Prepare for class

Christ is risen, and His resurrection grounds the hope of those who belong to Him. Scripture looks toward death’s defeat, creation’s freedom, and God dwelling with His people. This hope gives purpose to faithful work now.

Provide each student with a worksheet and Scripture reader. Read the passages and teaching guide in advance. Invite participation without requiring personal disclosures.

50-minute flow: Welcome and opening prayer, 5 minutes; Scripture and teaching, 25 minutes; discussion, 10 minutes; weekly response, 5 minutes; closing prayer, 5 minutes.

Learning aims

  • Connect Christ’s resurrection with Paul’s promise of resurrection life.
  • Trace the course’s creation and dwelling themes into Revelation.
  • Name a faithful response to hope that includes grief, patience, and service.

Opening conversation

Invite the class to name themes from the course: life as gift, broken relationship, covenant, God’s presence, Christ, new life, and service. Ask: “What would remain unfinished if death and corruption had the final word?” Allow quiet reflection.

Class Scripture readings · KJV

1 Corinthians 15:20–28 KJV

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:42–58 KJV

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Revelation 21:1–5 KJV

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Revelation 22:1–5 KJV

1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

1. Christ is the firstfruits

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:20–28. See the class or supporting readings on this page.

Paul announces that Christ has risen and become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. The image connects the first part of a harvest with what follows. As death came through a man, resurrection comes through Christ.

Paul describes an order centered on Christ, His people at His coming, His reign, and the defeat of the final enemy, death. Our hope rests on His victory. Read the sequence as Paul presents it without requiring the class to settle every disagreement about an end-times timetable.

Ask: What does firstfruits tell us about the relation between Christ’s resurrection and our hope?

2. Raised in incorruption

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:42–58. See the class or supporting readings on this page.

Paul contrasts corruption with incorruption, dishonor with glory, weakness with power, and a natural body with a spiritual body. His promise is transformed embodied life through God’s power. The phrase spiritual body should not be reduced to a memory of the deceased or to a claim that creation has no value.

The passage announces victory over death through Jesus Christ. Paul’s concluding instruction is practical: remain steadfast and abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that this labor is not in vain. Resurrection hope supports patient faithfulness.

Ask: Why does Paul end his teaching about resurrection with an instruction about present work?

3. Hope can groan and grieve

Read: Romans 8:18–25; John 11:25–26, 32–36. See the class or supporting readings on this page.

Romans describes creation groaning and believers awaiting the redemption of the body. Hope concerns what is not yet seen and involves patient waiting. The presence of suffering does not mean that God’s promise has failed.

In John 11, Jesus declares Himself the resurrection and the life, yet He also weeps at Lazarus’s tomb. Trust and grief can be present together. Give those who mourn permission to be honest, and offer companionship rather than demanding a cheerful response.

Ask: How do these passages help a community accompany someone who is grieving?

4. God dwells with His people

Read: Revelation 21:1–5; Revelation 22:1–5. See the class or supporting readings on this page.

John sees a new heaven and a new earth and hears that God’s dwelling is with humanity. Tears, death, sorrow, crying, and pain give way to His renewing work. The river of life, tree of life, and removal of the curse bring the course’s creation themes into a vision of restoration.

The throne of God and the Lamb stands at the center. His servants serve Him and see His face. This hope invites worship, care for people and creation, and perseverance. We serve faithfully now while trusting God to bring the fullness of restoration that human effort cannot produce.

Ask: Which connection with the opening lessons helps you understand the course as one story?

Supporting Scripture · KJV

Romans 8:18–25 KJV

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

John 11:25–26 KJV

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

John 11:32–36 KJV

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Discuss together

What makes Christian resurrection hope more than wishful thinking in Paul’s argument?

Suggested response for the teacher

It is grounded in Christ’s resurrection and God’s promised victory over death.

What does Paul say about work in the Lord?

Suggested response for the teacher

It is not in vain; believers should remain steadfast and abound in it.

Does hope require hiding grief?

Suggested response for the teacher

No. Romans speaks of groaning and waiting, and Jesus weeps in John 11.

Which creation themes return in Revelation?

Suggested response for the teacher

Life, the tree of life, the end of the curse, and God’s presence with His people.

This week’s response

Invite each person to complete three statements: “I have come to understand…,” “I still want to explore…,” and “Because of this hope, I will….” Let each choose one ongoing practice of worship, Scripture reading, reconciliation, or service. Agree on a future gathering to share what the course has changed in daily life.

Closing prayer

God of life, thank You for raising Jesus Christ from the dead. Sustain those who grieve and strengthen those who are weary. Keep us faithful in the work You give us, and teach us to wait with hope for Your renewing presence. Amen.

Continue the journey

Continue by revisiting the passage that raised your strongest question. Read the surrounding chapter, discuss it with a trusted teacher, and connect your learning with a concrete practice of love.

Companion reading

Scripture: King James Version. Bible text is presented separately from teaching notes and prayers.