Acts 20:7-127 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and pu...
Acts 20:7-12
7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
10 Examples in Scripture of Someone Being Raised from the Dead:
1 The widow of Zarephath's son by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17-24)
2 The Shunammite woman's son by Elisha (2 Kings 4:18-37)
3 The man who touched Elisha's bones (2 Kings 13:20-21)
4 The widow of Nain's son by Jesus (Luke 7:11-17)
5 Jairus' daughter by Jesus (Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56)
6 Lazarus by Jesus (John 11:1-44)
7 Holy people at the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:50-53)
8 Tabitha (Dorcas) by Peter (Acts 9:36-43)
9 Eutychus by Paul (Acts 20:7-12)
10 Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18)
How these examples are the same:
In each example, someone was literally dead - not seemingly dead, not playing dead, not thought to be dead, they were dead - and by the authority and power of God, they were raised from the dead.
How one is different from the other ones:
The first nine were raised to their old lives. They were all raised from the dead back to how things used to be. They were raised from death to old life. They were brought back from death to their old life. This is called resuscitation from the dead.
Jesus was raised to a new life. He was raised from death to new life. He is the only one who has been raised from the dead to a new, glorified body. He is the only one who has been brought through death to a new life. This is called resurrection from the dead.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Icebreaker: what are some of the ways you have heard the story of Eutychus taught before today? Have you ever heard it used as a warning to stay alert or as a practical encouragement for better preaching?
2 Read through some of the examples in Scripture of people being raised from the dead. Is there one that has stood out to you more than another? Is there one that has been a favorite of yours? Why? How do these examples of God's power and authority over death encourage your faith?
3 Do you understand the difference between resuscitation from the dead and resurrection from the dead? Why is it important to know the difference?
4 The gospel invitation is to a new life in Jesus Christ. It is not a call to a better version of you. It's a call to a brand new version of you. Discuss the difference with your group.
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