Group Notes | February 21

Stand Strong: The LAST Promise: A New Home
February 21, 2016
 Matt Willmington

Open:

Preparing for a move to a new home, especially one more grand than the one you’ve been living in, can be very exciting. Can you give examples?

Today we finish our series on Standing Strong on the Promises of God. We have looked at various areas of our lives, seeing that victory can be had on all fronts because our hope is not in ourselves, but in the God who made us. His promises never fail. We are going to focus on the end of one’s life on earth, with either a heavenly city or a lake of fire promised as the final move.

 

Discuss

Passed Away

  1. Read Rev. 21:1-8. In the new heaven and new earth, many things we know now will have passed away. What is first?
  2. Read 2 Peter 3:10. How does Peter confirm Rev. 21:1?
  3. A sea has the purpose of separating or dividing geographical areas. Why do you think God would not want seas in the new earth?
  4. Verse 4 tells of more that will have passed away in the New City. What are they?
  5. The city will have no sin in it, therefore those who have rejected God will not be there. Read verse 8. Who will be in the final “home” of those who have rebelled against God?

All Things New

  1. The New Jerusalem will be for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. Read 2 Cor. 5:17 to see when this new life begins.
  2. What were other things God has prepared for you there?

The Dwelling

  1. Who will be dwelling in that new City?
  2. Read John 14:1-4 and feel the anticipation of the greatest promise to believers. What is it?

Close:

How many times have you quoted that passage from John 14, absorbing comfort when times are tough, when grief descends, and life is overwhelming? It is a promise believers stake their lives on. As you break into small groups, share some of the wonders you anticipate as you think of heaven. Is it real to you? Are you so comfortable in your daily life that you’d rather stay here? Think this week of the glories promised believers, and the tragic end awaiting those who reject Jesus! Pray as you leave that God would put someone in your path this week with whom you may share the love of Jesus, that they, too, may look forward to a heavenly home.

Focal Passage: Revelation 21: 1-8.

Home Study: Revelation 21 and 22.

Memory Verse: Revelation 21:3: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.’”

 

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