Easter Sunday

1.  Mary Magdalene had been delivered from demons by Jesus (Luke 8:1-3) and had followed Jesus for several years.  She had seen his miracles and heard Jesus say he would rise from the dead.  In spite of that, read what Mary told Simon and John in Jn 20:2.  Why do you think she could not even consider that Jesus had done what he had promised to do?

2.  Since being delivered from demons (and possibly from prostitution) by Jesus, Mary’s life had been one of following and supporting Jesus.  What do you think she might have thought her future would be now that Jesus had died?  What counsel would you have given her?

3.  Read Mary’s story in Jn 20:11-18.  Describe the process that changed her from doubt to faith and from sadness to joy.  Have you ever experienced anything like this?

4.  Read Peter’s story in Jn 20:3-10 and 21:1-19.  After having experienced that Jesus was actually resurrected, why do you think Peter went back to fishing?

5.  Jesus met Peter by a fire after Peter had denied him by a fire and Jesus asked Peter to confess his love for him three times after Peter had denied Jesus three times.  Do you see any significance in that?

6.  When Jesus asked in Jn 21:15, "Peter, do you love me more?”  What do you think he wanted Peter to love him more than?

7.  Peter, who had recently failed Jesus completely, received a great commission from Jesus, I.e., to be the one who would feed his sheep.  What do you learn about Jesus from this encounter?  Do you think Jesus continues to call failures to do his work?