How Do We Know He Rose?
Month 6: The Cross — Why Jesus Died · Why We Believe
Today's Scripture
Read together: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 20
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. … 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Memory Verse
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”— Romans 5:1 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 9–12
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time.The Heart of It
Christianity does not ask us to believe in the resurrection with our eyes closed. Paul lays out the evidence like a careful witness in court. Christ died, was buried, and rose again "according to the Scriptures." And then He appeared. He appeared to Peter, and to the twelve, and "after that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain" (). In other words, Paul is saying this: most of these eyewitnesses are still alive, so go ask them yourself! This is not a campfire legend told centuries later. It is a public claim made within a few short years, in front of hundreds of people who could confirm it or deny it.
Why does this matter so much? Because, Paul says, Christ is "risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (v. 20). "Firstfruits" is a farming word. It means the first ripe crop, the one that promises the whole harvest is coming. Jesus' resurrection is the guarantee that everyone who trusts Him will rise too. So we don't believe blindly. We believe because real people saw a real risen Jesus. They told the truth about it even when it cost them their lives. And they changed the world. The empty tomb has an explanation, and His name is Jesus.
Around the Table
Lots and lots of people SAW Jesus alive again! They got to talk to Him and eat with Him!
Let's do it: Hold up all ten fingers many times to count toward the "five hundred" people who saw Him.
Paul said hundreds of eyewitnesses were still alive. People could go ask them if it was true.
Let's talk: Why would so many eyewitnesses make the story easier to believe, not harder?
This creed dates to just a few years after the cross. That is far too early for it to be a legend.
Let's go deeper: What's the difference between believing something "blindly" and believing it based on evidence?
💬 Conversation Starter
Imagine you saw something amazing and nobody believed you. How many other witnesses would help prove it was real? Jesus had over five hundred!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says, "The resurrection is just a made-up story": We can kindly answer like this. The first followers had every reason to quit. They were scared. They were scattered. They were facing death. Yet they boldly preached a risen Jesus, and many died for it. People will die for what they sincerely believe. But they don't die for what they know is a lie. Their changed lives, the empty tomb, and hundreds of eyewitnesses are best explained by one thing. Jesus really rose ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Scholars sometimes point to four facts that most historians accept. They call them the "minimal facts." Jesus died by crucifixion. His tomb was found empty. His disciples sincerely believed they saw Him alive. And the church exploded in the very city where He was buried. Even skeptical critics grant most of these. The resurrection isn't merely the most spiritual explanation. It's the best historical one. Your children will meet professors and friends who treat faith as wishful thinking. So equip them now to answer with calm confidence. We follow Jesus because He rose, and we can show why. Teach them that good faith and good evidence are friends, not enemies.
Draws on: Josh McDowell & J. Warner Wallace, "minimal facts" case for the resurrection.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that Jesus really, truly rose. So many witnesses saw Him. Give our family confidence in the truth. Give us gentleness in sharing it. Make us ready to give a reason for our hope. In Jesus' name, amen."
We don't believe blindly. The risen Jesus was seen, and the witnesses told the truth.