Jesus Is Alive Forevermore!
Month 12: Risen & Sending · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: Luke 24:1-12
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. 5 As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’” 8 Then they remembered His words. 9 And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
Memory Verse
“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.”— Matthew 28:6 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Galatians 5-6; Ephesians 1
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (The fruit of the Spirit — "love, joy, peace, patience" — and the riches we have "in Christ," chosen, redeemed, and sealed with the Spirit.)The Heart of It
Tonight we gather as a family to worship the risen Lord. Luke gives us the perfect picture. The women come at early dawn with their spices. They find the stone rolled away. They stand there confused. Then two angels in shining clothes ask the question that has echoed through every Easter since: "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" (). The living among the dead. What a phrase! They were looking for Jesus in a tomb, the place where dead things stay. But Jesus is not a memory to visit. He is a living Lord to follow. Then the angels point them back to His own words. "They remembered His words" (v. 8). And the women run to tell the apostles. At first the men think it is "idle tales." But Peter gets up and runs to see for himself. He goes home amazed.
This is why we worship. The same Jesus who walked out of that tomb is alive right now. Not just back then. This very evening, as your family sits together. Revelation says He is "alive forevermore" and holds "the keys of Hades and of Death" (). Think of what that means for your children. The worst enemy any human will ever face is death itself. And death has already been beaten by the One they love. He holds the keys. So we don't gather tonight to remember a sad story or honor a dead hero. We gather to praise a living Savior. He conquered the grave. He promises that all who trust and follow Him will share in His life. So let your worship tonight be loud and glad. He is risen. He is alive forevermore. And that is the best reason in the universe to sing.
Around the Table
The angels asked, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" Jesus isn't in the tomb. He's alive! That's why we sing and praise Him.
Let's do it: Sing a happy worship song together. Try "Jesus is alive!" Then do a big celebration cheer at the end.
The angels told the women to "remember His words." Jesus had promised He would rise. And worship helps us remember His promises.
Let's talk: What is one thing about the risen Jesus you most want to thank Him for tonight?
Jesus is alive forevermore, and He holds the keys of death. The very thing humans fear most has already been beaten.
Let's go deeper: Jesus holds the keys of death. How should knowing that change the way a Christian faces fear, suffering, or even dying?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you could plan the biggest celebration ever, what would it look like?— The resurrection is the greatest reason to celebrate in all of history. Let's celebrate it tonight!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Luke was a careful historian and a doctor. He says he investigated "from the very first" and wrote "an orderly account" (). He even reports that the apostles first dismissed the women's news as "idle tales." That is the opposite of propaganda. He honestly admits the first Christians struggled to believe. And that is exactly what real eyewitnesses would record.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Family worship doesn't require a worship band or a polished plan. It requires a father who will gather his children and lift their eyes to a living Lord. The Puritans and the early Methodists alike treated the home as a little church. Dad was its pastor, and the resurrection was the beating heart of its praise. So tonight, lean into joy. Don't let this become a lecture. Let it become a celebration. Read the passage. Sing something the four-year-old can shout along to. Thank Jesus out loud for being alive. Let your kids hear you actually glad about the gospel. The deepest argument your children will ever meet is a father whose own heart visibly burns for the risen Christ. They are watching to see if this is real to you. Let them see that it is. You are not seeking the living among the dead. You are worshiping a Savior who is gloriously, presently, forever alive.
Draws on: Joel Beeke, Family Worship; Donald Whitney, Family Worship.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, we worship You tonight. Jesus is alive forevermore! Thank You that He beat death. He holds the keys, so we never have to be afraid. Fill our home with joy and praise. Help us follow our living Lord every day. In Jesus' name, amen."
We don't seek the living among the dead. Jesus is alive forevermore, and He is worth our whole heart's praise.