preview the video for this session. (See clip on this CD.) Read Daniel 12:1-3; John 5:25-29; 6:38-39;
1 Corinthians 15:35-38,50-57; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Philippians 3:21; and “Background for the Bible Passages, Session
81.”

After the Video:

1. Ask: Why was Anne worried about what would happen to her after she died? What do you believe happens to a
person when he or she dies? Distribute the “Eternal Questions” handout. Instruct students to record questions they
have about the topics listed on this handout. Direct them to leave room after each question for a possible answer. Say:
We are required, as believers, to trust God’s plan for eternity. Distribute “Session 81 Outline” and review with
students. Say: In reviewing this outline, you will begin to find some answers to questions you have about the
resurrection.
2. Ask:
 What excites you about the resurrection? What puzzles you?
 What would you change about your body? How do our earthly bodies fail us?
Say: Any time the resurrection is discussed, one of the questions asked is: What will my body be like in heaven?
Ask: How would you answer that question?
3. Call on a volunteer to read aloud Daniel 12:1-3. Ask:
 What will happen to those who “sleep in the dust”? (YY)
 What is the good news and the bad news for those who rise from the dead?
 Do you expect to find your name “written in the book”?
4. Call on a volunteer to read aloud John 5:25-29. Ask:
 Who will hear Jesus’ voice and what will happen?
 To whom did God give the right to grant eternal life?
 What is the difference between the resurrection of life and the resurrection of judgment? (OY)
5. Call on a volunteer to read aloud John 6:38-39. Ask:
 Why did Jesus come to earth? What was God’s will for Jesus?
6. Call on a volunteer to read aloud 1 Corinthians 15:35-38. Ask:
 What example does Paul give to help explain the resurrected body? (YY)
 Who determines what kind of body you will have at the resurrection?
 How does trusting God for your future body help you?
7. Call on a volunteer to read aloud 1 Corinthians 15:50-57. Ask:
 What will happen to us at the resurrection?
 What are some characteristics of the new bodies we receive at the resurrection?
 How did Jesus win the victory over death? How can you share in this victory?
8. Call on a volunteer to read aloud 2 Corinthians 5:1-5. Ask:
 What promise is given to believers?
 Why does this earthly “tent” cause us to groan?
 What guarantee do you have you will be resurrected to eternal life with Christ?
9. Call on a volunteer to read aloud Philippians 3:21. Ask:
 Into whose likeness will our bodies be transformed? By what power will we be transformed?
10. Close by explaining to students how they can know with certainty they will be resurrected to spend eternity with
Jesus. Review the “Eternal Questions” handout. Ask: Did you find answers to any of the questions you recorded on
this handout? Discuss student responses. Remind students to bring this handout back with them to the next session.

Options
1. Give each student a vegetable seed. Ask: What do you think this seed will become? Can you tell what it will
become just by looking at it? Hand each student his or her corresponding vegetable. Ask: Did your seed look like it
would become this vegetable? Was everything contained in the seed to become this vegetable? Lead students to
© 2007 LifeWay Press®. Fuel2: Owning Your Faith, Volume 7. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America.
 see the correlation of the seeds and vegetables to 1 Corinthians 15:35-38. Ask: Can we tell what our resurrected
bodies will become by looking at our earthly bodies? Say: In the same way that the seed becomes something
entirely different, your resurrected body will be entirely different than your earthly body.
2. Show students a copy of some legal paperwork that verifies you made a down payment for the purchase of something
(car, home, and so forth). Explain to students what your down payment and your signature means legally. Relate this to
2 Corinthians 5:1-5. Guide students to see that the Spirit is their down payment, guaranteeing them a place in heaven
with Jesus.

Continue
Hand out copies of the “Exploring the Bible Daily 81.” Encourage students to read the passages for today’s session.
Direct students as they read to write questions or insights.