Men's Bible Study · aligned to Baptist
He Is Risen: Why the Empty Tomb Changes Everything
Because Jesus truly rose from the dead, our sins are forgiven, our faith is not futile, and we are called to live new lives of bold, living hope.
Review & safety checks
This is a well-structured, theologically sound Easter lesson plan that aligns clearly with Baptist evangelical distinctives. The teaching centers on the historical fact and salvific meaning of the resurrection, with strong Scripture anchors and a natural application to baptism as a picture of death-and-resurrection. The discussion questions are thoughtfully layered (warmup → dig → apply), and the index-card activity grounds the message in personal obedience. All Scripture references check out. The leader notes are thorough and practical. No plagiarism, theology, or sensitive-content flags detected. Ready to use.
No theology, sensitivity, or plagiarism issues flagged. Reviewed against the Baptist Statement of Faith.
Lesson plan
Welcome the men and briefly frame the night: Easter is the center of the Christian faith, not a side story. Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 aloud as the anchor text, then open in prayer asking God to help each man grasp the reality and power of the resurrection. Keep this tight and focused — no announcements that derail the start.
Walk through three movements. (1) THE FACT — The resurrection is a historical claim, not a feeling. Point to the empty tomb (Luke 24:6-7), the eyewitnesses (1 Cor 15:5-8), and the transformed, willing-to-die-for-it apostles. The earliest church staked everything on a bodily, raised Jesus. (2) THE MEANING — Read 1 Corinthians 15:17. Paul is blunt: if Christ is not raised, our faith is worthless and we are still in our sins. But because He IS raised, the resurrection is God's public receipt that the cross worked — sin is paid for, death is defeated, and Jesus is Lord. Connect to John 11:25, Jesus' own claim to BE the resurrection. (3) THE DIFFERENCE — Read Romans 6:4 and 1 Peter 1:3. The resurrection is not just past history; it reshapes our present. We've been raised to 'walk in newness of life' and born again 'to a living hope.' As Baptists we see baptism by immersion as a vivid picture of this — going down into the water (death) and rising up (new life in the risen Christ). Land the plane on one challenge: a risen Lord is owed a living, obedient, hope-filled response — not just a holiday acknowledgment.
Move into the discussion questions below. With a medium group, consider breaking into pairs or threes for the warmup and digging questions, then come back together for the application question so every man speaks at least once. Keep momentum — aim for honesty over polish.
Hand each man an index card. Ask them to write one sentence completing: 'Because Jesus is alive, this week I will...' — naming one concrete area (a relationship to repair, a fear to surrender, a sin to put off, a person to share hope with). Have men pair up, read their card to one partner, and commit to a quick text check-in midweek. They keep the card in wallet or phone case as a reminder that the empty tomb has a claim on Monday through Saturday.
Briefly summarize the big idea: the empty tomb changes everything. Invite one or two men to pray aloud, thanking God for the risen Christ and asking for courage to live in newness of life. Dismiss with the ancient greeting: 'Christ is risen!' — 'He is risen indeed!'
Discussion questions
- warmupWhen you hear the word 'Easter,' what's the first image or memory that comes to mind — and how central has the resurrection actually been to your faith?
- digPaul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17 that if Christ wasn't raised, our faith is 'futile' and we're 'still in our sins.' Why does he make the whole faith rise or fall on this one event?
- digRomans 6:4 says we are raised to 'walk in newness of life.' What's the difference between believing the resurrection happened and actually living as if it did?
- apply1 Peter 1:3 calls it a 'living hope.' Where in your life right now do you most need that hope — and what would it look like to lean on the risen Christ there this week?
- applyWho is one man in your circle who needs to hear that Jesus is alive, and what's one natural step you could take to share that with him before next Easter?
Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (BSB) — For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:17 (BSB) — And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
Luke 24:6-7 (BSB) — He is not here, but has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.'
John 11:25 (BSB) — Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies."
Romans 6:4 (BSB) — We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.
1 Peter 1:3 (BSB) — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Leader notes
Prep checklist
- Read 1 Corinthians 15 in full and pray over the session earlier in the week.
- Mark and practice reading the six key passages aloud so transitions are smooth.
- Decide in advance whether you'll break into pairs/threes for discussion based on the men present.
- Prepare a short, personal example of how the resurrection gives you 'living hope' to prime the application exercise.
- Think through how to gently affirm the Baptist view of baptism as a picture of death-and-resurrection without turning it into a debate.
- Recruit or pre-identify one or two men willing to pray aloud at the close.
- Time-check yourself: keep the teaching to 25 minutes so discussion and the activity aren't squeezed.
Materials
- Bibles (or a printed handout of the six passages)
- Index cards — one per man
- Pens for each man
- Optional: whiteboard or flip chart to outline the three points (Fact / Meaning / Difference)
- Watch or phone timer to stay on schedule
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