Women's Bible Study · aligned to Non-denominational
He Called Her by Name: Mary Magdalene at the Empty Tomb
The risen Jesus meets us personally in our grief and confusion, calls us by name, and sends us out as witnesses to the resurrection.
How this lesson was made
DiviNav AI drafted this lesson (Women's Bible Study, aligned to the Non-denominational statement of faith), then an automatic review checked it for Scripture accuracy, theology, sensitive content, and originality. No pastor has read it line by line, so treat it as a starting point: read it all the way through and adapt it to your group before you teach.
Lesson plan
Warmly welcome the women and set the tone with a brief word of expectation. Say something like: "Tonight we're going to stand with one woman at an empty tomb and watch what happens when the risen Jesus speaks her name. My prayer is that each of us hears Him speak ours." Open in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to make the resurrection fresh and personal for the group. Keep this tight so you protect time for discussion later.
Read John 20:1-18 (BSB) aloud slowly. Consider having three or four women read a few verses each so the passage is heard in different voices. Before reading, invite everyone to listen for one thing: where do they see Mary moving from despair to joy? Let the reading breathe; don't rush it. After reading, allow a few seconds of silence before moving on.
Walk through the passage in three movements. (1) GRIEF IN THE DARK (vv.1-2, 11): Mary comes 'while it was still dark,' both literally and in heart. She has already watched Jesus die; now even His body seems gone. Note that she stays and weeps when others have left. Grief that keeps seeking is not faithlessness. (2) SEEKING THROUGH TEARS (vv.13-15): Twice Mary is asked why she weeps (vv.13, 15), and she can only repeat what she has said since dawn: 'they have taken' Him, and 'I do not know' where (vv.2, 13). She even speaks to the risen Jesus without recognizing Him, mistaking Him for the gardener. Sometimes the Lord is nearer than our tears let us see. (3) CALLED BY NAME (vv.16-18): Everything turns on one word—'Mary.' The Good Shepherd calls His own sheep by name (John 10:3), and she knows His voice instantly: 'Rabboni!' Jesus doesn't let her cling to the past; He commissions her—'go and tell'—making her the first witness and messenger of the resurrection. Tie it back to Isaiah 43:1: the God who formed her is the God who redeemed her and calls her by name. Land the big idea: Jesus meets us personally, calls us by name, and sends us out. If you add a story, tell a true one from your own life or frame it as 'Imagine...' (for example, 'Imagine hearing your own name spoken by someone you love after a long time apart').
Move the group through the questions below, beginning with the warm-up to get everyone talking, then digging into the text, then landing on personal application. In a group of 9-20, consider breaking into clusters of 3-4 for the digging questions so everyone participates, then regather to share. Keep an eye on the clock and be ready to let the richest question run longer.
Give each woman an index card and a pen. Invite them to write their first name in the center. Around it, ask them to write one word or phrase describing where they are right now—like Mary, maybe 'in the dark,' 'searching,' 'weeping,' or maybe 'sent,' 'joyful,' 'waiting.' Then read John 20:16 aloud again, pausing after 'Jesus said to her' and inviting each woman to silently hear her own name in Jesus' voice. On the back of the card, have them write one sentence completing: 'Because the risen Jesus knows my name, this week I will...' Invite two or three volunteers to share if comfortable (never require it). Encourage them to take the card home as a reminder.
Gather the group back together. Briefly restate the big idea: the risen Jesus knows you by name and sends you out. Invite the women to pray in pairs for the 'this week I will...' step each wrote, or lead a corporate prayer if the group prefers. Close by praying over the group as witnesses of the resurrection, just as Mary was sent to 'go and tell.' Send them out with the words of Mary: 'I have seen the Lord!'
Discussion questions
- warmupWhen you picture Mary arriving at the tomb 'while it was still dark,' what do you imagine she was feeling and expecting?
- digMary keeps seeking and weeping even after others have gone home. What does her persistence in grief show us about faith and sorrow living side by side?
- digMary speaks with the risen Jesus but mistakes Him for the gardener. Why do you think she couldn't recognize Him, and when have you sensed that Jesus was nearer than you could see?
- digEverything changes the moment Jesus says 'Mary.' Why do you think hearing her own name opened her eyes when His questions had not?
- digJesus tells Mary not to cling to Him but to 'go and tell.' What does it mean that He turns her grief into a commission?
- applyWhere in your life right now do you most need to hear the risen Jesus speak your name?
- applyMary became the first person sent to announce 'I have seen the Lord!' Who is one person in your life God may be calling you to 'go and tell' this week?
Scripture
John 20:1 (BSB) — Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
John 20:11 (BSB) — But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb,
John 20:15 (BSB) — “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”
John 20:16 (BSB) — Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
John 20:17 (BSB) — “Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
John 20:18 (BSB) — Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.
John 10:3 (BSB) — The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Isaiah 43:1 (BSB) — But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!
Leader notes
Prep checklist
- Read John 20:1-18 several times during the week and pray through the three movements of the teaching so you can deliver it warmly, not just read it.
- Pre-select three or four confident readers for the opening Scripture reading, or ask when the group gathers.
- Decide in advance how you'll form small clusters of 3-4 for the digging questions, and choose a simple signal to regather.
- Prepare index cards and pens before anyone arrives so the activity flows without delay.
- Running short on time? Compress the 'Reading the Passage Together' segment by having one person read instead of several, and if discussion is full, drop the second warm-up-level dig question about recognizing Jesus as the gardener—but always keep the application questions and the closing prayer.
- Be sensitive that this passage touches grief; some women may carry fresh loss. Let the activity's sharing stay fully optional, and be ready to follow up gently and personally with anyone who is clearly struggling, encouraging professional or pastoral help where needed. Keep the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, 24/7) on hand, and call 911 for immediate danger.
Materials
- Bibles (BSB preferred) or printed copies of John 20:1-18
- Index cards (one per woman, plus extras)
- Pens or pencils for everyone
- Optional: a whiteboard or paper to note the three movements of the passage during teaching
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