Easter Sunday

Opening Prayer

Jesus

You died to bring me live

You became nothing

          So I could become whole

May I die to the sin

          that keeps me away from you

So I might live

          in the fullness You promised!

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 10:34a, 37-43

• How has your baptism and the renewal of your baptismal promises brought good news to others?
• Who in your life inspires or helps to ignite your faith?

Colossians 3:1-4

• How do you rise like Christ this Easter season? 
• Are there things you have shed through your Lenten sacrifice of which you are free?

John 20:1-9

• What does this scripture reveal about Jesus?  About his disciples?
• What do you take away from this scripture?  What do you feel?  What do you imagine this looks like?

General Questions for Journaling

• Has the journey of Lent helped to strengthen your faith?  How?
• Did you gain a new perspective on a problem or struggle you have in your life right now through prayer, almsgiving and/or fasting?  Share.
• What have you heard this Lent in the scriptures or through discussion with others which you have shared with another person?
• What has inspired you to bear witness to your faith over the past six weeks? 
• Is there anything you are looking forward to during the Easter season? 
• How can you make the joy of Easter last longer than one day?
• Are there things you can continue to work on (using prayer, almsgiving and fasting as your guide) for the next six weeks? Why do these Lenten practices have to only be practiced during Lent?
• Is there a problem or struggle you are dealing with which you need to step away from? Perhaps find a new perspective or revisit a solution which had been previously rejected?
• Are you carrying around “dead weight” such as hurt feelings or a burden that is not yours to carry? 
• Do you hide Christ in your life? In your conversations? In your home?  What can you do to reveal him?

Closing Prayer

Leader:  What was hidden;

ALL:  has been revealed!

Leader:  What was broken;

ALL:  has been healed!

Leader:  What was lost;

ALL:  has been found!

Leader:  What was sin;

ALL:  has been forgiven!

Leader:  What was buried; 

ALL:  has come to life!

Leader:  What was crucified;

ALL:  has been resurrected!

Challenge for the Week:  Jesus was believed to be dead.  The disciples buried him in a tomb.  After three days his broken body was healed and he was radiant.  Imagine you could go away for three days and get away from any pressures, stress and obligations.  What would you do?  How would you spend your time?  How would you pamper yourself to relieve stress?  What conversations would you have with God about your life?  Take time for a mini retreat, even if it is only for 5 minutes to step away from your life and let the joy of Easter and Jesus’ resurrection spark a renewal within!

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