His Grace Revealed in Jesus Christ.

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Grace Revealed in Jesus -JF PWRPNT LD & BD.ppt

THOUGHT QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION

Sermon topic: Heaven My Home

John 14:1-6; 2 Cor. 5:1-10

Bobby Deason

July 5, 2009

1. Consider these two tantalizing examples of men taken to heaven – Gen. 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11. What questions would you like to know the answers to from these texts?
2. What is heaven? Where is heaven? What bible book mentions heaven most often?
3. Here are some Scriptures for you to think about: 2 Tim. 4:6-8; John 14:1-6; I Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Thess. 7-10; 2 Cor. 4:16-5:10; Phil. 3:10-21; 2 Cor. 12:1-4.
4. Jesus has made heaven available for us. He is the gate to heaven, talk about this interesting concept (John 1:51).
5. Heaven is a PROMISED PLACE – to be the believer’s eternal destiny – John 14:1-6. How do you feel about going to heaven, do you desire? Would you like to go today? If heaven is our home, should we feel “homesick” (groaning) while we are away? (2 Cor. 5:1-9)
6. Heaven is a PREPARED PLACE for the disciples’ of Christ, John 14:1-6. Did Jesus’ disciples expect to go to heaven? Jesus assures them of it, and would have corrected the notion if it wasn’t true – wouldn’t He? Is heaven just “pie in the sky” as some critics suggest to us today? What have people said to you about your belief in eternal life in heaven?
7. Heaven is a PRIVILEGED PLACE for those who love God, Rom. 8:28-39; I John 3:1-4.
   1. Privileged people in our world usually have/get___________________?
   2. How does it make you feel when you are enjoying privileged status at some event, gathering, etc?
   3. For those in Christ, Heaven is called home. Talk about the privileges of Home? Family members have privileges that non-family members don’t have.
   4. Not just anyone can get into Heaven. Talk about how to get there? The little boy in our lesson today thought he had the answer. Some people we talk with have similar untrue ideas. What have you heard others say about getting to heaven?
   5. Discuss the illustration My Favorite Pearly Gate Story. (Point system or by grace)
   6. Heaven is a PERMANENT PLACE, I Thess. 4:18.
      1. The word for “rooms” or “mansions” in John 14:3, 23 can be translated “resting places,” or “abodes,” or “permanent dwelling places.”
      2. How did Paul feel about this, Phil. 1:21; 3:20-21?
      3. Here is how he felt about it also, Phil. 3:10-16. Are we also “this one thing I do” focused?
      4. How permanent is anything that you can see. Look around, 2 Cor. 4:16-18.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints,” Psa. 116:15.

Pray for insight, understanding, and application

Ask yourself:
With what attitudes should I approach fasting?

What changes does God want to make in my life?

How should it affect my attitude and actions toward others?

What are some of the blessings from God from such fasting that pleases God?

How could keeping a “Sabbath day fast,” strengthen, deepen and help to sustain
my relationship with God?

Everyday, journal a few thoughts, insights you have
How have your thoughts changed or deepened?

What action or service have you undertaken as a result of such thoughts?

Be prepared to share some of your thoughts!

How could “fasting” move you along in your relationship with God to be “spiritually transformed”?

Meeting Schedule

• April 29
• May 6,13,20,27
• June 3
• July 1,8,29
• August 5,12