Family Dinner & Devos, Apr 1-7

LIVING THE RESURRECTION

Note – Easter is not just one day – it is 50 days long – a whole season of Easter!  During this season we will be talking about “living the resurrection” and asking ourselves each week this question (or a version thereof): 

“Where did you experience joy in life this week?”

Learn-By-Heart Verse for the Week (NIV Translation):

Jesus came and stood among them and said, 
“Peace be with you!” John 19:b

This Week’s Scripture Passage:  John 20:19-31

Quote for the Week:

“The land of the living is obviously not a vacation paradise.  It’s more like a war zone.  And that’s where we Christians are stationed, along with the children, to affirm primacy over death, to give witness to the connectedness and preciousness of all life, to engage in the practice of resurrection.” Pastor Eugene Peterson from the book Living the Resurrection

Read the scripture passage and then ponder these questions as a family (simplify for younger children – or rephrase as you need to – and if you only talk about one thing – like “peace” – then rest in that one connection you had)…

1.  Do you feel at peace?  Why or why not? 

2.  How might “resurrection-living” equate to “peaceful-living”?

3.  The phrase “doubting Thomas” usually carries a negative tone.  Yet does Jesus ever rebuke Thomas?  Did you notice that Jesus lets Thomas touch him?  Jesus does say “blessed are those who believe and have not seen.”  However, it seems that Jesus is not opposed to “signs and wonders.”  In fact, Jesus seems to make appearances all over the place.  Share a time when you “saw” God and that moment helped your belief in God deepen.

4.  Did you notice that the disciples kept themselves behind locked doors?  They were fearful.  What fear or fears do you carry at this time?  How might you let Jesus enter in and transform that fear?

And the “resurrection” question…

Each week during this Season of Easter, ask one another around the table a version of the following question… “Where did you experience joy in life this week?” or “When did you feel fully alive?” or “When did you experience the abundant life that Jesus promised?” or “Where did you experience life in its fullness?”

Book study…

An invitation to adults… do you ever wonder what “resurrection” means in your daily life?  Why does Easter make such a difference?  How do we live fully?  You are invited to read Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson; in early and mid-May, group discussion times based on the book will be offered.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We give thanks that in you, Lord, death is not the last word.

We give you thanks for new life, for spring flowers, for signs of hope.

Help us, Lord Jesus, to grow in our understanding of what it is to “live the resurrection,”

            this Easter season and always.

We pray this in the name of the Living God,

Amen.