The Gospels Set 23 Study Resources
Companion study notes, commentary, and next-step resources for this set of readings from The Gospels Discipleship Journal.
This Set’s Big Idea
Jesus rises from the dead, turns grief into hope, opens hearts to understand the Scriptures, brings peace to fearful disciples, and calls His followers to believe and bear witness.
As you read, watch how the empty tomb overturns despair, the risen Jesus meets Mary in her grief, walks with confused disciples, reveals Himself through the Scriptures, speaks peace to fearful followers, invites honest faith, and restores hope through His living presence.
These notes correspond with Set 23 readings in The Gospels Discipleship Journal. First, use MTSM’s Pray, Read, Ask, and Pray method to study the passage devotionally. After you finish, use these notes to deepen your understanding if you’d like.
This set begins in the silence of the tomb. Jesus has been crucified, His body has been buried, and His followers are overwhelmed by grief and confusion. Yet death does not have the final word. On the first day of the week, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and the angel announces that Jesus has risen just as He said.
In John 20, Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb in sorrow, but the risen Jesus meets her personally and calls her by name. Her grief turns to joy, and she becomes one of the first witnesses to proclaim, “I have seen the Lord.” The resurrection is not merely an idea to understand. It is the living Christ meeting broken people and sending them with good news.
As you read Luke 24, pay attention to the patience of Jesus with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They know the events surrounding His death, but they do not yet understand what those events mean. Jesus walks with them, opens the Scriptures, and shows that the Messiah’s suffering and glory were always part of God’s plan. Their confusion gives way to recognition, worship, and urgent witness.
Jesus also appears to His frightened disciples behind locked doors and speaks peace over them. Thomas struggles to believe what he has not seen, but Jesus meets him in his doubt and calls him to faith. John reminds us that these signs were written so that we may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and have life in His name.
In John 21, the risen Jesus meets His disciples in an ordinary place beside the sea. He provides for them, welcomes them to breakfast, and reminds them that His resurrection changes not only eternity but everyday life. These passages invite us to trust the risen Christ, bring Him our grief and questions, understand Scripture in light of His victory, receive His peace, and bear witness that Jesus is alive.
👉 Continue where you are in this set’s reading journey.
📖 Don’t rush—take time to reflect, write, and pray through the empty tomb, the risen Jesus’ personal presence, the hope of resurrection, and the call to believe and bear witness.
Start with 🟦 Foundations Commentary.
If a passage raises questions or you want to go deeper, move to 🟩 Leader or 🟪 Deep Roots.
You do not need to read every (or any) commentary level to benefit from The Gospels.
Matthew 27:57-28:15
- 🟦 Matthew 27:1-66 – The Innocent King Condemned for the Guilty
- 🟦 Matthew 28:1-20 – The King’s Resurrection And Commission
John 20:1-18
Luke 24:13-35
John 20:19-31
John 21:1-14
Your Next Step
Using The Gospels Journal in a Group Setting?
Continue the conversation with The Gospels Set 23 Discussion & Heart Check Questions. Explore the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, His appearance to Mary Magdalene, the road to Emmaus, His peace for fearful disciples, His gracious response to Thomas’ doubts, and His continued care for His followers after rising from the dead.
Together, consider how the resurrection transforms grief into hope, fear into peace, confusion into understanding, and doubt into faith. Discuss what it means to know the risen Christ personally, trust His promises, live with resurrection hope, and boldly bear witness that Jesus is alive.
If you are not using The Gospels Journal in a group setting, you can still use the Discussion and Heart Check Questions for personal reflection, accountability, and application.
Perfect for: small groups, discipleship groups, families, Sunday School classes, one-on-one discipleship relationships, and personal reflection.
Keep Walking with Jesus
Remember, you’re not just reading Scripture—you’re learning to walk with Jesus. Stay consistent this week. Read slowly, reflect honestly, pray intentionally, and come back for the next step in the journey.
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