Easter 2026

THE HARDEST PARTS ABOUT EASTER:

ADMITTING I HAVE MADE THINGS MORE IMPORTANT THAN JESUS

What happens?

Some of us were raised right, but we are not living right.

19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” JOHN 20:19-23 NLT

ADMITTING I WAS WRONG ABOUT JESUS

24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound on his side.” JOHN 20:24-25 NLT

Failing to admit you’re wrong can:

THE BEST PARTS ABOUT EASTER:

PROVES THERE IS LIFE AFTER DEATH

26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” JOHN 20:26-27 NLT

…”Why do you look for the living among the dead? LUKE 24:5 NIV

REVEALS THERE IS POWER FOR ME IN HIS NAME

30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. JOHN 20:30-31 NLT

ALLOWS ME ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO BELIEVE

28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” JOHN 20:28-29 NLT

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. JOHN 3:16-17 NIV

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: Growing up, what did you believe about Jesus and Christianity?
  2. START HERE: When was the last time you had to admit you were flat-out wrong about something important? What helps you be real when you’re wrong?
  3. KEEP GOING: What’s something that tends to take Jesus’ place when your life gets busy or hard?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read John 20:19-20 NLT. The disciples are hiding after Jesus was crucified, and then He walks in and says, “Peace.” What would you feel if Jesus suddenly showed up physically in your life?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read John 20:24–29 NLT. Jesus comes back and meets Thomas in his doubt. What does that tell you about how Jesus handles people who struggle to believe?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read John 3:16-17 NLT. If you’ve never trusted in Jesus for forgiveness of your sins and eternal life, are you willing to today? If you’ve already trusted in Jesus, what in your life has changed since then?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read John 20:30-31 NLT. Where do you need to invite God’s power into your life?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: What’s one real step you can take this week to make Jesus the leader in all areas of your life?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Who in your life missed church this weekend? What would it look like for you to share your faith story or invite them into a conversation about Jesus this week?