1 Corinthians 15:3-10
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
Jesus appeared to:
- Peter (Cephas)
- His twelve closest friends — “The Twelve”
- 500+ eyewitnesses
- James
- All the apostles
- Thomas
John 20:24–27
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
This is why scars matter…
it’s not to remind us of the , but of the that only God can accomplish.
John 20:28–29
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus his scars so that he could yours.
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Small Group Questions
- How did you celebrate Easter this year?
- Do you have any scars? What’s the story behind one of them?
- Read 1 Corinthians 15 out loud. What impacts you about the people Jesus chose to personally see that he was alive?
- From your perspective, why do scars matter to Jesus?
- Thomas needed proof to believe. What proof did you need to begin following Jesus?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?