Just what is the Christian hope of resurrection?

Resurrection and Easter Faith
a 5-week online Lenten Bible study

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Sign up now for a free Bible Study The Glorious Kingdom

Piero della Francesca (1420-1492), "Resurrection" (1463-65), Mural in fresco and tempera, 225 x 200 cm, Pinacoteca Comunale, Sansepolcro. Larger image.

For many, Easter is a celebration of bright new dresses, Easter baskets, and jelly beans. But for Christians, Easter is our High Holy Day, the celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. In this free five-week Lenten study we'll examine Christ's resurrection in detail as well as our own expectation of resurrection after this life. Here's how we'll approach this week by week:
Introduction. Why is the resurrection of Christ so important?

1. The Promise of Resurrection from the Dead. An examination of the Old Testament expectation of the resurrection of the dead and Jesus' own teaching on resurrection in the context of the beliefs of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
2. The Gospel Accounts of Christ's Resurrection from the Dead. We examine the resurrection accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
3. Convincing Evidence of Christ's Bodily Resurrection. Christ's resurrection galvanized dazed followers into zealots who gave their lives preaching the resurrected Christ. What convinced them? Why do some Christians today soft-pedal the Bible's teaching of the physical resurrection? What proofs of Christ's resurrection should seekers consider?
4. The Present-Day Significance of Christ's Resurrection. What is the relationship of Jesus' resurrection to our salvation? What does it have to do with our spiritual lives? An examination of the meaning of the resurrection.

5. Now all the lessons are also available together in e-book and printed book formats.

   The Christian Hope of Resurrection at the Last Day. Christians have always believed in the physical resurrection of our bodies at the last day. But in popular thought, resurrection often is overshadowed by a belief in "heaven." Just what is the Christian hope of resurrection? 
6. When and how will it take place?

• Reprint Guidelines
• References and Abbreviations
• Paintings and Artwork of the Resurrection
• Parallel Accounts of the Resurrection
• Participant Handouts for Classes and Groups
• A Possible Harmonization of the Resurrection Accounts
• Resurrection and Easter Hymns and Songs
• Readers Theater based on John 20:1-18 (NIV)

I invite you to journey with me and thousands of brothers and sisters world-wide through a study of the Resurrection. As of April 7, 2007, we've had more than 1,836 sign-ups from more than 81 countries

This is our 23rd online Bible study since 1996. If you've participated in one before, you know how God can use them in your life. If not, then you have a treat in store for you. I am an ordained American Baptist pastor, currently ministering in a Covenant congregation. I'm here to serve you as your guide to the Bible's teaching on resurrection. --. Dr. Ralph F. Wilson. About the leader.

Here's how we'll study together.

• Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the week. Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my notes to help you understand it better.
• On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and maybe Thursday, you'll receive a question from that week's lesson to think about and answer. This is designed as a "total immersion" approach to Bible study, since I believe God wants to use it to work real and permanent change in your life. (You can opt out of the daily questions if you like, however, and just receive the weekly lessons.) You'll be thinking about these passages constantly for over these weeks -- long enough for God to work his Word into your life and lifestyle.
• You can respond to the questions using the Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read others' answers to reinforce your own understanding.
• With each lesson you'll receive a link to a 20- to 30-minute audio teaching that sums up the passage you've been studying that week. Some who learn better from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
• Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next week's lesson.

Why don't you sign up today -- and then encourage some of your friends to sign up and study along with you.

, including: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Croatia/Hrvatska, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guyana, HongKong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Georgia and Sandwich Isl., Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Ciacos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe. 18% specify text format, 82% HTML format. 29% selected the weekly format, 71% the daily format.

Sign up now! To sign up, start by clicking on your e-mail frequency preference: Weekly lesson only (arrives each Saturday and includes the questions) Weekly lesson, daily questions (same as weekly option, except you receive a question or two each day for 3 or 4 days to keep your mind on the lesson during the week). You'll receive your first lesson the Friday after you sign up. There is no cost to participate in the study, though donations are encouraged so we can create more studies and reach more people. We respect your privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for themselves. Please don't sign up for more than one of my Bible studies at one time. There's no penalty, but each of them is pretty intensive. If you try to do too many studies at the same time without adequate reflection, you'll miss out on God speaking to you.