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Primary Scripture: Mark 15:16–26; John 19:28–35; Matthew 28:1–10

Supporting Scripture: John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 15:17–20

Big Idea: The Resurrection definitely happened, and it changes everything

This week in student ministry, we focused on one of the most important questions of the Christian faith: Did the resurrection really happen? We challenged students to see that this isn’t just a story we celebrate—it’s a truth that impacts their identity, purpose, and future.

Students walked through the events leading up to and including the resurrection. In Mark 15:16–26 and John 19:28–35, they saw that Jesus’ death was real, brutal, and confirmed by eyewitnesses. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He fully accomplished what He came to do—pay the price for sin.

Then, in Matthew 28:1–10, students encountered the reality of the empty tomb. The angel’s announcement—“He is not here… He is risen”—wasn’t symbolic, but a declaration of a real event. Jesus appeared to His followers, and everything changed.

We also addressed common objections to the resurrection, such as whether the disciples were lying, hallucinating, or if Jesus didn’t actually die. Looking at John 20:19, students saw that the disciples were originally afraid and hiding—but after encountering the risen Jesus, they became bold and willing to risk everything. This helped students understand that faith in the resurrection isn’t blind—it’s something that can be thoughtfully explored.

In 1 Corinthians 15:17–20, students were reminded that if Jesus didn’t rise, our faith would be meaningless—but because He did, sin is defeated and hope is alive. The resurrection proves that Jesus is who He said He is and gives us a reason to live differently.

We highlighted three important principles for students:

Jesus really died and rose again – The resurrection is rooted in real, historical events, not just belief or tradition.

The resurrection stands up to questions – Students can wrestle with doubts and explore their faith with confidence.

The resurrection changes everything – Because Jesus is alive, we have hope, forgiveness, and purpose.

Students were also encouraged to take three important steps:

Ask BIG questions – Faith grows when students are honest and curious about what they believe.

Invite someone into the conversation – Whether it’s church, youth group, or a simple conversation, students can share what they’re learning.

Embrace the truth personally – The resurrection isn’t just something to understand—it’s something to live out.

Ways you can support your student at home:

Ask: What stood out to you about the resurrection this week?

Discuss: Do you have any questions or doubts about whether the resurrection really happened?

Share: Talk about how the resurrection has shaped your own faith and hope.

Encourage spiritual growth: Consider reading Matthew 28:1–10 together and talking about what it means for your daily life.

Our prayer is that students would grow in their confidence that Jesus is alive, feel free to ask honest questions, and begin to live with boldness and hope because of the resurrection. Thank you for partnering with us as we help students build a faith that is real, thoughtful, and life-changing.