He Called It - Week 3

Proven
1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 

1) The Resurrection is foretold

2) The resurrection was witnessed
- 1 Corinthians 15:5-11
- The resurrection is not something that happened in obscurity and we are simply told to trust Jesus, it was public.

A. Failures saw Him (v.5)
- The resurrection is not carried by polished heroes, but by restored failures.

B. Crowds saw Him (v.6)
- The resurrection claim was public enough to be tested in its own time.

C. Doubters saw Him (v.7)
- The resurrection confronted skepticism.

D. Enemies saw Him

Paul is not a trophy of religious sincerity; he is evidence of resurrection power.

3) The resurrection is essential. 
- 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
- 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

4) The resurrection is victorious.

Small Group Questions

1. Why is the resurrection “of first importance”?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1–4.
- Paul says the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are most important. Why do you think this is the center of our faith? What happens if we treat it like a small part of Christianity instead of the foundation?

2. Which witness stands out to you most?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:5–8.
- Peter was a failure, James was a doubter, Paul was an enemy, and more than 500 people saw Jesus alive. Which one stands out to you most, and why does that encourage your faith?

3. What does the resurrection say to people who have failed?
- Peter denied Jesus, but later became a witness to the risen Christ. How does that give hope to someone who feels ashamed, guilty, or like they have messed up too badly?

4. Why does the resurrection matter for your everyday life?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:12–19.
- Paul says if Christ is not raised, our faith is empty and we are still in our sins. How does knowing Jesus is truly alive give you hope in your daily life right now?

5. What victory do you most need to remember today?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:54–58.
- Paul says death is swallowed up in victory and our labor is not in vain. Which part of Christ’s victory do you most need right now: forgiveness, hope, strength, peace, or confidence about death? Why?

3-Day Devotional

Day 1 — The Resurrection Is the Heart of the Gospel

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:1–4

Paul reminds the church of what matters most: Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again on the third day. This is not just one truth among many. This is the heart of the gospel.

The resurrection means Jesus is not just a good teacher from the past. He is the living Savior. If Jesus stayed in the grave, there would be no salvation, no forgiveness, and no hope. But because He rose, the gospel is true.

The resurrection was also “according to the Scriptures.” That means God planned this all along. Jesus’ death and resurrection were not accidents. God promised them, and God fulfilled them.

Think about it: Do you treat the resurrection like the center of your faith, or just something you remember on Easter?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for dying for my sins and rising again. Help me remember that Your resurrection is the foundation of my faith and my hope. Amen.

Day 2 — The Resurrection Was Seen by Real People

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:5–8

Paul gives a list of witnesses who saw the risen Jesus. Peter saw Him. The apostles saw Him. More than 500 people saw Him. James saw Him. Paul saw Him.

This matters because the resurrection was not a secret. It was not a made-up story told years later. It happened in public, and many people saw Jesus alive.

What is amazing is the kind of people who saw Him. Peter had failed. James had doubted. Paul had fought against Jesus and the church. But Jesus appeared to all of them. That means the resurrection is good news for failures, doubters, and enemies.

Jesus does not only meet strong people. He meets broken people too.

Think about it: Which person in this list do you connect with most: a failure like Peter, a doubter like James, or an enemy like Paul?

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You meet people in their weakness, doubt, and sin. Help me trust that You are alive and able to change lives, including mine. Amen.

Day 3 — The Resurrection Gives Us Victory

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:12–19 and 54–58

Paul says if Christ has not been raised, our faith is empty and we are still in our sins. That is how important the resurrection is. A dead savior cannot save.

But Jesus is not dead. He is alive.

Because Jesus rose from the grave, sin can be forgiven. Death has been defeated. Our labor is not in vain. What Jesus won, we now enjoy. His victory becomes our victory.

This means Christians do not have to live in fear. Death is still painful, but it does not have the final word. Sin is serious, but Jesus has the power to forgive. Life can be hard, but nothing done for Christ is wasted.

Because Jesus lives, there is hope for today and hope forever.

Think about it: Which truth do you most need today: forgiveness, victory over sin, courage in suffering, or hope over death?

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your victory over sin and death. Help me live with courage, hope, and faith because You are alive. Amen.