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The sermon describes the resurrection as the most important event in all of human history and the entire universe — do you agree with that claim, and how does your answer shape the way you live day to day?

Dave points out that the disciples were willing to die for what they believed they had witnessed — what does their willingness to face execution rather than recant tell us about the nature of genuine conviction versus mere belief?

Mary Magdalene, a woman with a difficult past and a testimony that carried little legal weight in her culture, was chosen by Jesus to be the first witness of the resurrection — what does this choice reveal about how God assigns worth and purpose to people?

The sermon describes Jesus calling Mary by name as the moment she recognized him — in what ways do you experience or long for the sense that God knows you personally and calls you by name?

Bishop Leslie Newbigin is quoted as saying the resurrection was not the reversal of a defeat but the manifestation of a victory — how does reframing the cross and resurrection as a planned victory rather than a crisis rescue change the way you understand the gospel?

The disciples remained behind locked doors even after some of them had already seen the risen Jesus, suggesting that understanding can begin without fully taking hold — where in your own life have you known something to be true intellectually without it fully transforming how you live?

Jesus responded to Thomas’s doubt not with rebuke but with an invitation to touch his wounds and draw close — what does this tell us about how God views honest doubt, and how should that shape the way Christian communities respond to those who struggle to believe?

The sermon draws on the Japanese art of kintsugi — repairing broken pottery with gold — as a picture of what Jesus does with broken lives; in what areas of your life do you most need that kind of restoration, and what might it look like to trust God with those broken places?

Dave notes that the disciples moved from being paralyzed by fear in a locked room to being sent out on a mission that continues to this day — what role does an encounter with the resurrected Jesus play in transforming fear into purpose, and where do you see that dynamic in your own life?

John states at the end of chapter 20 that his account was written so that readers might believe Jesus is the Messiah and have life in his name — what does it mean practically to have life in the name of Jesus, and how does that differ from simply acknowledging that he existed and rose from the dead?

1. Mary was seen and called by name
   Mary Magdalene was grieving outside the tomb, and everything changed when Jesus simply said, “Mary.”
   Question: What does it mean to you that Jesus knows you personally and calls you by name—especially in seasons of grief, confusion, or feeling unseen?
2. Jesus meets us where we are
   In the sermon, Jesus met Mary in her tears, the disciples in their fear, and Thomas in his doubt.
   Question: Where do you most need Jesus to meet you at the moment—with comfort, peace, courage, faith, or restoration?
3. An “unexpected” first witness
   Jesus chose Mary Magdalene as the first person to see him risen and to carry the news to the disciples.
   Question: What encouragement do you take from the fact that Jesus entrusted this message to a woman with a complicated past?
4. Locked doors can’t keep Jesus out
   The disciples were behind locked doors because they were afraid, but Jesus came and said, “Peace be with you.”
   Question: Are there “locked doors” in our hearts—fear, shame, disappointment, busyness, self-protection—that we need to invite Jesus into?
5. Broken pottery repaired with gold
   The sermon used the picture of kintsugi—broken pottery repaired with gold—as an image of Jesus restoring wounded lives.
   Question: Where have you seen Jesus bring beauty, healing, or purpose out of brokenness in your life or someone else’s?

1. “Death is defeated by the resurrected Jesus.”
   The sermon said the resurrection isn’t just an inspiring idea—it changes everything.
   Question: How does believing Jesus has defeated death affect the way we face fear, illness, ageing, grief, or uncertainty?
2. Mary Magdalene was the first witness
   Jesus revealed himself first to Mary—someone with a difficult past and not the “obvious” choice in that culture.
   Question: What does that tell us about how Jesus sees people? Have you ever felt God used someone unexpected—or used you when you didn’t feel qualified?
3. Locked doors can’t keep Jesus out
   The disciples were behind locked doors, afraid, and Jesus came to them saying, “Peace be with you.”
   Question: What are some “locked rooms” men can retreat into today—fear, pride, shame, loneliness, pressure? How can we let Jesus bring peace into those places?
4. Thomas doubted—but Jesus met him with compassion
   Jesus didn’t reject Thomas for doubting. He invited him closer.
   Question: How should Christian men handle doubts—our own or someone else’s? What helps you move towards Jesus rather than away from him when faith feels difficult?
5. Jesus restores broken lives like kintsugi pottery
   The sermon used the picture of broken pottery repaired with gold—scars becoming part of the beauty.
   Question: Where have you seen Jesus bring restoration from brokenness, failure, grief, or past mistakes? What “cracks” might he still be working on in us?