by Barbara Trombly

Download a printable PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Easter 2 Gospel.

Text: John 20:19-31 for the Second Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Series A

Objectives

Participants will:

  1. Discover the ways in which God brings earthly life and spiritual life.
  2. Identify ways to witness the message of spiritual life.

Materials Needed

Bible

Pencil

Paper – 8 1/2 x 11″

Group Guidelines

The Bible study can be used with groups of 4-6 people. Determine the leader by the one who has seen a dentist or orthodontist most recently. The leader makes sure that each person in the group has the opportunity to share or to pass.

Building Community

  1. Share with the group your name and the type of toothpaste you use.
  2. Brainstorm a list of the different types of items you can use to keep your breath fresh. The adult leader can check with the groups to see who came up with the most.

Looking at God’s Word

  1. Who knows the steps of CPR? Discuss the steps or the steps you think should be taken to save someone’s life.
  2. Read Genesis 2:4-7. When did life begin for Adam? What kind of breath did he receive?
  3. Read John 20:19-23. How is this passage similar to the Genesis passage? What feelings are expressed in this passage? Why was Jesus sent? What does Jesus send us to do?
  4. Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. What did Paul receive according to verses 3-6? What motivated Paul to pass this on to the Corinthians? Who in your life has “spiritual bad breath” (doesn’t believe in Christ), and what can you do for them?

Reinforcing What Has Been Learned

  1. The existence of breath usually shows the existence of life. What actions in your life show that you are alive spiritually?
  2. Together as a group, develop a new spiritual breath freshener product. Draw a picture of it.

Closing

Write on a piece of paper the name of the person, who you mentioned earlier, who doesn’t believe in Christ as their Savior. Stand in a circle and place these names on the floor in the middle. Hold hands and pray this prayer: “Dear Lord, You have given each of us the breath of life. We ask that You would help us to pass on the message of You to these people listed here. We desire that they, too, would have Your Spirit of Life. In Your most powerful name, amen.”

 

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies 11, 1998.

Updated for youthESource in April 2014