Suggested template:
- Start with the bottom line
- Something personal (funny / touching / vulnerable)
- Older brother
- Younger brother
- Exposition / Background
- Action item / challenge
- Repeat the bottom line (Pray?)
Suggested Bottom Line
“To the world” he said, “you are already dead.”
The Christian’s hope for eternal life has already begun… since we have already “died” in Baptism and have risen to new life. In this way we are dead to the world
What should the older brother hear?
“Since you have already died in Christ, stop living as though your hope is in worldy things! Jesus is calling you to live dangerously for him. Follow the example of the Saints and Martyrs, who were not afraid of losing everything for Christ.”
What should the younger brother hear?
“You are a child of God. A child receives her essence, her nature from her parents, and so you receive God’s nature as his child – you are eternal, made to live forever. The suffering we experience in this life, though real, is washed in this hope – that we will rise victorious if our life is rooted in Jesus Christ.”
Action Item
Remember how we asked you to pray for a friend who is far from Christ? Tell that person you are praying for them.
Questions
Discuss the fact that we are Children of God. How might this affect our relationship with God?
How does hope in the resurrection affect the way we live? The way we suffer?
Personal story ideas or suggestions
The brazen, sometimes even dismissive attitude of the Martyrs is a constant reminder of this. (St. Lawrence perhaps?)
The brothers in Maccabees are a good example of being willing to offer up our human lives in lieu of our true lives, our eternal lives.
Relevant Cultural References and Links
Maybe not as relevant, but this line is in “the Matrix” at the very beginning of the movie. Agent Smith says “No, lieutenant, in fact your men are already dead.”
