Easter Season: From Resurrection to Pentecost

What Jesus Did After the Resurrection

Easter is more than one Sunday. It is a season of resurrection hope, renewed faith, and joyful celebration. From the empty tomb to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Easter season invites us to walk with the risen Jesus and see how He continued His work after the resurrection.

During these fifty days, Jesus appeared to His followers, gave hope, restored the broken, opened eyes to Scripture, sent His disciples into the world, ascended into heaven, promised power, and sent the Holy Spirit.

At Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, we celebrate Easter as the beginning of new life in Christ and the beginning of a mission-filled journey of faith.

The Easter Season Journey

Explore these lessons and reels in our Easter Season series:

  1. He Was Resurrected
  2. He Appeared
  3. He Gave Hope
  4. He Restored
  5. He Opened Eyes
  6. He Opened Eyes- Part 2
  7. He Sent Out Followers
  8. He Ascended
  9. He Promised Power
  10. He Sent the Holy Spirit

 From Resurrection to Pentecost

What Is Easter Season?

The Easter season is the fifty-day celebration from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. It is a time when Christians remember that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and continued preparing His followers for their mission in the world.

These days remind us that resurrection was not the end of the story—it was the beginning.

Jesus continued teaching, restoring, commissioning, blessing, and preparing His disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Why Easter Season Matters

The Easter season helps us:

  • Live in resurrection hope
  • Grow in faith after difficult seasons
  • Learn how Jesus prepares His people
  • Remember that Christ is alive today
  • Depend on the Holy Spirit
  • Live as witnesses in the world

It reminds us that Easter joy is meant to shape everyday life.

GROW Through Easter Season

G — Grounded in Scripture

Key Scriptures for the Easter season include:

  • Matthew 28
  • Mark 16
  • Luke 24
  • John 20–21
  • Acts 1–2
  • 1 Corinthians 15:3–8

These passages tell the story of the risen Jesus appearing to His followers and preparing them for Pentecost.

R — Reasons We Believe

Christian faith rests on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The disciples were changed because they encountered the risen Lord. Fear became courage. Doubt became witness. Weakness became mission.

Because Jesus lives, we have reason for hope, confidence, and faith.

O — Obedience in Action

Jesus did not simply comfort His followers—He sent them.

He told them to go, make disciples, serve others, proclaim good news, and wait for the Holy Spirit.

The Easter season calls us to follow Him in faith and action.

W — Walk It Out

We live Easter faith when we:

  • Choose hope over fear
  • Return to Christ after failure
  • Let Scripture shape our hearts
  • Share the love of Jesus
  • Serve our neighbors
  • Depend on the Holy Spirit
  • Live as witnesses every day

The Nine Easter Season Themes

1. He Was Resurrected

Jesus rose from the dead. The tomb was empty, and death was defeated.
 

2. He Appeared

Jesus appeared to His followers, proving He was alive and bringing peace to fearful hearts.3. He Gave Hope
He Appeared– reel
Lesson- He Appeared

3. He Gave Hope

The risen Christ replaced sorrow and fear with peace, courage, and hope.
He Gave Hope– reel
Lesson- He Gave Hope

4. He Restored

Jesus restored Peter and reminds us that failure is never the end with God.

He Restored– reel 
 

5. He Opened Eyes

Jesus opened the Scriptures and revealed Himself to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

He Opened Eyes– reel 

6. He Sent Out Followers

Jesus gave the Great Commission and sent His followers into the world.

7. He Ascended

Jesus ascended to heaven and reigns as Lord.

He Ascended– reel
 
Lesson- He Ascended
 

Ascension — Living and Leading Courageously

Acts 7:55–60 • 1 Peter 2:2–10

On Ascension Sunday, Rev. Emily Freeman Penfield reflected on what it means to become “living stones” built on Christ the Cornerstone. Connecting Stephen’s courageous witness in Acts 7 with Peter’s teaching in 1 Peter 2, the lesson reminded believers that the risen and reigning Christ continues shaping ordinary lives for His kingdom. As Stephen looked into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, the church is encouraged to live boldly, serve faithfully, and lead courageously through worship, discipleship, and everyday faith.

Explore the Lesson:

Living and Leading Courageously — Living Stones Built on Christ the Cornerstone

Worship Resources:

Living and Leading Courageously Worship Resources

8. He Promised Power

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit so His followers would not serve alone.

  He Promised Power- reel 

9. He Sent the Holy Spirit

At Pentecost, the church was empowered to witness and serve.

  He Sent the Holy Spirit– Pentecost- reel 
 
Lesson- He Sent the Holy Spirit– Pentecost

What This Means for Us Today

Jesus still gives hope.
Jesus still restores.
Jesus still opens eyes.
Jesus still sends His people.
Jesus still reigns.
Jesus still empowers His church.

The Easter season is not only history—it is invitation.

Come and see what the risen Christ can do.

  • Reflection Questions

    1. What part of the Easter story do I most need in this season of life?

    Possible answers:

    • Resurrection hope after loss
    • Peace in anxiety
    • Restoration after mistakes
    • Clear direction from God
    • Courage to witness
    • Strength through the Holy Spirit
    • Joy that I have been missing

    2. Where do I need the risen Christ to bring new life?

    Possible answers:

    • My faith
    • A broken relationship
    • My prayer life
    • Emotional healing
    • Motivation to keep going
    • Hope for the future
    • Renewed purpose

    3. How has Jesus already been at work in my life?

    Possible answers:

    • Carrying me through hardship
    • Answering prayer
    • Giving peace in stress
    • Providing what I needed
    • Restoring something broken
    • Opening doors at the right time
    • Drawing me closer to Him

    4. What fear or burden do I need to surrender to Christ?

    Possible answers:

    • Fear of the future
    • Financial pressure
    • Health concerns
    • Family stress
    • Regret from the past
    • Loneliness
    • Anxiety I keep carrying

    5. How might Jesus be sending me to bless someone else?

    Possible answers:

    • Encourage a friend
    • Invite someone to church
    • Help a neighbor
    • Pray for someone hurting
    • Volunteer in ministry
    • Share kindness at work
    • Reach out to someone lonely

    6. Am I trying to live in my own strength or the Holy Spirit’s power?

    Possible answers:

    • Trying to control everything
    • Feeling burned out
    • Forgetting to pray first
    • Carrying stress alone
    • Learning to trust God daily
    • Asking for help from the Spirit
    • Surrendering one step at a time

    7. What would it look like to live as an Easter person this week?

    Possible answers:

    • Choose hope over despair
    • Forgive someone
    • Worship with gratitude
    • Speak encouraging words
    • Serve joyfully
    • Trust God in uncertainty
    • Take one faithful next step
     
     

Prayer

Risen Lord Jesus, thank You for the hope of Easter. Restore our hearts, open our eyes, strengthen our faith, and send us into the world with love and courage. Fill us with the Holy Spirit so we may live as faithful witnesses in every season. Amen.
 

Continue the Journey

Explore each lesson and reel in our Easter Season series as we walk from Resurrection to Pentecost together.

Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church
Where neighbors become family and faith comes alive.
“As the risen Christ brought light after darkness, the church is called to shine as a beacon of hope in every generation.”