Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.
Almighty God, who raised Jesus from death, strengthen our faith in the power of the resurrection, that we might know what it means to be alive in Christ. Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verses from Sunday’s reading.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 1 Corinthians 15:20 NRSV

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.
Paul has become aware that there are Christians in Corinth teaching that there is no resurrection from the dead. These teachers may have agreed that Christ rose from the dead, but apparently did not believe that Christ’s followers would also be raised. Paul insists that Christ’s resurrection is directly linked to the promise of our resurrection. If there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christ did not rise from the dead, and the Christian faith is foolishness. But Jesus Christ did rise from the dead, therefore we will too. Jesus is the “first fruits” of the dead. That is he is the first to rise from the dead, and his resurrection reveals the resurrection that awaits us all.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.

Read some passages from the letters of Paul and Peter about resurrection.

Sunday, 1 Corinthians 15:12-22

Monday, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Tuesday, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Wednesday, 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

Thursday 2 Timothy 2:8–13

Friday, 2 Timothy 2:14–19

Saturday, 1 Peter 1:3–9

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

• What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
• What does resurrection mean to you?
• How does your faith impact your feelings about death?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.
Write a note to someone who has lost a loved one. Let them know you are thinking of them and praying for them.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.
God of life, thank you for raising Jesus from the dead. Help us to live as your resurrection people. Amen.

Adapted (significantly), from material which is Copyright © 2014 Clergy Stuff. Used and adapted with Permission. Find more at www.ClergyStuff.com. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.