Heaven
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matt 6:20-21)
But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
(John 20:31)
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
ACTIVITY
Most people want to live a healthy/balanced life and knowing where we are headed for eternity can directly affect how we live today.
The personal Health Assessment on pages 112-113 in the Appendix is a great starting place for evaluating how you are doing spiritually.
Take a few minutes to individually complete your assessments now. This is not a test and is only intended to help you identify some areas where you would like to grow. You will not be asked to share your results with the group.
Connect/exchange contact info with someone in our group today to share your thoughts with during this study. (Men partner with Men and Women partner with Women)
On page 111 in the Appendix you will find a Personal Health Plan, a chart for keeping track of your spiritual progress throughout this study. In the box that says "WHO are you connecting with spiritually?" write your partners name. In the box that says, "WHAT is your next step for growth?" write one step you would like to take for growth during this study.
( look back at the personal health assessment for ideas)
Session 2: The Present Heaven
These are such important verses!
If you're even a little unsure/not ready for heaven, please discuss this with someone today.
What do you think "treasures" refers to in this passage?
What do you think Jesus meant when he said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart will be also."?
Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
(1 Peter 3:11-14)
What does this passage say about how we should live while we're here on earth?
Please find/read Acts 24:15:
what does this passage tell us about who will be resurrected from the dead?
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. (2Peter 3:13)
Passage for Discussion Notes/Thoughts
The Martyrs for Christ:...called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”
(Rev 6:10)
They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. (Isa 65:23)
For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
(Rom 14:11-12)
And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.
(Rev 6:11)
I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
(Luke 15:7)
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books....Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Rev 2:12,15)
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.
Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
(Phil. 1:22-24)
Let's talk about it!
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
(1 Cor. 15:21-23)
The land area of the city
(New Jerusalem)
described in Revelation would be 2,250,000 sq miles. That would make the city a somewhat larger than 1/2 the size of the United States.
Revelation 21 & 22
1500 miles square
A resurrection is promised to all who belong to Him!
What do you think it will be like to see
God face to face?
What do you think about living on a
New Earth that is also Heaven?
