Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on the themes from the sermon on Sunday, April 6, 2026:
Day 1: Running Toward the Truth
Reading: John 20:1-9
Devotional: When Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb, she ran to tell the disciples. Peter and John then ran to see for themselves. Their running wasn't dignified or culturally appropriate for first-century men, yet their urgency reveals something profound: truth demands a response. Like these disciples, we often need to see evidence for ourselves. God doesn't condemn our need for understanding; He invites investigation. The disciples weren't expecting resurrection—they found folded grave clothes and an empty tomb that forever changed their lives. What truth about Jesus are you running toward today? Don't let fear, doubt, or cultural expectations keep you from urgently seeking Him. Run toward the empty tomb and discover what it means for your life.
Reflection Question: What keeps you from urgently pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus?
Day 2: Jesus Knows Your Name
Reading: John 20:10-18
Devotional: Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, unable to recognize Jesus even when He stood before her. Her grief clouded her vision; her expectations limited her perception. Then Jesus spoke one word: "Mary." In that moment, everything changed. Tragedy turned to triumph. Jesus knows your name. He sees you in your darkest moments, when grief overwhelms and hope seems lost. He calls you personally, individually, intimately. You're not just another face in the crowd or a number in a database. The Creator of the universe knows your name and wants relationship with you. Like Mary, you may not always recognize His presence in your circumstances, but He is there, calling you by name, ready to transform your sorrow into joy.
Reflection Question: Can you hear Jesus calling your name in your current circumstances?
Day 3: Peace in the Locked Room
Reading: John 20:19-23
Devotional: The disciples huddled behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear. They had abandoned Jesus, denied Him, and now faced potential persecution themselves. Into this atmosphere of terror and shame, Jesus appeared with one word: "Peace." He didn't condemn their cowardice or rebuke their failure. He offered peace. No locked door can keep Jesus out. No failure is too great for His forgiveness. No fear is stronger than His presence. The same Jesus who was crucified stood before them alive, showing His scars as proof. Those scars weren't hidden in shame but displayed as evidence of His victory. Your locked doors—whether fear, shame, or doubt—cannot keep Jesus away. He enters your confined spaces and speaks peace over your chaos.
Reflection Question: What locked doors in your life need Jesus to enter with His peace?
Day 4: From Doubt to Worship
Reading: John 20:24-29
Devotional: Thomas earned the nickname "Doubting Thomas," but perhaps he should be called "Honest Thomas." He refused to pretend faith he didn't feel. He demanded evidence. Rather than condemning him, Jesus provided exactly what Thomas needed—an invitation to touch His wounds. Thomas's response moved from skepticism to the greatest declaration in John's Gospel: "My Lord and my God!" True faith doesn't require us to ignore our doubts or fake certainty we don't possess. Jesus welcomes honest seekers. He provides evidence for faith. But He also pronounces blessing on those who believe without seeing—that's us today. We haven't physically touched Jesus's scars, yet we trust in His resurrection. Your doubts don't disqualify you; bring them to Jesus and let Him transform them into worship.
Reflection Question: What doubts do you need to honestly bring before Jesus today?
Day 5: Victory Over Death
Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-20, 51-58
Devotional: Paul makes it clear: if Christ hasn't been raised, our faith is futile and we're still in our sins. But—and this is the glorious truth—Christ HAS been raised! This isn't wishful thinking or religious mythology. Over 500 people saw the risen Jesus. The resurrection is the foundation of Christian faith. Because Jesus lives, death has lost its sting. Because He conquered the grave, we have hope beyond this life. One day, in the twinkling of an eye, our perishable bodies will be transformed into imperishable ones. Every ache, pain, and limitation will be gone. Death will be swallowed up in victory. This isn't just future hope—it's present power. Because Jesus is alive, you can stand firm today, giving yourself fully to His work, knowing nothing you do for Him is in vain.
Reflection Question: How does the reality of Christ's resurrection change how you live today?
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Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that the tomb is empty. Thank You that You are alive and that because You live, I can face tomorrow. Help me to run toward truth, recognize Your voice calling my name, receive Your peace in my locked rooms, bring my doubts honestly before You, and live victoriously because death has been defeated. In Your powerful name, Amen.
Day 1: Running Toward the Truth
Reading: John 20:1-9
Devotional: When Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb, she ran to tell the disciples. Peter and John then ran to see for themselves. Their running wasn't dignified or culturally appropriate for first-century men, yet their urgency reveals something profound: truth demands a response. Like these disciples, we often need to see evidence for ourselves. God doesn't condemn our need for understanding; He invites investigation. The disciples weren't expecting resurrection—they found folded grave clothes and an empty tomb that forever changed their lives. What truth about Jesus are you running toward today? Don't let fear, doubt, or cultural expectations keep you from urgently seeking Him. Run toward the empty tomb and discover what it means for your life.
Reflection Question: What keeps you from urgently pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus?
Day 2: Jesus Knows Your Name
Reading: John 20:10-18
Devotional: Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, unable to recognize Jesus even when He stood before her. Her grief clouded her vision; her expectations limited her perception. Then Jesus spoke one word: "Mary." In that moment, everything changed. Tragedy turned to triumph. Jesus knows your name. He sees you in your darkest moments, when grief overwhelms and hope seems lost. He calls you personally, individually, intimately. You're not just another face in the crowd or a number in a database. The Creator of the universe knows your name and wants relationship with you. Like Mary, you may not always recognize His presence in your circumstances, but He is there, calling you by name, ready to transform your sorrow into joy.
Reflection Question: Can you hear Jesus calling your name in your current circumstances?
Day 3: Peace in the Locked Room
Reading: John 20:19-23
Devotional: The disciples huddled behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear. They had abandoned Jesus, denied Him, and now faced potential persecution themselves. Into this atmosphere of terror and shame, Jesus appeared with one word: "Peace." He didn't condemn their cowardice or rebuke their failure. He offered peace. No locked door can keep Jesus out. No failure is too great for His forgiveness. No fear is stronger than His presence. The same Jesus who was crucified stood before them alive, showing His scars as proof. Those scars weren't hidden in shame but displayed as evidence of His victory. Your locked doors—whether fear, shame, or doubt—cannot keep Jesus away. He enters your confined spaces and speaks peace over your chaos.
Reflection Question: What locked doors in your life need Jesus to enter with His peace?
Day 4: From Doubt to Worship
Reading: John 20:24-29
Devotional: Thomas earned the nickname "Doubting Thomas," but perhaps he should be called "Honest Thomas." He refused to pretend faith he didn't feel. He demanded evidence. Rather than condemning him, Jesus provided exactly what Thomas needed—an invitation to touch His wounds. Thomas's response moved from skepticism to the greatest declaration in John's Gospel: "My Lord and my God!" True faith doesn't require us to ignore our doubts or fake certainty we don't possess. Jesus welcomes honest seekers. He provides evidence for faith. But He also pronounces blessing on those who believe without seeing—that's us today. We haven't physically touched Jesus's scars, yet we trust in His resurrection. Your doubts don't disqualify you; bring them to Jesus and let Him transform them into worship.
Reflection Question: What doubts do you need to honestly bring before Jesus today?
Day 5: Victory Over Death
Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-20, 51-58
Devotional: Paul makes it clear: if Christ hasn't been raised, our faith is futile and we're still in our sins. But—and this is the glorious truth—Christ HAS been raised! This isn't wishful thinking or religious mythology. Over 500 people saw the risen Jesus. The resurrection is the foundation of Christian faith. Because Jesus lives, death has lost its sting. Because He conquered the grave, we have hope beyond this life. One day, in the twinkling of an eye, our perishable bodies will be transformed into imperishable ones. Every ache, pain, and limitation will be gone. Death will be swallowed up in victory. This isn't just future hope—it's present power. Because Jesus is alive, you can stand firm today, giving yourself fully to His work, knowing nothing you do for Him is in vain.
Reflection Question: How does the reality of Christ's resurrection change how you live today?
-------
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that the tomb is empty. Thank You that You are alive and that because You live, I can face tomorrow. Help me to run toward truth, recognize Your voice calling my name, receive Your peace in my locked rooms, bring my doubts honestly before You, and live victoriously because death has been defeated. In Your powerful name, Amen.
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