46.

Jesus’ Death and Burial: Setting Every Captive Free

Matthew 27:51-66

  • Session: 46
  • Week: 7
  • Day: 4
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Introduction

In a world where many reject Christ due to ignorance of His death, this session from Matthew 27:51-66 is crucial for empowering the disciples of Jesus Christ today in defending their faith (apologetics). By gaining a deep understanding of the death of Jesus and the overwhelming evidence supporting it, believers can confidently address the doubts and criticisms prevalent in today’s world. This passage presents over six eyewitness accounts and key events that affirm the reality of Christ’s death and burial, including testimonies from the resurrected saints, the centurion, the women, Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate, the chief priests, Pharisees, and the guards. Study this session carefully to equip yourself with these five unique pieces of evidence—such as the tearing of the temple veil, the earthquake, the splitting of rocks, and the raising of saints—so that you can confidently share and defend these truths with others.

Objectives

By the end of this session, you will have:

  • Learned how to present compelling evidence of Jesus Christ’s death to doubters by identifying at least five eyewitnesses and their testimonies.
  • Gained confidence in proclaiming the death and burial of Jesus by referencing the accounts of eyewitnesses to these events.

Outline

  • The death of Jesus on the cross: He yielded His spirit into the hands of God the Father.
  • Initial evidence confirming the death of Jesus Christ.
  • The seven eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ’s death and burial, and their testimonies.
  • How to effectively present the evidence of Jesus Christ’s death to doubters.
  • Practise presenting the evidence of Jesus’ death to others.
  • His burial by a wealthy secret disciple.

Group Study Time

Matthew 27:51-66

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

What do the verses mean?
(In small groups, attempt the following questions):

  • Read Matthew 27:50 – What distinguished Jesus’ death from the deaths of others?
  • Read Matthew 27:50-56 – Identify five unique events that served as initial proof of Jesus Christ’s death.
  • Read Matthew 27:52-66 – For those who doubt Jesus Christ’s death, list five witnesses (individuals or groups) who could testify to His death. What would each of their testimonies include? Discuss and compile your answers in your groups.
  • What lessons did you learn from the account of Jesus Christ’s death?

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.