What’s Next? - Lesson 8 - A Reward Called Heaven - Revelation 6-7

Discussion Questions:

1. Tell how heaven is the ultimate fulfillment of history.  How does this give you security?  

2. Why do you suppose God did not do away with the darkness when He created light?  How does that apply to His use of evil in our current world?

3. The level of evil and destruction as the seals are broken leads to wondering who can stand through the wrath of the Lamb.  How are we able to stand?  What does it mean that we are protected but not removed from the suffering?

4. The scene in heaven is one of worship and praise for what God provided His people.  How does knowing this teaching in Revelation 6-7 stir up praise and worship in you?

5. What is your reaction to seeing evil contained?  How does this give you courage to face the challenges in our world today?

What’s Next? - Lesson 7 - A Punishment Called Hell

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you afraid of going to hell? Why, or why not?

2. What do you think of the ideas of universalism (all wind up being saved) and annihilationism (Those who go to hell are completely destroyed)? Can you understand why believing in the loving nature of God has led to these beliefs?
   

3. Why is it inaccurate to say that God sends people to hell? How did the choices of the rich man of Luke 16 naturally lead him to the consequences he faced?
   

4. How does God use hell to bring about feelings of desperation? Why is desperation a good place to be? What benefits come from feeling desperate?
   

5. How does identity play into your eternal future? How would you describe your own identity to someone else?

What's Next? Lesson 6--A Day of Judgment--Amos 4-5 + Revelation 20

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you believe that God’s judgment and wrath are a good thing? Why or why not?

2. What kind of tension do you see between the holiness of God and His desire to save us because of His love for us? What does this teach you about future judgment?

3. How does God’s judgment involve both salvation by faith and grace along with the necessity of good works? Are these two ways of being judged contradictory?

4. How comforting is it to see that the rulebook says we do not have to go to hell? How do Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:41 add to this comfort?

5. What difference does it make that Abraham and Moses were able to change the mind of God when it came to His wrath against the people of Sodom and those who made the golden calf? How does this demonstrate what God said about Himself in Exodus 34:6-7?