Resurrection, ascension and evangelical worship

Lesson on 25/11/25

Describe the resurrection

• 3 days after the crucifixion women took spices to the tomb of Jesus

• The stone was rolled away

• The tomb was empty - Jesus was gone

• An angel appeared and said “he is risen”

• Jesus appears but looks different and they didn’t recognise him

• Jesus said “greetings” and they realised it was him

• The women went to tell the disciples

• Jesus showed his stigmata (holes in hands) to Doubting Thomas - “he saw and he believed”

• Jesus revealed himself to hundreds of brothers and sisters

What is the resurrection

The belief that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, conquering death

What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for us when we die?

St Paul makes it clear that the resurrection proves to Christians that they will also be resurrected because it proved that there is an afterlife for them to go to.

They must have faith in the resurrection because “if Christ has not been raised, our faith is useless”.

Corinthians, The Resurrection of the Dead

Why is the resurrection important

1. Proof of atonement

2. Proves he is God the Son

3. Encourages faith

4. He is omnipotent

5. Uplifts women - he showed himself to the women first

What does the resurrection influence Christians to do

The resurrection influences Christians today to eat Easter eggs because they represent different features in the resurrection.

• Emptiness of egg = no Jesus in tomb

• Cracks on egg = cracks on tomb stone

• Egg = new life

Describe the ascension

• The ascension was 40 days after the resurrection

• Jesus gathered his disciples around before he went

• He gave the Greatest Commission - his last words

• He said “Go, make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.”

• Jesus went up to heaven on a cloud - “he went up”

• Jesus is now sitting on the “right hand side of the Father”

• Jesus now judges who goes to heaven and h(e)ll

What is the ascension

40 days after the resurrection Jesus went back to heaven.

What is the importance of the ascension

1. Shows Jesus’ omnipotence (he went to heaven when he was alive, floated up)

2. Last words: Greatest Commission

3. Encourages Christ-like acts and faith in Jesus which can lead to heaven

What is Pentecost

The event of when the Holy Spirit came to disciples giving them courage to proclaim Jesus’ word.

What do Christians believe God sent so that we may live good lives

Christians believe that to live a good life, God sent the Holy Spirit to bring grace

What is ‘grace’

The supernatural gift of grace means Christians can pray for help from God to turn away from sin and live good lives

What do all Christians believe about the Holy Spirit

All Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world today

What is evangelical belief

Use a form of worship where worshippers are encouraged to be moved by the Spirit like the disciples during Pentecost. This movement means the Holy Spirit is present and influencing them in their prayers.

What is Roman Catholic belief

Strong connection to the Holy Spirit. They believe that at baptism the child enters the triune God.

Triune = three parts of God, trinity

What does the Holy Spirit do in Evangelical worship

• Worshippers are encouraged to be moved by the Holy Spirit

• It is present with them

• It leads the worship

• It influences them in prayer

• They often shout out, praise God, and testify their faith.

• They can be moved to speak in tongues- this is seen as a gift from the Holy Spirit.

• They focus on Bible teachings and sermons.

• The Holy Spirit might heal people (spiritually or physically)- ‘faith healing’