May 23, 2010
Review: Hell matters because…
1. God will do something about Satan and sin.
2. Jesus wants us to know the truth.
3. Our choices, and our life on earth, matters.
Discuss why/how the reality of hell should inspire outreach and evangelism.
Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 and Revelation 4
What do these passages teach us about the afterlife, and in particular heaven? (Feel free to really work these passages over!)
Review: What will NOT be in heaven…
Review: What WILL be in heaven…
Heaven matters because:
It is our hope for the future and our purpose for the present.
Discuss the crowns we might receive in heaven:
The Imperishable or Incorruptible Crown (1 Cor. 9:25-27)
The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8)
The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thes. 2:19-20)
The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4)
The Crown of Life (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10)
The Hope of Heaven:
We will be HOME.
We will be KNOWN.
We will be FOREVER.
We will worship God FACE TO FACE.
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.
~ Numbers 6:24-26
Next Week: “Heaven’s Top Ten List”
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Is Hell For Real?
Series: SO You're Dead...Now What?"
May 16, 2010
Opening:
If you were to bring up the subject of “hell” to friends or co-workers who are not Christ followers, what kinds of reactions might you experience?
What do you imagine heaven and hell will be like?
From what Jesus says, hell is very real and something to be avoided at all costs. So, why is it difficult for many of us to talk about hell?
Read Luke 16:19-31
Explore:
How did Jesus describe the rich man in the story? (16:19)
What does the story tell us about Lazarus? (16:20)
What role did angels play in this story? (16:22)
Where did the angels take Lazarus? (16:22)
What difference did the rich man's wealth make in his eternal destiny? (16:22-23)
What does this parable reveal about heaven and hell? (16:22-31)
What did the rich man see from his place in hell? (16:23)
How did Abraham respond to the request of the rich man? (16:25)
Why did the rich man want Lazarus to go to his father's house on earth? (16:27-28)
What did the rich man think was necessary to convince his brothers to believe? (16:30)
Reflect:
How does this story affect your understanding of the afterlife?
What have you learned from this parable about the eternal value of material possessions?
What things do you think have eternal value?
Discuss:
In the message we explored why hell exists; what hell is like; and who is in hell.
Why doesn’t Satan want you to take hell seriously?
Why does Jesus want you to take hell seriously?
What difference does a biblical understanding of hell make in the life of the Christ follower?
Apply:
In the next few days, how can you demonstrate your thankfulness to the Lord for His provision of eternal life?
How many people like Lazarus do you know who could benefit from your compassion today?
May 16, 2010
Opening:
If you were to bring up the subject of “hell” to friends or co-workers who are not Christ followers, what kinds of reactions might you experience?
What do you imagine heaven and hell will be like?
From what Jesus says, hell is very real and something to be avoided at all costs. So, why is it difficult for many of us to talk about hell?
Read Luke 16:19-31
Explore:
How did Jesus describe the rich man in the story? (16:19)
What does the story tell us about Lazarus? (16:20)
What role did angels play in this story? (16:22)
Where did the angels take Lazarus? (16:22)
What difference did the rich man's wealth make in his eternal destiny? (16:22-23)
What does this parable reveal about heaven and hell? (16:22-31)
What did the rich man see from his place in hell? (16:23)
How did Abraham respond to the request of the rich man? (16:25)
Why did the rich man want Lazarus to go to his father's house on earth? (16:27-28)
What did the rich man think was necessary to convince his brothers to believe? (16:30)
Reflect:
How does this story affect your understanding of the afterlife?
What have you learned from this parable about the eternal value of material possessions?
What things do you think have eternal value?
Discuss:
In the message we explored why hell exists; what hell is like; and who is in hell.
Why doesn’t Satan want you to take hell seriously?
Why does Jesus want you to take hell seriously?
What difference does a biblical understanding of hell make in the life of the Christ follower?
Apply:
In the next few days, how can you demonstrate your thankfulness to the Lord for His provision of eternal life?
How many people like Lazarus do you know who could benefit from your compassion today?
Saturday, May 8, 2010
What Happens When We Die?
Series: So You're Dead...Now What?
“What Happens When We Die?”
May 9, 2010
Opening: Share a memory of a funeral or a recent death that affected you personally.
Read Ecc 7: 4 "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."
• Death is part of life. Why is it so hard for us to talk about it?
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28
Discuss the following points from the message using the chart provided in your bulletin.
1) PHYSICAL DEATH IS INEVITABLE
2) THE SOUL IS ETERNAL
3) JUDGMENT IS IMMANENT
• THE GREAT WHITE THRONE
Revelation 20:11-12, 15
• THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
2 Corinthians 5:10
Read Matthew 25:31-46
Discuss this story
1) How does your belief about eternity affect the way you live today?
(A person’s) work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
2) If you died today and stood at the judgment seat of Christ, when your works and motives are revealed, would you feel good about your life? Why or why not?
3) Since you still have an opportunity to change, what is God showing you to do differently?
WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT DEATH AND ETERNITY WILL DETERMINE HOW YOU LIVE.
Close in prayer
“What Happens When We Die?”
May 9, 2010
Opening: Share a memory of a funeral or a recent death that affected you personally.
Read Ecc 7: 4 "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth."
• Death is part of life. Why is it so hard for us to talk about it?
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28
Discuss the following points from the message using the chart provided in your bulletin.
1) PHYSICAL DEATH IS INEVITABLE
2) THE SOUL IS ETERNAL
3) JUDGMENT IS IMMANENT
• THE GREAT WHITE THRONE
Revelation 20:11-12, 15
• THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST
2 Corinthians 5:10
Read Matthew 25:31-46
Discuss this story
1) How does your belief about eternity affect the way you live today?
(A person’s) work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
2) If you died today and stood at the judgment seat of Christ, when your works and motives are revealed, would you feel good about your life? Why or why not?
3) Since you still have an opportunity to change, what is God showing you to do differently?
WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT DEATH AND ETERNITY WILL DETERMINE HOW YOU LIVE.
Close in prayer
Monday, May 3, 2010
God is Green- So What?
May 2, 2010
Opening: Read Psalm 104 and open with prayer- give thanks for God’s creation.
Review:
That God is green give us REASON…
That we are stewards gives us a ROLE…
That the future is green gives us HOPE…
Green is a virtue that: HONORS God, embraces STEWARDSHIP and considers the FUTURE.
Discuss the following:
1. How do we balance the priorities of the Christian life (worship, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, mission and now stewardship)?
2. How can we use environmental concerns as an opportunity to connect evangelistically with other people?
• Mark 12:30-31
• Micah 6:8
3. What is the one thing you would recommend that all of us need to do/change in order to be more green?
• Genesis 2:2-3
Review/Discuss Pascals Wager and the Green Wager…
Decision: What are you going to change or do as a result of this series and the bible’s teaching? It may be one thing, or several things. The challenge is to put a green ethic into practice immediately.
Closing: Pray for one another and for our series starting May 9, “So You’re Dead…Now What?”
For further study/reference:
The Creation Story: Genesis 1-3 (esp. 1:31)
The Green Psalm: Psalm 104
The Green Hope: Romans 8:19-22
The Green Heaven: Revelation 22:1-6
Opening: Read Psalm 104 and open with prayer- give thanks for God’s creation.
Review:
That God is green give us REASON…
That we are stewards gives us a ROLE…
That the future is green gives us HOPE…
Green is a virtue that: HONORS God, embraces STEWARDSHIP and considers the FUTURE.
Discuss the following:
1. How do we balance the priorities of the Christian life (worship, fellowship, discipleship, evangelism, mission and now stewardship)?
2. How can we use environmental concerns as an opportunity to connect evangelistically with other people?
• Mark 12:30-31
• Micah 6:8
3. What is the one thing you would recommend that all of us need to do/change in order to be more green?
• Genesis 2:2-3
Review/Discuss Pascals Wager and the Green Wager…
Decision: What are you going to change or do as a result of this series and the bible’s teaching? It may be one thing, or several things. The challenge is to put a green ethic into practice immediately.
Closing: Pray for one another and for our series starting May 9, “So You’re Dead…Now What?”
For further study/reference:
The Creation Story: Genesis 1-3 (esp. 1:31)
The Green Psalm: Psalm 104
The Green Hope: Romans 8:19-22
The Green Heaven: Revelation 22:1-6
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