By Dave Stone
Revelation 16:13
This week the sermon is based upon questions submitted from the congregation. Just for fun…how many “7s” can you find in the questions this week?
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
Toward which end of the “understanding God’s Word” spectrum (“I don’t get any of it” or “I’ve got it pretty much figured out”) do you gravitate? What are the dangers of each?
The danger of “I don’t get any of it” is that it could lead to discouragement and not reading or studying the Scripture at all. The danger of “I’ve got it pretty much figured out” is to read with a prideful, unteachable heart.
What are some of the benefits of God’s Word according to the following Scriptures? Which of these benefits do you need right now and why?
- Psalm 119:9,11, 98 – keeps us from sin, makes us wise
- Proverbs 6:22 – guides us
- Romans 15:4 – gives us hope for the future
- 1 Peter 2:2 – GROW in spiritual maturity
- Add your own (2 Timothy 3:16-17 – training in righteousness)
- Add your own (Hebrews 4:12 – cuts to the heart, life changing)
- Add your own (Psalm 19:8 – rejoices the heart)
For more benefits of God’s Word, see Core Discipleship Curriculum module 1-God’s Word: What is the Bible and How Do I Use It?
What are some of the dangers of “looking at the outside”? How can you avoid “looking at the outside?”
It is dangerous to look at the outside because the “outside” can be deceptive. Consider Jesus, King of Kings, who “on the outside” was born in a manger.
According to the following Scripture, what is the work of the Holy Spirit? Which of these would you like to experience more fully? Why?
- John 14:16 – He is a comforter
- John 16:8 – convicts us of sin
- John 16:12-14 – illuminates the Word of God, gives us understanding and insight
- Romans 8:11 – raises the dead
- Romans 8:15-16 – guarantee of salvation, our assurance of salvation
- Galatians 5:22-23 – produces fruit
- 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 – restrainer
For more on the work of the Holy Spirit, see Core Discipleship Curriculum module 2-God: Who Is He and What’s So Great About Him?
What does it mean that the Holy Spirit restrains (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7)? What will happen when God removes the Holy Spirit? Share a time when the Holy Spirit used you to restrain evil.
The removal of the Holy Spirit is not dealing with God’s omnipresence, but rather has to do with his direct indwelling of believers. When the restrainer is removed it signals the end of the “church age” (that began with Pentecost) in which the Spirit indwells believers.
Think about the John 3 monologue and Brian Welch’s testimony. How did Nicodemus and Brian Welch respond to the truth spoken to them? How can you prepare yourself to speak the truth in opportune moments?
John 19:39 indicates Nicodemus responded with belief.
To whom (unbeliever) in your sphere of influence should you speak truth? Name them and have the group pray for you.
My (Kelli) whole family has been prayed for over the last twenty years and it has been a tremendous blessing for me and my group to see answered prayers. We’ve seen God move in many lives. Keep on praying!
By Dave Stone
Revelation 1:1-3
Time-lines, lists, and charts are included with this week’s online sermon notes.
UPDATE: Next week Pastor Dave will move on to chapter 21–he will not cover the last two points again. If you have questions about the last two points, send them in or text them to 509-713-2751.
RELATE
What question you would like to ask Pastor Dave? How would your small group try to answer it?
REVIEW
Summarize the time-lines Pastor Dave provided regarding prophecy and “that day.”
Illustrations, time-lines, and diagrams from Sunday’s service are available for reference in this week’s online sermon notes.
Daniel 2 describes a statue representing world kingdoms. What are the different materials each section of the statue is made of? Where are we on the statue? What’s the significance of the materials that describe us?
We are the feet of the statue (iron and clay). The significance is that the iron has an appearance of strength, but is weak because of the combination with clay. On Sunday, Pastor Dave believes the iron refers to dictatorships (relatively strong) and the clay represents democracies (relatively weak).
There are a number of pictures related to the number seven. Name seven of them.
See the online sermon notes for reference.
Jesus is unveiled as the lamb and the lion. Describe Jesus as the lamb. Describe Jesus as the lion. Share how you relate to Jesus as both the lamb and the lion.
Jesus came first as a lamb and was slaughtered. Jesus will come again as the lion and will judge righteously and reign forevermore. Use this as an opportunity to find out how your people have been affected by a biblical understanding of who Jesus is (as opposed to how our culture portrays Jesus).
What is the “mystery” (previously unrevealed truth, now revealed by God) that so amazes John in Revelation 17:1-6? What does that symbol stand for?
The mystery that amazes John is the revelation of the prostitute as the “world system” – a series of kings and rulers that will make war against the Lamb. You might discuss with your group how the “world system” carries out it’s war and how we as believers can be prepared to fight it.
How could you be blessed by hearing, reading, and keeping (applying or taking to heart) the book of Revelation? (see Revelation 1:3, 22:7, 16:15)
We are blessed when we live in light of the revelation of who Jesus is: the all-powerful, righteous, king who will one day judge everyone. We are blessed when we know how to interpret the signs of His return.
APPLICATION
As a result of our study of Revelation, have you gained a new perspective or experienced a change of heart that has influenced the way you live? (about Jesus, God the Father, or the end times)
Of all the prophecies we’ve encountered in Revelation, have any of them strengthened your faith in believing the Word of God is accurate in describing God and His plans?
As a group, do you have questions to ask Pastor Dave? You can:
- text your question to 509-713-2751
- submit it via the blog
- email it to Joanne Lueck
- write on your welcome card next week
By Dave Stone
Revelation 20:4-6
Sermon Outline
RELATE
Have you ever shopped for a major purchase (car, major appliance, house, etc.)? What criteria did you use to make a final decision?
REVIEW
Looking back over this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly challenged you, confused you, or caught your attention?
Read Acts 20:32. How does the Word build your “character,” “competency,” and “chemistry” in order to inherit the Kingdom? [Address each 'C']
The Word builds character by revealing problems, judging the heart.
The Word builds competency by giving clear instructions.
The Word builds chemistry by telling us how to relate to God and one another.
What is the millennium, when does it occur, and how is it different from eternity?
The millennium is a 1000 year period when Satan is bound and Jesus reigns. It occurs after the Great Tribulation and before the Great White Throne judgment. The millennium differs from eternity in that it is still bound by time.
APPLICATION
Read Revelation 20:6 and 1 Peter 2:9. Note: these verses show Christ’s followers are priests now and in the future. What are the roles and responsibilities of a priest? To whom are you being a priest?
The roles and responsibilities of a priest include serving God, prayers on behalf of people (intercession), and proclaiming God to people (help them understand Scripture). Perhaps more after hearing the sermon…
Which of the three ‘C’s do you need to focus on now? What specific change do you think you need to make? Can you or your group think of Scripture to help you?
Use this as an opportunity to apply specific Scripture to your life and the lives of your group members.
DIG
Read 1 Corinthians 6. What implications does this have for receiving an inheritance? Consider the possibility that believers can choose to be righteous or unrighteous.
Certain activities indicate that we are not being faithful to the guidelines God has established. Key concept: all believers do not receive the same inheritance. In fact, the biblical use of “inheritance” refers to those who are faithful followers (disciples) of Jesus Christ. How we live our lives as believers has eternal consequences.
What do you discover about inheriting the Kingdom of God from the following passages:
- Matthew 25:31-40 – describes those who will inherit the Kingdom
- 1 Corinthians 15:50 – we need new, imperishable bodies to inherit the Kingdom of God
- Galatians 5:19-21 – describes those that won’t inherit the Kingdom although they may enter it
- Ephesians 5:3-5 – describes those that won’t inherit the Kingdom although they may enter it
Read Acts 20:32. How is the Word able to build us up to have an inheritance?
