SESSION ONE: Do we neglect the resurrection?

Welcome to the online study guide for Raised With Christ. This study guide is being written over the next few weeks, and we would like to encourage YOU to play your part in this process. In the book’s acknowledgments  section Adrian thanks a number of people who helped him in various ways (this section is also available on Facebook). As much as editing the book was very much a group effort, we hope that the online community can help each other study and respond to reading it.  Most importantly, as you read, remember to both pray that God will help you, and to think carefully about what you read. Please do consider suggesting more study questions for this or future sessions.

Adrian invites you to discuss these questions with him and each other on Twitter, just include @adrianwarnock in your Tweet, or follow the link to read others posts.

To discuss any of these questions online, please tweet your thoughts (you are welcome to post more than once!) or comment on Facebook.

As we begin, We appreciate some of you may not have got your copy of the book yet, so this first session covers all the introductory material, chapter 1 and chapter 4 which is available free online. If you have only got time today to read one chapter, read chapter 4.  It is not essential for you to have read the relevant chapters to benefit from considering together the following questions, though obviously it will help.  If you haven’t yet read them, thinking through these questions will help you as you then approach reading the book.  Why not join us online or form your own group to help you work through the book.

A brief video introduction may be of help before we begin, and please remember to pray before and after you carry out this exercise. Suggestions for how to pray are found at the end of this page.

Dowload on Vimeo..

Please begin by reading 1 Corinthians 15:1-22

QUESTION ONE. Do you agree that we neglect the resurrection? If so why? Paul here outlines the very core of the gospel.  In the opening verses he clearly states that the cross and resurrection of Jesus are the twin foundations of our faith.  Would you agree that some of the gospel presentations you have heard over the years have not emphasized the resurrection equally with the cross? Do Christian preachers under-emphasize the cross? Do we neglect the resurrection:

  • In our conversations with other Christians?
  • In our reading?
  • In our thinking?
  • In our preaching?
  • In our evangelism?

Do you think we neglect the resurrection? If so share some examples and also discuss why you think this is. (For ideas see chapter 4).


QUESTION TWO Paul goes on to say that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith is futile and we should be pitied.  Why do you think Paul says this?


QUESTION THREE What are the consequences of our neglect of the resurrection? Think about each of the areas we spoke about in question 1. Do you agree that it is possibly because we don’t talk enough about the resurrection, we could even find that fewer people in our churches and outside believe it it?  Do you think that if we spoke about it more we would see more conversions? Do you agree with the sentiment of the following quotes:

“Christianity is in its very essence a resurrection religion.  The concept of resurrection lies at its heart.  If you remove it, Christianity is destroyed.”
— John Stott

“When we assume the gospel we are one generation away from denying it.”
— Don Carson


QUESTION FOUR How should we define a Christian? Adrian offers the following definition of a Christian:
“A Christian is someone who believes in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ and lives in light of the implications of that event.”

He supports that definition by quoting the following verse:

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”
— Romans 10:9
Do you agree with Adrian’s definition of a Christian? Have you heard other definitions that you have found helpful?


QUESTION FIVE What are / were your expectations before reading this book and/or joining this study group? How do you hope God will help you through it?


Pray
Ask God to help you understand what he wants you to learn from this book. Tell him you are ready for him to change your thinking and behavior so it lines up closer to Scripture. Ask him to open your mind to his truth, and inspire you afresh with a new awareness of the resurrection and enthronement of our Lord Jesus. Pray for other readers of the book, both those you know and others from all over the world. Ask God to do the same thing for them as they read, and that his kingdom will be advanced through this and other books.

PROCEED TO PART TWO