Celebrate! (Easter B Old Testament)

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Easter B Old Testament.

Text:  Isaiah 25:6-9 for Easter, Lectionary Series B

OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

1. Recognize the many reasons we have to celebrate on Easter.
2. Compare an Old Testament celebration to a modern celebration.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Bibles
Pencils
Newsprint or chalkboard
Paper
Markers

GROUP GUIDELINES

Participants should be in groups of 6-10 people. A leader should be established in the group: one who will encourage participation and keep discussion moving. The leader is the person who has most recently been to a party. Group members should be reminded that they have the freedom to pass if they do not wish to share.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Take time to get to know one another. Be sure that everyone knows each person’s name. Share with the group a memory from a birthday celebration that you have attended.

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

1. A great thing has happened: Christ is risen! Alleluia! Why is this such good news?
2. Some background for the Bible passage: In this part of the book of Isaiah (chapters 24-27) the focus is the blessings and judgment on the Day of the Lord—this is the final victory of God over the force of evil. Read Isaiah 25:6-9. Why are these verses appropriate for Easter Sunday?
3. One reason that this celebration is so great is the victory is so significant. What was destroyed? What is the result of this destruction?
4. These people sure know how to celebrate! What would their grocery list look like for this event? Together make a list of the things needed for this celebration. If we were to have a celebration for Christ’s resurrection, what would our present-day grocery list look like?
5. Get into small groups of 2 or 3. Give each group a piece of paper and markers. Each group should design an invitation or poster to encourage others to attend a “Day of the Lord” celebration. Be sure to include the reason for the celebration (see Isaiah 25:9). Share the posters or invitations with one another.

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

Although Easter is only one day a year on the calendar, church worship services are held on Sunday because that is the day that Christ rose. Every Sunday our worship should be a celebration of that resurrection (although we don’t have a feast every Sunday as the passage describes). What is one way that the joy of the Resurrection could continue the whole year through? Share your ideas with the group.

CLOSING

Close with a group reading of Isaiah 6:9. Enthusiastically proclaim to one another these joyful words.

by Gretchen Gorline

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies 12, 1999.

Updated for youthESource in April 2015