BY: Tim Chilvers
DATE: Sunday 20 November 2022
BIBLE PASSAGES: Read online
Luke Chapter 13, verses 22-30
Luke Chapter 16, verses 19-31
Psalm 49
EXCERPT:
‘Get the hell out of here.’ It’s a phrase that people sometimes say in a fit of rage. But what do we mean? Is there such a thing as ‘hell’ and ‘heaven’. Are they places you go to, or are they outdated concepts from uneducated world? In a world of pain and uncertainty, can we get heaven on earth?
Bible Study Questions
Each week there are TWO different sets of questions for you to use, whether you are exploring the Bible within your Life Group, in other group settings, or simply using them on your own.
A | DISCUSSION STARTERS
These are simple questions to provoke discussion together out of the talk (ideal if you are watching our Sunday Service online with others in your group):
1 | Was there anything that particularly helped you during the talk?
2 | Was there anything that you didn’t necessarily agree with, or found difficult to understand in the talk?
3 | As a result of the talk, what:
a. Changes do you want to see?
b. Truths do you need to remember?
c. Actions do you need to take?
B | QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE
These are questions that are based on the talk and the surrounding themes:
1 | When John Lennon wrote the song ‘Imagine‘ he famously wrote the following words, What do you make of them?
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people
Livin’ for today
2 | Read Psalm 49. The Psalm speaks of the powerlessness of money to prevent death. Which verses particularly strike you and why? What do v5-14 make clear?
3 | What do you think verse 15-20 refer to? How might that change our priorities in life?
4 | Read Luke 13:22-30. What, if anything, might this have to say about eternity and where our trust in life is? Which verses strike you and why?
5 | On Sunday, Tim quoted Joshua Ryan Butler, when he said ‘God’s agenda is to get the hell out of earth….For our world to flourish, there are some harmful powers that must be kept at bay.’ What do you make of the quote? What harmful powers do you think need to be kept at bay, and what are the implications of that happening?
6 | Read Revelation 21:1-5. This is a description of the day of a new heaven and new earth. What strikes you about the description? In a sense, it’s what we all long for – how might this change how we see earth, heaven and hell?
7 | Take some time to pray, asking that God would help you grasp eternity. Pray for your friends who need to know the hope of heaven at the moment.
RESOURCES
VIDEO | Each week we will share a video from the Alpha Film Series (see below). We encourage you to watch this when you meet with your Group; or during your own personal Bible Study time.
BOOK | ‘The Skeleton in God’s closet’ by Joshua Ryan Butler
CHAPTER | ‘Heaven & Earth’ by Joshua Ryan Butler
PODCAST | Kingdom Come from Undeceptions podcast
CHAPTER | ‘How can you believe in Heaven and Hell’ by Rebecca McLaughlin
