June 7, 2025
A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.
After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others.
In 2025, five strange discoveries captured people’s attention—each was mysterious, awe-inspiring, and hard to explain. Rate each from 1 to 5 (1 = total hoax, 5 = very likely true):
Now compare these to the events in Matthew 27:50–54—earthquakes, torn curtains, opened tombs. Those watching were seized by awe. What do unexplainable moments stir in us?
The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.
Then participants are to ask:
When a person dies, the body shuts down and the world moves on. But when Jesus—the Creator—“gave up His spirit,” the earth itself responded. The ground shook, rocks split, and skies turned dark. These weren’t random natural events; they were creation reacting to the death of its Maker. Nature, in all its precision and power, knows its Designer. Why do you think creation trembled that day?
Throughout His ministry, Jesus showed mastery over creation: He called fish into nets (Luke 5), calmed a storm with a word (Mark 4), cleansed diseased skin (Luke 5), and multiplied bread to feed thousands (John 6). Even the winds and waves obeyed Him.
But perhaps the most unexpected declaration came from a Roman centurion, hardened by violence and empire. Having witnessed the unnatural signs at Jesus’ death, he stood in awe and confessed, “Surely this man was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).
A parting video clip with a personal invitation to apply the message to “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ” in the coming week.