JESUS IS ________

A BIBLE STUDY FOR THE EASTER SEASON

TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Copyright © 2022 by Traders Point Christian Church

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Created by the Discipleship, Family, and Creative Teams of Traders Point Christian Church

www.tpcc.org

Table of Contents

Introduction: Jesus Is ________

Week 1

Message Notes

Daily Bible Study: Jesus Is...

The Light of the World

Eternal

Holy

Powerful

Life to the Fullest

Live Like Jesus

Week 2

Message Notes

Daily Bible Study: Jesus Is...

The Good Shepherd

Redeemer

Personal

Patient

Always With Us

Live Like Jesus

Week 3

Message Notes

Daily Bible Study: Jesus Is...

The Vine

Friend

Refuge

Healer

Unchanging

Live Like Jesus

Week 4

Message Notes

Daily Bible Study: Jesus Is...

Loving

All-Knowing

Faithful

Merciful

The Resurrection and the Life

Live Like Jesus

Easter with Traders Point

Message Notes

Family Conversation Kit

Jesus Is ________

Think for a minute about the last time you felt a sense of awe. Maybe you stood at the edge of a majestic mountain range or witnessed the birth of a baby or observed a color-drenched sunrise.

It’s easy to suffer from awe deprivation in our information-packed age. In a similar way, the awe of the Easter story often gets lost on us because we’ve grown so familiar with it. You don’t have to be a follower of Jesus to have heard the message of His life, death, and resurrection many times over.

The first chapter of the gospel of John begins with a prologue that sounds strange to our modern-day ears:

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. – John 1:1-5 (emphasis added)

Who is this Word? And how can a Word give life and light? The Word John is describing is none other than Jesus Christ Himself, and He is the communication of God to humanity. God chose to reveal Himself to us in the person of Jesus. Jesus isn’t the younger, hipper Son of God the Father. Jesus is God, wrapped in flesh, and it is through Him that we can know God better.

Each day of this Easter study, you’ll explore an attribute of God or a prophecy from Him in the Old Testament and then move into the New Testament to see Jesus demonstrating that same attribute or fulfilling that prophecy. We encourage you to use your personal Bible or your favorite Bible app to read the verses. Slow down enough to follow the guided questions and prayer prompts, writing out your responses in a personal notebook or by utilizing the Notes or Comments feature in your e-reader device.

At the end of the week, we’ll share ideas for how you can live like Jesus and communicate the hope found in Him to those around you. Family content can also be found in the back of the book. You’ll find conversation starters, along with guidance on how to talk with your kids about each of the attributes of God displayed in the person and work of Jesus.

Jesus is God. What an amazing truth that He lived a sinless life as a human being and rose from the dead. And because of His life, sacrificial death, and resurrection from the grave, we too can have victory over sin and death! This Easter season let’s ask God to reignite awe in us. Because of Jesus, we can joyously proclaim, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

Week 1 | Message Notes

To record notes from Sunday’s message, you can use one of the following:

•Note or Comment feature in your e-reader device

•Personal journal or notebook

•Message note feature in the Traders Point app: Click the Messages icon at the bottom of the app screen, select the current series and date, then click on Message Notes.

Daily Bible Study | Day 1

Jesus Is the Light of the World

Old Testament: Read Isaiah 9:1-3

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. – Isaiah 9:2

Discover

1.What words are used to describe darkness in these verses?

2.Who or what is the light Isaiah refers to?

3.How will the people respond when the light replaces the darkness?

New Testament: Read John 8:12

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” – John 8:12

Discover

1.How does Jesus’ statement in John relate to the prophecy in Isaiah?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Think of a time when you were in darkness. Maybe you feel the weight of darkness surrounding you even today. Jesus says, “If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness” (emphasis added). Have you experienced Jesus as your light in darkness? If you have, rejoice and thank Him as the Isaiah verses describe. If you haven’t, pray that Jesus will reveal Himself as light in the midst of your dark season.

Daily Bible Study | Day 2

Jesus Is Eternal

Old Testament: Read Psalm 90:1-2

…Before you gave birth to the earth and the world,

from beginning to end, you are God. – Psalm 90:2

Discover

1.What words does the psalmist Moses use to describe God?

2.How do you see God as eternal in these verses?

New Testament: Read John 8:53-58

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” – John 8:58

Discover

1.What limitations do the people have in their view of Jesus in these verses?

2.How does Jesus claim to be God in this conversation?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

God has been present from beginning to end. Stop and think about that for a minute. As you spend time reflecting on the presence of God in every season of your life, write a prayer of thanksgiving for what He has done in both the good and the bad. Consider in your prayer how God’s eternality gives you hope. How does it change the way you think about your relationship with Him?

Daily Bible Study | Day 3

Jesus Is Holy

Old Testament: Read Exodus 26:31-35

Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. – Exodus 26:33

Discover

1.What is God instructing the Israelites to build in this passage? (Draw it out if you’re feeling artistic!)

2.What are all the instructions regarding the curtain?

3.Why did God want the Israelites to build a Tabernacle?

New Testament: Read John 1:14, Hebrews 7:25-26, and Hebrews 10:19-20

So the Word became human and made his home [“tabernacled”] among us… – John 1:14

Discover

1.What connections do you see between the Old Testament passage and the New Testament passages?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

In the Old Testament, God gave specific instructions to the Israelites for how to build the Tabernacle so they could have a place to atone for their sins and meet with Him. It was in the Most Holy Place that a high priest would enter once a year to make this atonement on behalf of the Israelites. He even had a rope tied around his ankle in case he died in the presence of a holy God and they needed to drag him out! “It is blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible” (Leviticus 17:11).

Write a prayer of thanksgiving to this holy God. Thank Him for shedding blood in the once-for-all perfect sacrifice of Jesus so you can now have a way to enter His presence. Consider how you can reflect His holiness as He works in and through you.

Daily Bible Study | Day 4

Jesus Is Powerful

Old Testament: Read Exodus 14:21-31

Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. – Exodus 14:21

Discover

1.Write down all the actions God takes on behalf of His people in this passage.

2.How do the Israelites and the Egyptians respond to the miracle they witness (verses 25 and 31)?

3.How do you see God as a powerful God?

New Testament: Read Mark 4:35-41

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. – Mark 4:39

Discover

1.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him human?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Have you ever had a response to Jesus like the disciples have in Mark 4:41? Maybe it was an answered prayer or witnessing Him in nature. Spend some time writing out a prayer acknowledging and thanking Him for those times. If you haven’t experienced this kind of power in your life, ask Jesus to help you not miss it and to respond accordingly when you do! The Holy Spirit lives in every follower of Jesus, and this same power is available through Him.

Daily Bible Study | Day 5

Jesus Is Life to the Fullest

Old Testament: Read Psalm 16:5-6

The land you have given me is a pleasant land.

What a wonderful inheritance! – Psalm 16:6

Discover

1.What words does the psalmist David use to describe God in these verses?

2.How does David respond to God’s blessings?

3.What do you sense about the relationship between David and God?

New Testament: Read John 10:6-10

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. – John 10:10

Discover

2.What similarities do you see between David’s words in Psalm 16 and Jesus’ words in John 10?

3.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

4.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Spend time thanking God for His goodness. As you meditate on David’s relationship with God, examine your own. Confess any preconceived notions that following Jesus equates to a life of drudgery or harsh rule following. Pray that He would help you understand and believe that a life of following Him is truly rich and satisfying.

Week 1 | Live Like Jesus

During the week, we saw Jesus as the light of the world, eternal, holy, powerful, and someone who came to bring us life to the fullest .

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live like Him. Here are some options for how you could live out these attributes. We encourage you to choose one or two to do this weekend.

Reflect Jesus Being the Light of the World

Jesus is the light of the world, which means He is hope in the midst of struggle. Go on a prayer walk around your community. During your walk, pray that Jesus would reveal His light in the midst of any chaos and darkness in the community.

Reflect Jesus Being Eternal

Choose one person to share the gospel with, and explain to them the freedom in knowing a God who is present in the past, the present, and the future.

Reflect Jesus Being Holy

Choose one way you can live counter-culturally this weekend, such as going screen-free for a period of time, fasting from food, etc., to be available for more intentional time with Jesus.

Reflect Jesus Being Powerful

Choose a specific time to pray for God’s power to work in a prayer request that you’ve heard from someone or a situation of someone who’s struggling. Let them know you’re praying.

Reflect Jesus Being Life to the Fullest

Make a list of everything you do in a week. Reflect on how much time you spend on social media, watching television, etc. Compare that to how much time you spend with God. In order to live life to the fullest, we have to spend time with the Fulfiller. Brainstorm ways to spend time with Jesus and block out times in your schedule to do so.

Week 2 | Message Notes

To record notes from Sunday’s message, you can use one of the following:

•Note or Comment feature in your e-reader device

•Personal journal or notebook

•Message note feature in the Traders Point app: Click the Messages icon at the bottom of the app screen, select the current series and date, then click on Message Notes.

Daily Bible Study | Day 6

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

Old Testament: Read Ezekiel 34:11-16

I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again… – Ezekiel 34:15-16

Discover

1.What is God comparing Himself to in these verses?

2.What are all the things He says He will do for His people?

3.How do you sense God feels about His sheep?

New Testament: Read John 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. – John 10:11

Discover

1.What similarities do you see between the Old Testament passage and the New Testament passage?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

As you meditate on all the things that God says He’ll do for His people in the Ezekiel verses, pick one that resonates with you now. Ask Him to open your eyes to see Him this way in your own life. Write a prayer thanking God for His love, care, and promise keeping. Consider how knowing Jesus as a Good Shepherd changes your relationship with Him.

Daily Bible Study | Day 7

Jesus Is Redeemer

Old Testament: Read Exodus 6:6-7

…I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. – Exodus 6:6

Discover

1.What does God say He will do in these verses?

2.How does God bring redemption to Israel?

3.How do you see God as a redeemer (someone who repays, recovers, saves, or exchanges something for something else)?

New Testament: Read Galatians 4:3-7

God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. – Galatians 4:5

Discover

1.What words describe our predicament before Christ and after Christ in these verses?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

The dictionary.com definition for redeemer is “someone who repays, recovers, saves, or exchanges something for something else.” Every one of us has sin that needs to be paid for, and we can’t do anything to pay for it on our own. Thank God that Jesus went to the cross to do just that. God redeems us through Jesus when we acknowledge our sin, turn from it, and turn to Him instead. Write a prayer thanking God for His love and redemption through Jesus. Then write a prayer of repentance. Tell God about your sins and ask for His forgiveness. Consider how your relationship with God is different knowing Him as your Redeemer.

Daily Bible Study | Day 8

Jesus Is Personal

Old Testament: Read Exodus 33:7-11

Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. – Exodus 33:11

Discover

1. What was the purpose of the Tent of Meeting (verse 7)?

2. What kind of actions did Moses take, and what kind of fellowship did he enjoy with God as a result of those actions?

3. How do you see God as a personal God in this passage?

New Testament: Read John 4:1-10

“If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” – John 4:10

Discover

1. What do you see about Jesus that makes Him human?

2. What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3. What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

In the Exodus passage, God spoke to Moses as speaking to a friend. In John 4, Jesus went to great lengths to speak to the Samaritan woman as a friend. Each of them experienced God in a personal way. Have you experienced God as personal? Has He ever answered a specific prayer, spoken to you through His Word, or revealed Himself through nature or the words of a friend? Take some time now to thank God for being a personal God who wants to walk through life with you.

Daily Bible Study | Day 9

Jesus Is Patient

Old Testament: Read Nehemiah 9:16-21, 30-31

In your love, you were patient with them for many years. You sent your Spirit, who warned them through the prophets… – Nehemiah 9:30

Discover

1.What historical moment are God’s people recounting in their prayer, roughly 900 years after it occurred?

2.What attributes of God do they mention?

3.How do you see God as patient in these verses?

New Testament: Read Mark 9:33-37 and 2 Peter 3:15

Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else. – Mark 9:35

Discover

1.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

2.What happens as a result of God’s patience with us?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Spend a few minutes considering how Jesus has been patient with you over the course of your life, just as the Israelites did in the Old Testament passage above. Take some time to write it out as they did. Jesus modeled this same patience with His disciples hundreds of years later. Thank Him for being a patient God. Remember His patience today and consider how you can model that same patience in your own life.

Daily Bible Study | Day 10

Jesus Is Always With Us

Old Testament: Read Psalm 139:1-12

I can never escape from your Spirit!

I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there;

if I go down to the grave, you are there. – Psalm 139:7-8

Discover

1.What does God know and see? Where is He?

2.How do you see God as always with us in these verses?

New Testament: Read Matthew 28:16-20

…I am with you always, even to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:20

Discover

1.What event has just taken place before Jesus appears to His disciples (see Matthew 28:1-10)?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Omnipresent is the technical term used to describe God as present everywhere, or always with us, and the term is unique to Him. Write a prayer praising Him for this attribute. Consider how knowing that Jesus is always with you changes your relationship with Him.

Week 2 | Live Like Jesus

During this week, we learned that Jesus is the good shepherd, redeemer, personal, patient, and always with us.

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live like Him. Here are some options for how you could live out these attributes. We encourage you to choose one or two to do this weekend.

Reflect Jesus Being the Good Shepherd

Think about the people you care about. Is there someone in your life who is struggling to see how God is a caring God? Ask them to coffee and process with them the struggle that is happening, offer wisdom, and pray with them. Reflect Jesus as a good shepherd.

Reflect Jesus Being Redeemer

Consider your repentance and the sin that God has forgiven in your life. Do you need an accountability partner? Confess your sin to someone close to you and ask them to hold you accountable.

Reflect Jesus Being Personal

Carve out an hour or two this weekend to spend personal one-on-one time with Jesus in prayer, worship, silence, and reading Scripture.

Reflect Jesus Being Patient

Choose to do something this weekend that is intentionally slow. Don’t get fast food, drive the speed limit, or put away the task list and make room to have a conversation with someone.

Reflect Jesus Being Always With Us

Find ways to remind yourself of God’s presence throughout your day. Write sticky notes and put them in places you’ll see regularly or set reminders on your phone. Choose a tangible way that works best for you.

Week 3 | Message Notes

To record notes from Sunday’s message, you can use one of the following:

•Note or Comment feature in your e-reader device

•Personal journal or notebook

•Message note feature in the Traders Point app: Click the Messages icon at the bottom of the app screen, select the current series and date, then click on Message Notes.

Daily Bible Study | Day 11

Jesus Is the Vine

Old Testament: Read Psalm 80:8, 14-15

…Take care of this grapevine that you yourself have planted,

this son you have raised for yourself. – Psalm 80:14-15

Discover

1. Who is the grapevine in these verses?

2. What other word is used to describe the grapevine?

3. What are they asking God to do for them?

New Testament: Read John 15:1-4

“I am the true grapevine…” – John 15:1

Discover

3.How is Jesus the better grapevine or Son?

4.How are we, His branches, to respond?

5.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Israel is described as the vine in the Old Testament—a vine meant to bear fruit and show God to a world that didn’t know Him. But where Israel failed to live a life of obedience and bear fruit, Jesus lived it out perfectly. Take some time to thank Jesus for being the true vine and the true Son. Ask Him to help you know what it looks like to remain in Him so that Jesus can bear fruit through you, His branch.

Daily Bible Study | Day 12

Jesus Is Friend

Old Testament: Read Isaiah 41:8-9

But as for you, Israel my servant,

Jacob my chosen one,

descended from Abraham my friend,

I have called you back from the ends of the earth… – Isaiah 41:8-9

Discover

1.What words does God use to describe Jacob (also called Israel) and Abraham?

2.How do you see God as a friend in these verses?

New Testament: Read John 15:12-17

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13

Discover

1.What similarities do you see between these two passages?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Write out a list of topics you would talk about with your best friend. Spend some time talking with Jesus about these same things. Our trinitarian God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is a relational God in His very nature, and He calls us friend. Consider how seeing Jesus as your friend changes your relationship with Him.

Daily Bible Study | Day 13

Jesus Is Refuge

Old Testament: Read Psalm 27:1-6

The Lord is my light and my salvation—

so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,

so why should I tremble? – Psalm 27:1

Discover

1.What is the scene described in verses 2-3?

2.Where does the psalmist David move in verses 4-6? What are all the words he uses to describe that place?

3.How do you see God as a refuge in these verses?

New Testament: Read Matthew 11:28-30

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Discover

1.What words does Jesus use to describe Himself in these verses?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Feeling like you’re on a battlefield in life can make it hard to know what to say in prayer. The Psalms are a great place to turn! If you’re struggling with something, allow the psalmists’ words to be your words as you write a prayer to Jesus about how you’re feeling. Ask Him to make His presence known and to give you rest. Consider how knowing Jesus as your refuge changes your relationship with Him and how you can live from that place.

Daily Bible Study | Day 14

Jesus Is Healer

Old Testament: Read 2 Kings 20:1-7

This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord. – 2 Kings 20:5

Discover

1.How does King Hezekiah respond to the news that God delivers to him through Isaiah (verses 2-3)?

2.What are all the things God says He will do in verses 5-6?

3.How do you see God as healer in these verses?

New Testament: Read John 9:1-11

“The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” – John 9:11

Discover

1.What similarities do you see in these two passages?

2.What lessons does Jesus teach His disciples through the healing of the blind man?

3. What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

Respond in Prayer

Jesus has the power to heal both spiritually and physically. Spend some time now writing out prayers for spiritual and physical healing for the world, the nation, the community you live in, your family, and within yourself. Consider how you can rely on Jesus as healer in your own life and how that might change your relationship with Him.

Daily Bible Study | Day 15

Jesus Is Unchanging

Old Testament: Read Psalm 102:25-27

Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever… – Psalm 102:25-26

Discover

1.How is the Creator God contrasted with His creation in these verses?

2.Read Hebrews 1 to see God speaking these exact verses about Jesus. What stands out to you?

3.How do you see God as unchanging in these verses?

New Testament: Read Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. – Hebrews 13:8

Discover

1.What do you see about Jesus in this verse that is unlike us?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.How does the knowledge that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever give you assurance?

Respond in Prayer

Think about the unchanging nature of Jesus for a few minutes and what it means for your own relationship with Him. Write a prayer acknowledging and thanking Him for the ways He is constant in the midst of chaos.

Week 3 | Live Like Jesus

During this week, we learned that Jesus is the vine, friend, refuge, healer, and unchanging.

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live like Him. Here are some options for how you could live out these attributes. We encourage you to choose one or two to do this weekend.

Reflect Jesus Being the Vine

While God plants and tends to the vine, believers are the branches. Make a list of the people in your life who aren’t followers of Jesus yet. Pray over each of their names, and ask God to till the soil of their hearts, drawing them to Himself. Pray that they would be branches grafted into the vine that is Jesus.

Reflect Jesus Being Friend

Set up a phone call or coffee with someone who may be lonely. Ask them intentional questions about how their heart is, and ask how you might be able to support them, love them, and pray for them.

Reflect Jesus Being Refuge

Foster care faces a nationwide crisis, and Indiana ranks fifth for the number of kids in the system at 16,000. The numbers are staggering. Visit tpcc.org/fam to find a way you can help.

Reflect Jesus Being Healer

Call or visit someone in the hospital or nursing home who is struggling with disease or sickness. Spend some time praying for them to experience healing both physically and spiritually.

Reflect Jesus Being Unchanging

Set a time to meet with a friend who doesn’t know Jesus, and tell them your story. Talk to them about a time of turmoil in your life and how you experienced Jesus as unchanging in the midst of it. Ask them about any turmoil they might be facing and if you can pray for them.

Week 4 | Message Notes

To record notes from Sunday’s message, you can use one of the following:

•Note or Comment feature in your e-reader device

•Personal journal or notebook

•Message note feature in the Traders Point app: Click the Messages icon at the bottom of the app screen, select the current series and date, then click on Message Notes.

Daily Bible Study | Day 16

Jesus Is Loving

Old Testament: Read Hosea 11:1-4

When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and I called my son out of Egypt. – Hosea 11:1

Discover

1.What actions does God take according to these verses?

2.List some of the things a parent does for a child that the child isn’t even aware of.

3.How do you see God as loving in these verses?

New Testament: Read John 13:1-17

Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father.

He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. – John 13:1

Discover

1.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him human?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

The image of God teaching, leading, and stooping in the Hosea passage is clearly reflected in the life of Jesus as He does the same things for His disciples. Write a prayer to Jesus thanking Him for this great love that He has for you too. Ask for His help to respond in love and not as Israel did in the Hosea passage.

Daily Bible Study | Day 17

Jesus Is All-Knowing

Old Testament: Read Genesis 41:25-39

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are.” – Genesis 41:39

Discover

1.To whom does Joseph give credit for Pharoah’s dreams?

2.How does Pharaoh recognize God’s hand on Joseph in turn?

3.How do you see God as all-knowing in these verses?

New Testament: Read John 13:36-38 and Luke 22:54-62

Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” – Luke 22:61

Discover

1.What did Jesus know before it happened?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

God knew what would happen in Egypt in the days of Joseph, and hundreds of years later, Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him three times before it ever happened. Spend a few minutes now writing a prayer to Jesus, thanking Him for the reality that He is all-knowing even if you’re in a season of unknown. Use this time to surrender your unknown to an all-knowing God. He is in control, and He knows the outcome.

Daily Bible Study | Day 18

Jesus Is Faithful

Old Testament: Read Genesis 17:15-16; 21:1-7

The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. – Genesis 21:1-2

Discover

1.What promise did God make to Abraham in Genesis 17:16?

2.What words are used to describe the fulfillment of that promise in chapter 21?

3.How do you see God as faithful in these verses?

New Testament (and Old Testament Prophecy Fulfilled): Read Mark 14:32-42, Mark 15:1-20, and Isaiah 53:10-11

“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” – Mark 14:36

Discover

1.How do you see Jesus faithfully living out the promise from Isaiah 53 in Mark chapters 14-15?

2.What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, tells the story of a God who is faithful to His people and never breaks a promise. Write out a prayer thanking Him that He had a plan from the beginning to save you from your sin and He was faithful to see the plan through. Consider how knowing Jesus as faithful to His people and His promises changes your relationship with Him.

Daily Bible Study | Day 19

Jesus Is Merciful

Old Testament: Read Psalm 51:1-10

Have mercy on me, O God,

because of your unfailing love.

Because of your great compassion,

blot out the stain of my sins. – Psalm 51:1

Discover

1.What does the psalmist David know to be true of God that causes him to appeal to Him?

2.What words does he use to describe God?

3.How do you see God as merciful in these verses?

New Testament: Read Luke 23:32-46

“We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong… Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:41-43

Discover

1.What similarities do you see between the words of David in Psalm 51 and the words of the second criminal on the cross?

2.What stands out to you about the mercy Jesus extended in His darkest hour?

3.What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

You and I are represented in David in the Old Testament, as well as the criminals and the crowds who mocked Jesus and put Him on the cross. Sit and reflect for a minute on the punishment He endured on your behalf. Soak in the mercy that He extended and still extends today. Praise Him for His gift of mercy, and ask Him to extend that same mercy through you to others as you engage with the people in your life.

Daily Bible Study | Day 20

Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life

Old Testament: Read Psalm 16:9-11

You will show me the way of life,

granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. – Psalm 16:11

Discover

1. Why is the psalmist David rejoicing?

2. Where do you see the foreshadow of Jesus and the resurrection in this passage?

3. Why does David not fear death?

New Testament: Read John 11:17-25 and Luke 24:1-7

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” – John 11:25

Discover

1. How many days were Lazarus and Jesus in their respective tombs? According to these passages, what did their friends and family do during those days?

2. What do you see about Jesus that makes Him God?

3. What does this mean for you today?

Respond in Prayer

Jesus didn’t just claim to have special knowledge or understanding about resurrection. Jesus said He is the resurrection and the life. It is only through a relationship with Him that anyone receives eternal life. If you haven’t personally trusted in Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins, you can do that now. Admit to Him your sin, believe what He claimed about Himself, and commit to following Him with your life.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, tell someone! Share it with a group member or a staff member at church. Thank Jesus for being everything He claimed to be. If you’ve previously trusted Him as your Savior, pray that He would fill you with fresh awe of His resurrection power, and praise Him for the new life He’s given you.

Week 4 | Live Like Jesus

During this week, we learned that Jesus is loving, all-knowing, faithful, merciful, and the resurrection and the life.

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to live like Him. Here are some options for how you could live out these attributes. We encourage you to choose one or two to do this weekend.

Reflect Jesus Being Loving

Be intentional to communicate love to those around you. For ideas to communicate in a way they receive love best, visit 5lovelanguages.com/quizzes to take the Love Language quiz. As you learn the languages of yourself and others, choose one way you can intentionally love someone close to you and one way you can intentionally love Jesus.

Reflect Jesus Being All-Knowing

Invite someone over to dinner who is in a season of unknown. Encourage them with the comfort of an all-knowing Jesus. Listen to them as they need to process their fears and concerns, and pray for them.

Reflect Jesus Being Faithful

Who in your life has Jesus called you to be faithful to, but you’ve not been as faithful as you should be? Maybe work has taken priority over them or a hobby or even another person. Confess anything that you need to confess and then reprioritize your time commitments accordingly.

Reflect Jesus Being Merciful

Who in your life are you having a hard time forgiving? Spend some time praying for them and for your own heart toward them. Ask for God’s help to forgive. Write the person a letter acknowledging that you’ve forgiven them and ask for their forgiveness in return.

Reflect Jesus Being the Resurrection and the Life

If Jesus is truly your resurrection and life, your life should be transformed! Choose one person to share the gospel with this week. Explain how Jesus has transformed your own life, and share that you aren’t perfect but that you’re loved and forgiven.

Easter with Traders Point | Message Notes

To record notes from the message, you can use one of the following:

•Note or Comment feature in your e-reader device

•Personal journal or notebook

•Message note feature in the Traders Point app: Click the Messages icon at the bottom of the app screen, select the current series and date, then click on Message Notes.

Family Conversation Kit

Jesus Is the Light of the World

•Conversation Starter: Share about a time when you had to find your way somewhere in the dark.

•Parents: Talk with your kids about a time when you had to navigate in the dark. How easy or hard was it? What things made it hard? What things made it easier?

In the same way that a flashlight or headlights make it easier to navigate in the dark, Jesus is our light that helps us navigate the darkness in our lives. Without Him, it’s easy to become lost, disoriented, or frightened. But Jesus promises us that if we follow Him, He will be our light and we won’t have to walk in darkness!

Jesus Is Eternal

•Conversation Starter: What is the oldest thing you can think of?

•Parents: Ask your kids to name the oldest thing they can think of. Here are a few examples: A goldfish named Tish lived for 43 years after being won at a fairground in 1956. A lobster named George was estimated to be about 140 years old. And Methuselah, a Great Basin bristlecone pine tree in California, is estimated to be 4,853 years old.

God is even older than anything in creation! In fact, He was there before time began and He’ll be there forever. That means He’ll be with us in good times and hard times. Take time to pray with your kids, and acknowledge His eternal nature and how we’ll be with Him forever in eternity.

Jesus Is Holy

•Conversation Starter: What is something in your house that’s set apart to use during special times?

•Parents: Ask your kids to think of something in your house that’s set apart to use during special times. Maybe it’s something nice you use when guests are over, or a special item you use when it’s someone’s birthday or a holiday, or something you only use during a specific season. (Bonus points if you make it a scavenger hunt and they bring the item to you.)

At its most basic definition, to be holy means to be pure and set apart. Because Jesus is completely good and pure, He is holy, which means He is set apart. Through Jesus, we can be holy and set apart too! Before we ever did anything good, Jesus made us holy. When we love Him and live like Him, we live holy lives – we become set apart and pure.

Jesus Is Powerful

•Conversation Starter: What is the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?

•Parents: Ask your kids, “What is the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen?” The same God who parted the Red Sea and walked on water is the God who hears us when we pray to Him. Have your kids share about a time when they wanted to pray for something big but were afraid it was too big for God. Ask them, “What’s the biggest thing you could think to pray for? Let’s pray about that together, because we have a powerful God who hears us and cares for us!”

Jesus Is Life to the Fullest

•Conversation Starter: What’s the biggest adventure you’ve ever gone on?

•Parents: After talking to your kids about their biggest adventure, share your biggest adventure with them.

When it comes to following Jesus, life is not about following boring rules. Jesus wants us to live a life of adventure! He will sometimes ask us to do things that might excite us, challenge us, or take us outside our comfort zone. The adventure is different for everyone, and Jesus equips each of us in different ways to take on our own unique adventure. Ask your kids, “What’s something you feel like Jesus wants you to do that’s exciting, challenging, or outside your comfort zone?”

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

•Conversation Starter: Share about a time when you felt lost.

•Parents: Talk to your kids about a time when you or they felt lost. How did that make them feel? How did they feel when they were found again?

If sheep get separated from the herd, it can be easy for them to get lost. But a good shepherd will track down the lost sheep and bring them back home. That’s why Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He doesn’t want any of His “sheep” (us) to be lost. Jesus will always search for us, and He will always find us!

Jesus Is Redeemer

•Conversation Starter: What is your favorite gift that you’ve ever received?

•Parents: Ask your kids to share about their favorite gift that they’ve ever received. (Bonus points if they bring it or show it to you.) To give them that gift, someone had to redeem it by trading money or time in exchange for receiving the gift to give to them. A redeemer is “someone who repays, recovers, saves, or exchanges something for something else.”

Because all of us have sinned and done bad things, we deserve to be punished and separated from God. But when Jesus went to the cross, He paid the price we should have paid and restored our relationship to God. Jesus is the ultimate Redeemer! Take time today to pray with your kids, and thank Jesus for redeeming us and restoring our relationship with God.

Jesus Is Personal

•Conversation Starter: Where is your favorite place to meet with a friend?

•Parents: Find time this week to make a fort or tent with your kids. Then crawl inside and talk about your favorite place to meet with friends. Read Exodus 33:7-11 together, and explain to your kids that before Jesus came, God’s people had to go to a specific place to meet Him, like the Tent of Meeting in Exodus, or later the Temple in Jerusalem. But now, because the Holy Spirit lives inside us, God can now meet with us anywhere and everywhere. When we love and trust Jesus, we become the Tent of Meeting, because God is always with us.

Jesus Is Patient

•Conversation Starter: What is your favorite activity that takes a lot of patience?

•Parents: Ask your kids, “What is your favorite activity that takes a lot of patience?” Maybe it’s fishing or painting or maybe Minecraft. (Bonus points if you choose a favorite activity to do with them this week.) Ask them to share about the last time they got frustrated at something or someone. Consider starting with an example from your own life, like being frustrated at traffic or the line at the grocery store.

Explain that while we often get frustrated or angry at things or people, Jesus is always patient with us, even when we make mistakes. Jesus has every right to be frustrated or impatient with us often, but instead He chooses to be patient and forgive us. Ask your kids how that makes them feel knowing that Jesus is patient with them.

Jesus Is Always With Us

•Conversation Starter: What is the farthest place you could think to travel from here?

•Parents: Ask your kids, “What is the farthest place you could think to travel from here?” Across the city? The country? The South Pole? The moon? The stars?

Read Psalm 139:1-12 to them. Explain that there’s no place we can go that God won’t be there with us. Even on the days when we feel scared or anxious and it feels like we’re on our own, the truth is that God is always right there. Help your kids brainstorm places or times when they feel scared or anxious, like in a new classroom or meeting new people. Encourage them that God is always there with them.

Jesus Is the Vine

•Conversation Starter: What is your favorite plant or tree?

•Parents: Talk to your kids about how fruit or vegetables grow, primarily by remaining connected to the root or the branch. If a fruit or vegetable gets disconnected from the root or the branch, it won’t grow. In the same way, we’re called to stay connected to Jesus so that we can grow, and He can produce “spiritual fruit” in our lives in the ways we treat others!

Jesus Is Friend

•Conversation Starter: What kinds of things make up a good friend?

•Parents: Ask your kids to share what kinds of things make up a good friend. Maybe it’s being a good listener, or being kind, or being someone that your kids can talk to about things that they can’t tell others.

Have your kids make a list of things they would talk to their best friend about. Jesus calls us His friend and wants us to talk to Him like we would talk to a friend. Encourage your kids to pray to Jesus and talk to Him like a friend!

Jesus Is Refuge

•Conversation Starter: Where is the spot you feel the most secure?

•Parents: Ask your kids to show you the spot where they feel the most secure. (Bonus points if you have this conversation with them in that spot.) Maybe it’s their bed, a favorite corner, or a spot on the couch. Then, ask your kids about the last time they felt overwhelmed and needed to come to this spot.

Take time to explain that Jesus wants to be our refuge, like a safe fortress that we can run to when things feel out of control. He wants to comfort us and give us His peace, even when things around us might feel overwhelming. Pray together and thank Jesus that He’s our refuge and our fortress when we need to run to Him.

Jesus Is Healer

•Conversation Starter: Share about a time when you were injured and needed to heal.

•Parents: Ask your kids to share about a time when they were injured and needed to heal, and share an experience of your own. One of the names for God is “the Great Physician” because God has the desire and ability to heal us – not just physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. Ask your kids to think of a person they know who needs healing, whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual, and then commit to pray with them for God’s healing.

Jesus Is Unchanging

•Conversation Starter: Who is someone that you know well? What would happen if each time you saw that person, they looked and acted completely different?

•Parents: Ask your kids to think of someone in their life that they know well, like a family member or best friend. What would happen if each time they saw that person, they were completely different? What if they had different likes (today they like the same foods, tomorrow they don’t), different personalities (today they’re a good listener, tomorrow they’re not), different moods (today they’re happy, tomorrow they’re angry or impatient)? Would that be easy or hard to adjust to?

When someone is constant, it means you know what to expect when you’re around them. Jesus is constant and unchanging, meaning we never have to guess if He still loves us or if He still forgives us, because the answer is always yes. Have your kids give an example of something they like most about Jesus – maybe that He’s a safe place to run to, or that He loves us, or that He’s patient with us. Encourage them that He will never change, and take time to pray together and thank Him for His unchanging nature.

Jesus Is Loving

•Conversation Starter: What do you do to show love for someone?

•Parents: Ask your kids what they do to show love for someone. Maybe it’s giving them a gift or doing something nice for them.

God loves us even though we haven’t done anything to earn His love – so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins to make a way for us to be with Him. And Jesus was willing to do it because that’s how much HE loves us. We don’t have to earn God’s love; we just have to accept it. Take time to pray with your kids and thank God for His great love for us. Then brainstorm ways that your family can show love to others this week.

Jesus Is All-Knowing

•Conversation Starter: When was the last time you were surprised?

•Parents: Ask your kids to share about the last time they were surprised. Talk with them about the fact that Jesus has never been surprised. Even when bad things happen in our lives that we don’t expect, He already knows about them. And even though we don’t know how things will turn out sometimes, Jesus does. In fact, He already knows how things will go tomorrow, next week, and next year. He’s already there, waiting to walk with us through whatever’s next. Because Jesus always knows what’s next, we can trust Him to lead us.

Jesus Is Faithful

•Conversation Starter: Share about a time when someone made a promise to you and kept it.

•Parents: Have your kids think of a time when someone made a promise and kept it. It could be as small as going to get ice cream or as big as a trip to their favorite theme park. How would it have felt if that promise hadn’t been kept?

Sometimes people might fall short of keeping their promises, but Jesus ALWAYS keeps His promises. Sometimes in the Bible, His promises take a long time to come to pass, but He never forgets them. So when He makes promises like, “I will never leave you,” or, “My unfailing love for you will never be shaken,” He means it! Take time to thank Jesus today that He keeps His promises.

Jesus Is Merciful

•Conversation Starter: When was a time you deserved to be punished but didn’t receive it?

•Parents: Have your kids think of a time when they deserved to be punished but didn’t receive it. Consider an example from your own life to share.

Because of the bad things we’ve done in our lives, we deserve the punishment of being cut off from being friends with God. But because Jesus took that punishment on the cross instead of us, it means we receive God’s mercy and avoid being punished for what we deserve. Take time to pray with your kids and thank God for having mercy toward us. Ask your kids, “What are ways we can show mercy toward others this week? How does that make us like God when we show mercy?”

Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life

•Conversation Starter: What do you think heaven will be like?

•Parents: Ask your kids what they think heaven will be like. Jesus tells us that the only way into heaven is by trusting in Him. Even though none of us is good enough to deserve to get in, Jesus paid the price for our sins and is waiting for us there. All we have to do is confess that we’re not good enough to make it on our own, and we trust that Jesus makes us good because of what He did on the cross.

If your kids have not placed their faith in Jesus, invite them to do so now! If they express interest in being baptized, you can find more information about having that conversation with them at tpcc.org/kids-baptism.