Burial, Empty Tomb, and Witnesses - Teacher (Standard) (print)

Teens (ages 13-17) · Matthew 27:57-28:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 · Standard ·35 minutes

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Objective: Analyse the relevant text and explain the case that the resurrection claim includes burial, an empty tomb tradition, appearances, and transformed proclamation.

Read: Matthew 27:57-28:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Opening: Ask: What does this passage actually say before we explain what it means?

Say:

Matthew names Joseph of Arimathea, the tomb, women witnesses, and the discovery of the empty tomb followed by an appearance of Jesus.
Paul summarizes an early proclamation involving Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and appearances to multiple witnesses.
Taken together, these passages support the lesson’s big idea: The resurrection claim includes burial, an empty tomb tradition, appearances, and transformed proclamation.

Ask:

What does the text directly say?
What conclusion requires synthesis or inference?
What should we avoid overstating?
What is one faithful response?

Do: Complete Burial, Empty Tomb, and Witnesses Claim Audit.

Close: Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.

Materials: Bible; Burial, Empty Tomb, and Witnesses Claim Audit

Standard outline · 35 minutes

4 minConnect. Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.
4 minContext. Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.
9 minRead and observe. Read selected portions of Matthew 27:57-28:10 and identify direct observations. Ask: What does the passage directly say, what conclusion follows, and what should we avoid overstating?
7 minDiscuss. Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits. Ask: What does the passage directly say, what conclusion follows, and what should we avoid overstating? What does the passage directly say, what conclusion follows, and what should we avoid overstating?
7 minActivity. Complete the primary evidence-based activity. Activity: Burial, Empty Tomb, and Witnesses Claim Audit. Printable: T2-L02-P01-adam-christ-argument-map.
4 minRespond. Name one faithful response and pray. Ask: What does the passage directly say, what conclusion follows, and what should we avoid overstating?

Activity details

Burial, Empty Tomb, and Witnesses Claim Audit · 10 min

Materials: Adam / Christ Argument Map; Bible; Pens or pencils

Read Matthew 27:57-28:10 and record two direct observations.
Connect the observations to this big idea: The resurrection claim includes burial, an empty tomb tradition, appearances, and transformed proclamation.
Name one faithful response without claiming more than the passage supports.

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

Closing

Memory verse: Genesis 3:1-24

Prayer: Thank God for what this passage reveals and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: The resurrection claim includes burial, an empty tomb tradition, appearances, and transformed proclamation.