Welly Church Kids Lessons

Teens · 13-17 · Lesson 20

The Resurrection as Historical and Theological Claim

1 Corinthians 15:1-28

The resurrection is both a claim about an event and the beginning of God's promised defeat of death.

Teach the lesson

Goal: Analyse 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 and explain the case that the resurrection is both a claim about an event and the beginning of God's promised defeat of death.

Pick how long you want to teach. The plan updates to fit.

Short · 25 minutes
  1. 3 min
    Connect

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  2. 8 min
    Read

    Read and observe the principal passage.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say or narrate?

  3. 5 min
    Understand

    Work from the text and keep observation distinct from interpretation.

    Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage? · What should we avoid claiming from this passage?

  4. 6 min
    Do

    Complete Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit.

    Activity: Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit

    Printable: T1-L20-P01-resurrection-claim-audit

  5. 3 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What is one faithful response that follows from this lesson?

Standard · 35 minutes

  1. 4 min
    Connect

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  2. 4 min
    Context

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  3. 9 min
    Read and observe

    Read and observe the principal passage.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say or narrate?

  4. 7 min
    Discuss

    Work from the text and keep observation distinct from interpretation.

    Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage? · What should we avoid claiming from this passage?

  5. 7 min
    Activity

    Complete Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit.

    Activity: Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit

    Printable: T1-L20-P01-resurrection-claim-audit

  6. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What is one faithful response that follows from this lesson?

Extended · 45 minutes
  1. 4 min
    Connect

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  2. 6 min
    Context

    Connect the lesson to the biblical storyline.

  3. 10 min
    Read closely

    Read and observe the principal passage.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say or narrate?

  4. 8 min
    Interpret

    Work from the text and keep observation distinct from interpretation.

    Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage? · What should we avoid claiming from this passage?

  5. 8 min
    Activity

    Complete Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit.

    Activity: Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit

    Printable: T1-L20-P01-resurrection-claim-audit

  6. 5 min
    Extension

    Work from the text and keep observation distinct from interpretation.

    Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage? · What should we avoid claiming from this passage?

  7. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What is one faithful response that follows from this lesson?

Close the class

Memory verse: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Prayer: Thank God for the truth in this passage and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: The resurrection is both a claim about an event and the beginning of God's promised defeat of death.

More help: full script, questions, and printables

A word-for-word way to run the lesson, plus every question, activity, and printable.

Teach now

Analyse 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 and explain the case that the resurrection is both a claim about an event and the beginning of God's promised defeat of death.

Read
1 Corinthians 15:1-28
Opening
Ask: What do you notice first in this passage before we explain what it means?
Say
  • Paul summarizes a received proclamation that Christ died, was buried, was raised, and appeared to witnesses.
  • Paul treats Christ’s resurrection as essential to Christian proclamation and faith.
  • Paul calls Christ the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  • The resurrection is both a claim about an event and the beginning of God's promised defeat of death.
Ask
  • What happens or is said in the passage?
  • What does this show about Jesus, God, people, or the biblical story?
  • Which statement is directly in the text?
  • What is one careful response for us?
Do
Complete the Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit activity.
Close
Pray using one truth from the passage and one faithful response.
Materials
  • Bible
  • Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit

Discussion questions

  • What does the passage directly say or narrate?
    Simple answer: Name one thing you can point to in the passage.
    Going deeper: Which details are most important to the author’s argument or narrative?
  • How does the big idea arise from the passage?
    Simple answer: Which verse best supports the big idea?
    Going deeper: What interpretive steps connect the text to the conclusion?
  • What should we avoid claiming from this passage?
    Simple answer: Name one detail the passage does not say.
    Going deeper: Where would broader canonical or historical evidence be required?
  • What is one faithful response that follows from this lesson?
    Simple answer: Choose one concrete response.
    Going deeper: Explain why the response fits the passage rather than merely sounding religious.

Activities

Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit · 8 min

Materials: Resurrection Historical/Theological Claim Audit; Pens or pencils

  1. Work through the resource using the passage.
  2. Mark observations separately from conclusions.
  3. Discuss one careful application.

Low-resource option: Use blank paper and create the same categories by hand.

Observation or Conclusion? · 8 min

Materials: Bible

  1. Read five statements aloud.
  2. Students identify whether each is directly in the passage or a conclusion.
  3. Ask what evidence would be needed for each conclusion.

Low-resource option: Use verbal thumbs-up/down responses instead of cards.

Printables

Prepare before class (optional, about 25 minutes)

Passage context

Apostolic churches: The resurrection is both a claim about an event and the beginning of God's promised defeat of death.

  • Paul summarizes a received proclamation that Christ died, was buried, was raised, and appeared to witnesses.
  • Paul treats Christ’s resurrection as essential to Christian proclamation and faith.
  • Paul calls Christ the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  • Paul connects Christ’s resurrection with a future resurrection and the defeat of death.
  • Start with the principal passage before moving to broader synthesis.
  • Keep genre, original audience, and immediate context visible.
  • Label synthesis, inference, historical context, and application rather than presenting them as quotations.

Keep it faithful

  • Do not claim historical method can prove resurrection in exactly the same way as a repeatable laboratory event.
  • Do not overstate consensus about dates, source formulas, or the scope of historical conclusions without external verification.
  • Permit students to distinguish theological conviction from narrower historical claims.
  • Do not overstate: Do not state this claim more strongly than its evidence classification allows.

Questions children may ask

Is Paul giving history or theology?
Does 1 Corinthians 15 by itself prove the resurrection to everyone?

Every child can join in

  • Offer verbal or written response options.
  • Preview the activity sequence.
  • Allow students to pass on personal-sharing questions.
  • No sensory simulation is required.
  • Read the passage aloud and use icons, sequence cards, or oral choices.
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