JESUS' DEATH ON THE CROSS IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY

If Jesus' death had been the end, he would have been merely another tragic figure who fought oppression and ultimately failed.

Rather, his death on the cross marked a new beginning. The good news is that God raised Jesus to life. Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate triumph over evil and death.

The season of Lent provides a time to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made and rejoice in the reality that the story doesn't end on the cross... it is only beginning!

Explore the meaning of Jesus' passion (suffering and death) and resurrection with these Scripture-based resources.

Scripture Resources

The Passion: Why?
Are you asking yourself, "What's this all about?" Find answers here. More...

The Passion: He Died!
Who is Jesus and why did he have to die? This Scripture portion will help you understand these questions by going straight to the Bible for answers. More...

The Life of the Christ
Read the entire story of Jesus' life as told in Luke's Gospel. Download/View PDF (Requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Who's in the Story
Don't know much about the people in the passion story? This overview will help you figure out who's who! More...

Bible Reading Plans
Inspired to start reading the Bible? Here are 2 reading plans to help guide your way. More...

The Four Gospel Stories
All four Gospel writers wrote about the suffering and death of Jesus, but each with a different perspective. View all four Gospels side by side as they tell the passion story. More...

Things to Think About when you watch The Passion of the Christ
This set of questions will help you prepare to watch The Passion of the Christ and later to reflect on what you experienced. More...

View the passion story from the movie The Gospel of John
Another recent film, The Gospel of John, showed the life of Jesus on the big screen. View the passion story from this film online and see how this group of filmmakers depicted the story. More...

Resources on the Web

www.thepassionoutreach.com
Outreach, Inc. offers passion movie-related evangelistic outreach materials for churches that range from posters and bulletin jackets to direct mail impact cards, a DVD all the way to sermon series complete with power point slides.

www.thepassiontoolbox.com
An evangelism-equipping site from Campus Crusade for Christ.

www.the-passion.org
A seeker-sensitive Web site from Campus Crusade for Christ.

www.atstracts.org
Evangelism tracts related to the film.

“The Passion of the Christ” A Reflection Guide to Mel Gibson's Film and Related Resources
Located at www.ncccusa.org
The National Council of the Churches of Churches USA provides this resource to guide you through the story of the passion.

Resources on the Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the Christ
Located at http://www.bc.edu
The Boston College Center for Christian-Jewish Learning offers this set of resources to help understand the passion story.

Facts, Faith, and Film-Making: Jesus’ Passion and Its Portrayal
A Study Guide for Viewers and Reviewers
Located at http://www.bc.edu
The Boston College Center for Christian-Jewish Learning offers this study guide to help understand the passion story and it's impact on Jewish-Christian relations through history.

World Wide Encyclopedia of Christianity
This is part of the Christian Classics Ethereal Library maintained by Calvin College. This specific link to the Encyclopedia provides access to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia, and Torrey's Topical Textbook. All the works are in the public domain. The site allows search by word or name, or browse in the alphabetical index. A search and browse for Pontius Pilate and Mary provided me with entries in several of the above sources for each name. It is user friendly, simple and easy to use.

Teens and 'The Passion'
Located at www.christianitytoday.com
Despite the R rating, many teens (and even younger) have seen The Passion of The Christ. And, judging from the e-mails we're getting, those teens are being deeply moved by the film.

The Ageless Drama of the Passion
Located at www.christianitytoday.com
Mel Gibson's film is actually a 600-year-old medieval art form. Today we find ourselves in a postmodern culture that is swinging back to a reliance on the visual, just as medieval culture was a visual culture. And the emerging church is embracing visual arts in a whole new way.

A Purpose Beyond The Passion
Located at www.christianitytoday.com
5 ways your small groups can turn this movie into ministry

Overcome With "Passion"
Located at www.christianitytoday.com
Why evangelicals need to get smart about movies -- and learn to appreciate them as art.

Passion Small Group Study Guides
Located at www.outreachmarketing.com
Connect visitors to your church through Passion Small Groups and NEW study guides. Choose from 4 different themes all addressing the issues, emotions and facts surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus!

The Passion: Faith Meets Culture
Located at www.daughtersofstpaul.com
The Daughters of St. Paul contribute to the ongoing dialog between faith and culture in the world of entertainment and information communication. This Web site provides resources about the Gospels, Christian life, catechesis, and the film “The Passion of the Christ.” These resources are provided for reflection and discussion.

Study Guide for “The Passion of the Christ”
Located at www.natcath.org
The National Catholic Reporter offers this study guide, which is intended to help teachers, youth group leaders, Bible study leaders and parents organize discussions of “The Passion.” It also contains a brief list of supplementary materials.

'Passion' Is 'Spiritual Masterpiece'
Located at www.beliefnet.com
Generations of believers will see Mel Gibson's 'The Passion' as a classic. But it is strong meat, and not for the fainthearted.

'I Call This a Miracle'
Located at www.beliefnet.com
Thanks to the power of Mel Gibson's film, Christians can see Jesus' suffering like no other generation has.

What African-Americans May See in 'Passion'
Located at www.beliefnet.com
The movie may resonate deeply with blacks, who have, since the slave period, understood Jesus as a victim of state-sponsored terror.

Mel Gibson, Feminist
Located at www.beliefnet.com
The movie could touch a deep spiritual chord with women.

Passion Small Group Study Guides
Located at www.outreachmarketing.com
Connect visitors to your church through Passion Small Groups and NEW study guides. Choose from 4 different themes all addressing the issues, emotions and facts surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus!

A Purpose Beyond “The Passion”
Located at www.christianitytoday.com
This Easter, you and your small-group members will never have a better opportunity to share the life-changing story of Jesus Christ. Those you've invited or those who have attended on their own have seen the heart of Christ through the film; now let them see Christ incarnate through your life in your home. Here are some practical ways that your small group can make the most of The Passion and grow your small-group ministry in the process.

What Mel Missed
Located at www.beliefnet.com
Frederica Mathewes-Green, who writes about early and eastern Christian spirituality, here explains that (unlike “The Passion of the Christ”) there's a reason why the gospels don't dwell on the blood and gore of the crucifixion.

The Latest Temptation of Christians
Located at www.christianitytoday.com
Jewish concerns over "The Passion of the Christ" are based on real fears of anti-Semitism that the church needs to take more seriously.

10 Steps for Every Youth Group
Located at www.acswebnetworks.com
The entertainment industry has captured the hearts and minds of teenagers, and unfortunately Christians have had little to no success competing with the messages of this mega-mind washing business. Until now. This is our chance- and maybe the best one we’ll ever get. So Dare 2 Share has put together a 10-step process that will help ensure maximum effectiveness in using “The Passion of the Christ” to reach the unsaved students in your community.

The Crux of His Story
Located at www.hiscrux.com
A bible study companion from The Navigators to go with the movie “The Passion of the Christ.”

Jews for Jesus on The Passion
Located at www.jewsforjesus.org
Thoughts from a Jewish perspective.

Journey to the Cross
Located at www.youthspecialties.com
Free youth activity for meditating on the events of Jesus’ final days and his resurrection.

What’s A Youth Worker to Do With The Passion?
Located at www.youthspecialties.com
What's a youth worker to do? How often does a film come out that is so integrally related to the core message we are trying to teach this largely biblically-illiterate generation?

“The Passion of the Christ” Film Guides
Located at community.gospelcom.net
Now available through Youth for Christ, a small group curriculum and large group Campus Life Club to help young people understand and discuss “The Passion of the Christ.” The curriculum and Campus Life Club have been written for use by the Youth for Christ ministry family and any others in the church who may find them helpful in sharing Jesus' story.

Join the Passion Prayer Team
Located at www.pray4passion.org
Prayer resources for Protestants and Catholics.

Film Forum: Is “The Passion of the Christ” Good Because It’s Accurate? Is It Accurate?
Located at www.christianitytoday.com
Some varied and alternative Christian perspectives on “The Passion of the Christ.”

Experiencing the Passion of Jesus: A Discussion Guide on History’s Most Important Event
Located at www.amazon.com
This book by Lee Strobel is a study and discussion guide for the movie The Passion of the Christ. The curriculum provides detailed lesson plans and leader's notes for facilitating discussions around six spiritual topics inspired by the movie.

A Guide to the Passion
Located at www.getfed.com
The definitive Catholic resource book for this momentous film. It offers an insightful scene-by-scene analysis from a uniquely Catholic perspective. The 100 answers provide a powerful catechesis that will enrich the moviegoing experience and lead seekers deeper faith in Christ.

Preach the Passion
Located at www.sundaysolutions.com
Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to tie your preaching into this acclaimed film being released on February 25th. Mainstay has developed 'Experience the Passion,' a four-week preaching series centered on the pivotal scripture of the film, Isaiah 53. Each week you'll have four sample sermons from four distinct Christian voices along with creative service ideas and ways to promote the film.

College Student Mobilizer
Located at www.studentshavepassion.com
Coordinate promotional efforts on college campuses.

Help Support the Passion: Free Materials
Located at www.passionmaterials.com
Free movie promotional materials.

How to Use The Passion Tools Effecively
Located at www.passionmaterials.com
It has been said by numerous Christian leaders that this film could be one of the greatest evangelistic tools in modern day history.This site contains suggestions as to how you can make this film as effective as possible in your community.

Journey to the Cross
Located at www.youthspecialties.com
Free activity from Youth Specialities for meditating on the events of Jesus' final days and his resurrection. It details how you can set up an inspiring means to interactively meditate on Jesus' Journey to the Cross.

Bishops’ Committee Issues Collection of Documents on “The Bible, The Jews, and The Death of Jesus”
Located at www.usccb.org
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is publishing a collection of key documents of Catholic teaching on the Church’s relationship to the Jews and its opposition to anti-Semitism. “The Bible, the Jews and the Death of Jesus: A Collection of Catholic Documents” includes the BCEIA’s 1988 “Criteria for the Evaluation of Dramatizations of the Passion.” Other documents include statements on Catholic teaching about the interpretation of Scripture, Catholic understanding and proper presentation of the passion and death of Christ, and the Church’s ongoing condemnation of the sin of anti-Semitism.

More Passion Tools for Church Outreach
Located at www.thepassionoutreach.com
Outreach resources.

Pastor’s Guide to “The Passion of the Christ"
Located at store.wlmag.com
An eight-page helpful guide designed for Pastors to teach and instruct their congregations on the impact and potential issues pertaining to the passion.

The Passion
Located at www.christianbook.com
This visual portrayal of the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus, from Tyndale House Publishers, features gripping photos taken on the set of Mel Gibson's new film, The Passion of the Christ, offering a sweeping overview of the Passion story in powerful images that will enhance the movie experience.

The Passion -- Movie Outreach
Located at www.missionamerica.com
Mission America, a coalition of 80 denominations and 350 parachurch ministries, seeks to “enlist a Passion Summit Convener for each of the 216 major media markets in America to prepare churches for an evangelistic outreach around The Passion of The Christ.”

The Passion Toolbox
Located at www.thepassiontoolbox.com
A large and growing database offering multi-lingual, multi-format Christian resources to share your faith in Christ as it relates to the Mel Gibson movie "The Passion." These resources are provided by many of the top evangelical organizations you trust worldwide.

The Passion Outreach Project
Located at www.passionoutreachproject.com
The Passion Outreach Project offers both video and print elements that lead the youth worker through a four-week curriculum leading up to the movie, a guide to the outreach itself, and a two-week post-outreach curriculum.

Tell A Friend About the Movie
Located at www.thepassion.tv
This site offers you a convenient means of e-mailing your friends with information regarding The Passion of Christ.

Tracts From the American Tract Society
Located at shop.gospelcom.net
Tracts and resources.