Christ Died and Rose Again
Month 4: Is Jesus Really God? · Memory Verse
Today's Scripture
Read together: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
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,
Memory Verse
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”— 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Leviticus 19-21
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 113 of 365 — "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.")The Heart of It
Our memory verse this week is one of the oldest summaries of the gospel that exists. Scholars believe Paul was repeating a short statement that Christians said together. They were saying it within just a few years of the resurrection. —That's long before the New Testament was finished. Notice how Paul says it. "I delivered to you... that which I also received." This was passed from eyewitnesses, hand to hand, like a treasure too precious to lose. And it boils the good news down to four simple facts. Christ died. He died for our sins. He was buried. And He rose again the third day.
Every one of those facts matters. He died. He really died. He didn't just faint. He died for our sins. His death was not an accident. It was a rescue. He paid a debt we could never pay. He was buried. That proves His death was real and witnessed. And He rose. That proves His sacrifice was accepted and His power is unbreakable. All of it happened "according to the Scriptures," exactly as the prophets foretold centuries before. When you hide this verse in your heart, you're memorizing the gospel itself. It's the message that can save anyone who believes it.
Around the Table
Here are four things to remember. Jesus died. He died for our sins. He was buried. And He rose again!
Let's do it: Count on four fingers as you say each part: "died... for our sins... buried... rose again!"
This little verse is like the whole gospel folded up small. Each phrase tells us something we need.
Let's talk: The verse says Jesus died for our sins, not just that He died. Why is that important?
Paul "received" and "delivered" this creed. Believers were already saying it very early on. That's strong evidence the resurrection wasn't a legend that grew over time.
Let's go deeper: How could you use these two verses to explain the gospel to a friend in under a minute?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's something so important your family says it the exact same way every time?— The earliest Christians did that with the gospel. And now you can too!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some say the story of Jesus was invented long after He lived. But this creed in was being recited within a few years of the cross. That's far too soon to be a made-up legend. Share it kindly and confidently, "with gentleness and respect" ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Help your family treat memorization as more than a recital trick. It is loading the soul with truth you can draw on under pressure. This particular passage gives your children a portable, defensible gospel they can carry anywhere. Historians widely date this creed to within about five years of the crucifixion. That dismantles the idea that the resurrection was a slow-growing myth. As you say it together each day this week, occasionally pause and ask, "Which word here is good news for you today?" Memory verses become heart verses when we keep connecting them to real life.
Draws on: Gary Habermas & Michael Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You for the good news. Christ died for our sins. He was buried. And He rose again. Write these words on our hearts. Help us never forget them, so we can always share them. In Jesus' name, amen."
The gospel in four facts. Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose again.