Easter: The Risen Voice from the Cross – John 20:11-16
After Jesus died and rose again His first followers, who believed He rose again and went to their grave believing Jesus rose again, were in a fog after he died, and they were in a fog after He rose again, so much so that when they first saw the Risen Jesus DID NOT recognize Jesus was standing right in front of them. But the risen voice of Jesus brought life-changing clarity of hope and faith for His followers that changed their lives forever and Jesus can do that for us as well.
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DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- How did you celebrate Easter this weekend?
- What is an Easter memory you have from your childhood?
- Where in life right now does it feel foggy, cloudy or dark?
- READ: John 20:11-18.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
OBSERVATIONS: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage? How would you summarize this passage in one sentence? Why do you think Mary Magdalene didn’t recognize Jesus when she first saw the risen Jesus? What does this passage tell me about who God is? What is your “God shot”?
- READ: John 10:27. What stands out about this statement of Jesus?
- What do you think it means to “listen to His voice” in your life?
- Doug said that “the voice of Jesus brings clarity and connection.” How have you experienced that in your life?
- Doug gave us these 3 specific things to live this out from the message:
- SOMETHING TO BELIEVE: Jesus has something to say to you. Where do you find yourself forgetting that, doubting that or missing that in your life?
- A QUESTION TO ASK: How might Jesus be speaking to you right now, but you might not realize it?
- SOMETHING TO DO: Quiet the noise. Lean in and listen to Jesus. Open your heart and open God’s Word, as you listen and respond to Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
- What are your best practices of doing that in your life?
- How will you seek to lean in and listen to the risen voice of Jesus this week?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
APPLICATION:
What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we’ve learned. What’s your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
PRAYER: Encourage your group to pray this prayer often in 2026 & use to close your group time.
A 2026 Prayer for MORE: Ephesians 3:14-21 “Heavenly Father, Help me to engage with you MORE. Work in me to make me MORE like you. Use me to help MORE people know you. Make my story about your glory! Amen.”
Scripture References:
John 20:11-16; John 20:24-29; John 21:1-14; Luke 24:13-45; John 10:27; John 14:25-27; John 16:12-15; Ephesians 1:18