More Like The Real Thing (March 29 - Chapters 23 thru 27)

Below are the questions that you'll use for your small group discussion. Additionally, we'll be taking some time out of this session to have a "white board" group discussion. I'm looking forward to seeing you!!

• This is a repeat question from our first session: How important is "imagination" (based on truth) in forming our understanding of Heaven? Why? (dictionary.com: "the faculty of imagining, or of forming mental images or concepts of what is not actually present to the senses")
• What attributes of the present creation would you like to see on the New Earth? Why?
• In each of the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) describe what your BEST day's activities would include. For example, "During a sunny winter's day, I would curl up in front of a warm, cozy fire with a cup of hot cocoa, and read my favorite type of book."
• When the author talks about the New Jerusalem as the capital city of the New Earth, what do you like and/or dislike about the concept of such a city?
• What do you understand about the purpose of the Tree of Life and its need both in Eden and the New Earth?
• The author, while talking about a first-class upgrade on an airplane, makes reference to the "liabilities of economy class are removed in first class, but the assets aren't" … how does this idea play in your thinking on the transition of God's creation from the "old" to the "new"?
• What is your thinking on the opposing concepts of space and time being non-existent versus its continuation?
• As a group, discuss the varying aspects of the New Heaven/New Earth and the sun, moon, stars, oceans, seas, weather, etc.
• Psalm 37:4 talks about being given the desires of your heart. What desires do you expect to receive and what are the conditions to receive them? Relate them to the New Heaven and New Earth.
• Is there anything else from the chapters this week that you'd like to comment on?

Blessings!!

Revisionist Ruling (March 22 - Chapters 20 thru 22)

Below are the questions that you'll use for your small group discussion. Additionally, we'll be taking some time out of this session to have a "white board" group discussion. I'm looking forward to seeing you!!

• Read Genesis 1. What is the singular "stand out" point of this chapter? Why? (Hint: in some translations it is repeated up to seven times.)
• As a group, create a list of "worldly" things and "earthly" things. Using scripture, how would you describe the difference between them?
• Discuss why "land" is so important in God's creation … read Genesis 12:1-7 as the basis of your discussion.
• Based on Genesis 1:28, describe the role that humanity was created to be. Be flamboyant in your description and discussion.
• How do the words "take charge", "rule", "subdue", "govern", and "authority" play in your imagination about the original creation and the re-creation?
• Where Isaiah 9:7 talks about the "increase of His government", what are your thoughts about an "ever-expanding" universe with new worlds being created?
• The author states (page 218, or page 226 revised) that "we would exercise the creativity, imagination, intellect, and skills" that would manifest God's attributes. Contrasting your current state (sinful, yet being redeemed) and your fully redeemed state, how does what the author states work in your thinking?

Blessings!!

To Be, Or, Not To See … That Is The Question! (March 15 - Chapters 17 thru 19)

Below are the questions that you'll use for your small group discussion. Additionally, we'll be taking some time out of this session to have a "white board" group discussion. I'm getting more excited as we delve further into this topic and begin to press our own personal boundaries, both present and future.

• In the 1871 published book "The Happiness of Heaven", the story is told of a blind, destitute orphan boy being taken in by kindhearted king as his son. At age 20, the boy's sight is returned via surgery. Imagine being blind for 20 years and then receiving sight … describe your personal experience and response.
• Using the concept of "sight restored", describe what it will be like to see God face-to-face?
• Romans 1:20 NLT says "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." As a group, create a list of "invisible qualities" of God. How do these qualities help you personally begin to understand what Heaven, or being present with God, will be like?
• Describe a few hindrances you have that keep you from imagining what seeing God face-to-face will be like. Of these hindrances, what do you need to "own" versus what you can attribute to Satan putting in your way? During your group prayer time, ask God to help you remove and overcome these hindrances.
• What does "worship" mean to you?
• After reading Revelation 5:11-14, discuss as a group what aspects of individual and corporate worship you've enjoyed, not enjoyed, want more of, and want less of.
• Read Hebrews 10:25 and as a group discuss the various ways we meet together and describe what we do when we meet.
• How might the interaction on earth between Christians be the same or different than what will take place in Heaven?

Blessings!!

Hmmm, What's In Store?? (March 8 - Chapters 14 thru 16)

I'm still waiting for direction from God on the course He'd like to take on Monday. Until then, please read through the assigned chapters for this week and be prepared for His plan!!

Blessings!!

Let The Games Begin!! (March 1 - Chapters 11 thru 13)

We'll be changing things up this week … in addition to rotating small group members, we'll be having a little friendly team competition! There will be prizes for each member of the winning team, so let's come prepared to WIN!

Competition Rules:

• Read the chapters for the week as the competition questions will come from the book.
• Alternately, each team will be presented with a question.
• For each correct answer, the team gets 1 point.  The team with the most points wins!
• There will be tie-breaker questions as well and they probably won't be easy. :)
• The prize each member of the winning team will receive is a secret, but it's real.

Blessings!!

Back To The Future (February 22 - Chapters 8 thru 10)

Below is a list of questions for the group sharing time. Generally speaking, you'll have a few minutes to share your thoughts and perspective for each question and still allow others to share theirs.

• The author cites another book phrase "homesick for Eden". Explain your understanding of the connection between what Eden was like before the fall to what Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT states "… He has planted eternity in the human heart …".
• Using the "Three Eras Of Mankind And Earth" chart on pages 82-85, select three sets of "Past | Present | Future" points and share why they strike you as new information that will change your thinking about Heaven.
• Given that the words "restored", "renewed", "redemption" have some similarities in definition, how do you understand and explain the importance of the restoration of the Earth? List other things that will be restored in God's creation. How does the Earth's restoration relate to the restoration of the items on your list? Is there something wrong with the idea of disposing of everything and starting over? Why?
• To the best of your ability, describe what the Garden of Eden was like - include elements of plants, animals, humankind, God, etc. and their interaction. How will the "re-linkage" of Earth and Heaven relate to, and, be like, the Garden of Eden. How will it differ?
• Describe the relationship of the curse on mankind and the resulting curse on the Earth (Genesis 3:17). What have been the effects of the curse upon mankind and his existence? Describe what happens when the bible in Revelation 22:3 says "no more curse"?
• In the book "Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview", the author, Albert Wolters, states "Redemption in Jesus Christ reaches just as far as the fall". Describe what this means to you.
• Imagine yourself at the deathbed of a loved one, how would you answer these two questions when asked: What is Heaven like? How can I know that I'll be going there?

 Blessings!!

This vs That vs The Other (February 15 - Chapters 5 thru 7)

Below is a list of questions ... the first one is a "required" question to share your thinking with the group. Along with it, please select two additional questions, of your choice, for the group sharing time. Generally speaking, you'll have a few minutes for each question to share your thoughts and perspective and still allow others to share theirs.

• Required: How does the author's presentation of the "temporary nature" of the present Heaven differ from what you think Heaven is?
• How does the illustration of your "flight to Santa Barbara" change your understanding of the present Heaven and the eternal Heaven?
• Describe the difference between the "judgment of faith" and the "judgment of works". Upon which are you relying? Why?
• The author coins the term Christoplatonism and defines it as "an unbiblical belief that the spirit realm is good and the material world is bad". How might your thinking be influenced by the concept of Christoplatonism?
• What does giving an "account of your life" using an "improved mind" to receive "eternal rewards" mean to you and how does it change who you are today?
• The author offers thinking about those in Heaven knowing what is going on here on Earth. What are your thoughts about those in Heaven knowing what you're doing? Describe what it would be like to be in Heaven and knowing what is taking place here on Earth.

Blessings!!