Living Easter

April 4/5, 2015

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Christ died for our sins, He was buried and He was raised again. 

• Why do you feel Paul felt it was of great importance?
• IMAGINE what it would have been like to see Jesus. What would be your reaction? Would you be afraid? Would you be ashamed? Would you be amazed? Would you rejoice? 
• What do the lives of those witnesses of the resurrection tell us about the reliability of their testimony? How does your own testimony reflect what you believe?

living easter

American Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been imprisoned in Iran since July 2012 and is still currently in a prison where torture and executions are commonplace because he was preaching the gospel, believes and lives out the resurrection daily. He recently wrote his son this letter:

To my dear beloved son Jacob,

I saw your beautiful birthday invitation that you had made me and I know how much you want me to be there on your birthday. Daddy loves you so much.  I long to be there for your birthday and to make this reunion happen, but my chains are keeping me from you. I want you to know that although I might NOT BE THERE and you might

feel my absence, there is One who always IS. One who is always there with you and who can meet all of your needs under any condition. I might not be there on your birthday and that breaks my heart as your father. But I know the One who is there on your birthday who is there for you and cares for you more than anyone could imagine. HE IS THERE with you and His name is I AM WHO I AM.

I AM WHO I AM. It means that God is there with you in every situation that you are going through. This is the name that God introduced Himself when meeting with Moses in the burning bush when God’s people were crying out to Him and were feeling His absence. Today there are many people around the world who are experiencing the same things that the people of God were experiencing and that you are experiencing. They are crying out to God and might not be feeling His Presence. They are wondering where is God in all of this. But I want you to remember that despite what you feel, He is always there with you. Even though I AM NOT there with you, I AM is there with you. God came in human flesh in Jesus Christ all the way from heaven to the earth to give us the gift of salvation by being crucified on the cross for the punishment of our sin.

So on this special day, I want you to accept this gift of salvation. Invite Jesus into your heart as you have invited me to your birthday. So happy birthday to my big boy and my hero, Jacob Cyrus Abedini. Thank you for standing strong with me in this battle for the Glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Your proud Dad,

Saeed

Pastor Saeed believes his hope is not in this life but in the next life and that even in his situation God is always with him and it is only by the grace of God that we are who we are. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus changes our past, empowers and focuses our present and gives hope to our future. 

• How is this true in your life? 
• We are called to celebrate the resurrection daily. TALK with your group about things that help you celebrate the resurrection every day. Maybe it’s saying prayers of thanks everyday. Maybe it's spending time in God's Word.
• How do you believe and live out the resurrection? How can celebrating and living Easter be different? TAKE TIME to think of some practical ways to live it out? Which ones do you find the most challenging? Which ones are easy? Which ones affect and help those around you? How does the apostle, Paul, explain that he was living Easter?
• CHOOSE at least one activity that you can be intentional about living Easter this week.

  

next steps

   worship
You may want to take this time of remembrance to celebrate communion together as a group.

THANK YOU to everyone who SHARED by creating space for Easter visitors and attending on Saturday evening. THANK YOU to all who SERVED in the multitude of ways that are needed for Easter services. You're a SUPER HUGE blessing to the church, and we pray that God blessed you in your service to others.

   belong
Summer softball teams are now forming, both co-ed and men's teams. Call Tony Engedal at 715.559.9548 or email him at tony@jacobswellec.org to find more info about spring practice and summer games.   

   

   grow

Further reading:
     The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

Our view of God shapes how we live, whether we're aware of it or not. THE GOOD AND BEAUTIFUL GOD group will help us trade in our false views of God for true ones and give us practical tools for becoming more like Jesus. Starts April 2 @6:30pm at JW. Call Marty & Carol Schultz for more info at 715.382.4530 or email them at schultzmc@charter.net. 

Milestones coming up:

• The Sex and Dating Milestone class will equip parents of middle school students to help their students navigate the world of sex and dating. If this is something you're interested in or know of other parents who this may affect, join us Satuday, April 11 @5pm in the North Venue. Call or email Paul Behnke at 715.833.2050 or paulbehnke@jacobswellec.org.
• Our next Family Dedication Milestone class is Saturday, April 18 @5pm in the North Venue. Parents will be encouraged and resourced as they prepare for the dedication services on April 25/26. Sign up at the Welcome Center, or Erika can answer any questions you may have at 715.833.2050 or erika@jacobswellec.org.

New to Jacob’s Well? Never attended this Lunch with the Pastors before? This is your next step! Join us Sunday, April 12 @12:15pm in Room 223 to learn more about Jacob’s Well, get answers to your questions, meet the pastors and staff, and enjoy some good food together. Bring the kids! No need to sign up. Just show up!

   serve
Know someone who's loves technology? Invite them to serve on the JW Tech Team as a camera or media operator or sound tech. Contact Syd at 715.833.2050 or syd@jacobswellec.org.

   share

JW is hosting the Empowered To Connect Simulcast — a two-day conference equipping you to connect with and help children become all that God desires them to be. Join us April 10/11 from 9am-5pm each day in the North Venue. Registration is $5 and is available up until the event. Sign up at the welcome center or online at www.jacobswellec.org.