Leader Guide Week of 12-9-07

Small Group Leaders Guide
December 9, 2007

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It And I Feel Fine
Heaven, Eternity, and other great stuff

Getting Started:

1. What do you look forward to most about experiencing heaven?

Going Deeper:

2. Read Matthew 6:19-21 and Mark 10:21. What is Jesus referring to when He uses the word, “treasure?”

• To provide context for this question, read Matthew 6:1-18. In this passage, Jesus refers to receiving some rewards in full and other rewards not being received.

3. What are some ways in which you have already stored up treasure in heaven rather than on earth? Are there more ways you could do that in your own life now?


4. Revelation 21:27 says that “nothing impure will ever enter it” and that only “those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” will enter it. What is the “it” that is referred to in that verse?

• Some would say that the “it” is heaven. Read the entire chapter 21. Notice how John describes the “it” in verses 9 through 25.

5. In Revelation 22:3 it says there will no longer be any curse. What curse do you think is being referred to?

• Zechariah 14:11 It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.
• Genesis 3:17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it.’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

6. How can Heaven be perfect if all of our loved ones are not there?

• When we arrive in Heaven, we will not have anything to complain about or be saddened by. Revelation 21:4 tells us, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Once we arrive in Heaven, we will be glorified and perfect. Our hearts, attitudes, and thoughts will be completely in agreement with God (1 John 3:2). If some of our loved ones are not in Heaven, we will be in 100% complete agreement that they do not belong there – that they are condemned by their own refusal to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior (John 3:16; John 14:6). It is hard to understand this, but we will not be saddened by the lack of their presence. Our focus should not be on how we can enjoy Heaven without all of our loved ones there, but rather on how we can point our loved ones to faith in Christ – so that they will be there.

7. Suppose you were standing before God right now and He asked you, “Why should I let you into Heaven?” What would you say?

• This is an important question. If asked on the street, many would reply; “because I have been a good person.”
• The only way to get into heaven is through Jesus Christ.
• See the blog post below for more thoughts on this question.

8. Will some people receive crowns on the Day of Judgment? Read Revelation 4:10-11 and discuss what it means to lay your crown before the throne.

• 2Timothy 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
• I can't help thinking that there is something special about the timing of their action. First they lay their crowns before the throne. Then they worship.
  

Putting it into practice:

1) In what way do you think you need to be better prepared for heaven? Pray about that in your groups.


Quote Of The Day
The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.
--Oliver Wendell Holmes