In Class 3 of the "Heaven" series, minister Garrett Bookout teaches on "the resurrection of Jesus" as the foundation and pattern for the future resurrection of believers. He contrasts the common cultural view of heaven as an ethereal, disembodied spirit existence with the biblical emphasis on a "bodily, physical resurrection". Drawing from the Old Testament (bodily resurrection imagery) and especially the New Testament, Bookout shows that what happened to Jesus’ body is what will happen to Christians — our lowly, frail bodies will be transformed into glorious, immortal, physical bodies like Christ’s.

The lesson examines key passages (1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 3, Romans 8) and walks through Gospel resurrection accounts to demonstrate that Jesus’ resurrected body was real flesh and bones: visible, touchable, able to eat real food, and capable of sudden appearance. The class ends with hope-filled application: believers can look forward to a restored, physical existence free from sickness, frailty, and death.

What will our bodies be like in the new heavens and new earth? In this third class of the "Heaven" series, Garrett Bookout explores the resurrection of Jesus and why it is the pattern for every Christian’s future hope. Moving beyond the popular idea of floating spirits in a cloud-like heaven, this lesson demonstrates from Scripture that God intends a bodily resurrection — a transformed but truly physical existence.

You’ll study Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances (eating fish, inviting Thomas to touch His wounds, being embraced by the women), along with powerful Pauline texts that declare our bodies will be made like Christ’s glorious body. Perfect for anyone wanting a deeper, more biblical understanding of the resurrection and eternal life.

I. Introduction & Prayer
- Opening prayer for hope and understanding
- Overview of the series: “What we will be” and “Where we will be”

II. Old Testament Background on Resurrection
- Limited but consistent emphasis on *bodily* resurrection
- Examples: Ezekiel’s dry bones, Isaiah, Daniel — bodies raised from the dust to live again on earth

III. The Centrality of Jesus’ Resurrection
- Revealed in all four Gospels (focus on Luke 24, John 20–21, Matthew 28)
- Christians are raised “in conformity to the risen Christ”

IV. Key Doctrinal Passages
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 – Christ as the “first fruits” of the resurrection harvest
- Adam brought death; Christ brings resurrection life
- Different order: Christ first, then those who belong to Him at His coming
- Philippians 3:20-21 – “He will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body”
- Current bodies are humble/frail/temporary (“tent”)
- Future bodies will be strong, immortal, and glorious
- Romans 8:10-11 – The Spirit who raised Jesus will also give life to *your mortal bodies*

V. What Was Jesus’ Resurrected Body Like? (Gospel Evidence)
- Luke 24:36-43
- Appears suddenly among the disciples
- “See my hands and my feet… Touch me… a spirit does not have flesh and bones”
- Eats broiled fish in front of them
- John 20:24-29 (Doubting Thomas)
- Locked doors, yet Jesus stands among them
- Invites Thomas to touch the nail prints and spear wound
- Tangible, physical proof
- John 21:9-14
- Prepares and eats breakfast with the disciples (third appearance)
- Matthew 28:8-10
- Women grasp His feet and worship Him

VI. Important Observations
- Jesus’ body was "real flesh and bones", not a ghost or purely spiritual entity
- It could eat ordinary food, be touched, and interact physically
- He appeared and disappeared at times (realm/visibility language)
- Scars from crucifixion remained as proof of identity

VII. Conclusion & Application
- Jesus’ resurrection is the model (“first fruits”) for believers
- Our future: flesh-and-bone bodies that are glorified, immortal, and free from weakness
- This hope should produce joy, peace, and longing for eternity with God
- Closing prayer

Main Takeaway:
The New Testament does not teach a disembodied, spirit-only eternity. It promises a bodily resurrection in transformed, glorious physical bodies like the risen Jesus — able to touch, taste, stand, walk, eat, and live eternally in God’s renewed creation.