Hope that grows from the ground

01 · GATHER ROUND

Start with a question.

“What’s the most surprising thing you’ve ever seen grow—from a seed, a bulb, or a forgotten potato in the pantry?”

If you have seeds or bulbs at home, bring them out. No seeds? A dry bean from the pantry works, too.

03 · OPEN THE BIBLE

Bulbs in the fall.

In the fall, gardeners dig small holes and drop in tulip bulbs. The bulbs look like dry, brown onions. Nothing about them looks alive. The gardener covers them with dirt, and winter comes. Snow falls. Everything is cold and still. But in the spring, green shoots push up through the ground, and soon there are bright red and yellow flowers where nothing seemed to be.

The Bible uses pictures like this for resurrection. When Jesus died, his friends laid his body in a tomb. It seemed like the end. But on the third day, Jesus rose—alive in a new, strong body that will never die again. He beat sin and death.

And his victory is for us, too. Jesus’s resurrection means that everyone who trusts him receives new life right now. The Bible says God makes us new on the inside, with hearts that can love him. And it means we will have life that never ends in the world to come.

Our Bible reading was written to Christians who were sad because people they loved had died. Paul doesn’t tell them to stop being sad. He tells them not to grieve like people who have no hope. Christians still cry when someone dies. Jesus cried when his friend Lazarus died. But our tears have hope mixed in.

Paul explains the hope: since Jesus died and rose again, God will bring with Jesus those who have died trusting him. Paul calls them people who have “fallen asleep.” That doesn’t mean going to bed is dangerous. It’s a gentle way of saying their death won’t last—they will wake up! Right now they are with Jesus. Their bodies are like bulbs in the ground, waiting for spring. One day God will raise his people with new bodies that never get sick, tired, or old.

So when you think about death, or miss someone you love, remember the tulips. Winter is real. But spring is coming.

04 · WONDER TOGETHER

Let’s talk about it.

1. How is a bulb planted in the ground like the Bible’s promise of resurrection?
2. What does it mean to grieve with hope?
3. What new life does Jesus give us right now, even before the world to come?

Try answering one yourself first. “I don’t know yet” is a fine place to start a conversation.

06 · TALK TO GOD

Let’s pray.

Risen Lord Jesus, thank you that you beat sin and death. Thank you that everyone who trusts you has new life now and will live forever with you. When we are sad or miss someone we love, help us grieve with hope. Thank you that death doesn’t get the last word. Amen.

Then invite everyone to add one thing they want to tell God.

07 · MAKE IT STICK

A little truth to learn by heart.

Crouch down small like a seed as you begin the answer. Slowly rise as you say the words about new life in this world, then stretch up tall on your tiptoes, arms high, for life in the world to come. Grow up out of the ground three times.