Jesus’ Last Words 3 – I Am Sending You Grace Lutheran Bible Study 1. Can you think of a time you were sent on an important job, errand, or mission of some kind? How does being sent to do something important make you feel?
2. Jesus had a lot to get done on the first Easter. On his to do list was, “Send the disciples to do something important.” We’ll learn about that today.
John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews. 3. The disciples locked the doors because of fear of the Jews. Was their fear well founded?
4. What causes you to “lock your doors”? Are our fears well founded?
John 20:19-20 Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 5. Jesus came, stood, and spoke. How did he get in when the doors were locked?
6.
“Peace be with you.” Of all the things he could have said, why did Jesus start with that?
7. Why did Jesus show them his hands and side?
8. “The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” Describe what their excitement might have looked and sounded like.
9. How does Jesus get past our walls and speak peace to us?
John 20:21-23 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you! Just as the Father has sent me, I am also sending you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven. Whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 10. “Just as” is a loaded phrase. First of all, in what way did the Father send the Son? 11. How were those first disciples sent “just as” Jesus was?
12. How are we sent “just as” Jesus was?
13. Where God calls, he equips. How, in that locked room on Easter evening, did Jesus equip the disciples for the calling he had given them?
14. In order to do what Jesus has sent you to do, you need the Holy Spirit. How can you receive him?
15. One key part of the mission on which Jesus sent them is the forgiveness of sins. What qualified those disciples to forgive sins?
16. Are you qualified to forgive sins?
17. When in the world would it be a good thing not to forgive someone?
18. When has forgiveness been hard for you to give? To receive?
19. What should we do when forgiveness is hard?