The Book of Life

Posted by Dave Stone

Revelation 20:11-15

This week, the APPLICATION and DIG sections are combined. Use this as an opportunity to open Bibles in your group.

RELATE

Ever been blindsided — you were involved in something, pretty confident it was headed one way, and it turned out completely different? Share with your group.
Examples: when having a baby, you were told you’d have a girl and you had a boy; Kelli’s first paycheck was significantly lower than she was expecting because of all the taxes taken out; hidden expenses in a remodeling project.

REVIEW

Looking back over this week’s sermon on the Great White Throne and the Book of Life, was there anything that confused or challenged you?

Read II Corinthians 4:4 and Matthew 7:21-23. In these passages, how are people blinded to spiritual realities? From our passage what are the potential consequences of that blindness?

Why are there no rainbows, spirits, thunders, music, etc. around the throne? What are the two adjectives that describe the throne? What are the implications?

Who are “the dead?”  Who is NOT included in this group?

APPLICATION/DIG

Do you think there are some who believe their names are written in the book but are not? How could that happen? Could there be any at Bethel?

What does it mean to be saved (justified)? Read the following verses:

• Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-18, 23, 6:23 – What is the problem?
• Isaiah 53:6, Luke 18:13-14, John 1:12-13, 3:3-7, 14-17, Acts 2:37-38, Romans 5:8. 10:9, 13 – What is the solution? Believing/saving faith is a multifaceted act, not just an act of a simple prayer.
• John 3:15, Acts 2:38, Romans 5:1, 8:1, 8:38-39 – What are the results?

God makes it clear in 1 John 5:13 that he wants us to know we have eternal life. From the verses below, name three things that confirm we have eternal life?

• 1 John 5:9-13 – God’s Word
• Romans 8:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:5 – eternal witness of the Holy Spirit
• Colossians 1:6; 1 John 2:3-6, 1 Thessalonians 1:9 – our changed lives

Considering the two questions above, are you confident your name is written in the Book of Life?