MESSAGE TITLE
What is heaven like?
sermon guide
Have someone read 2 Corinthians 4:14, 16-18 and 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.
Paul gave the believers a strategy to keep from losing heart in the midst of the troubles they were enduring.
Knowing that heaven is ahead of us is always a pleasant and comforting thought, but sometimes, when things are especially tough—as it was for Paul and the believers he was writing to—we find that clinging to a clear vision of heaven can keep us from sinking into despair and gives us strength to keep going forward. Are you now or have you ever been in such a situation? Share if you feel comfortable talking about it.
Gene listed some of the things we learn from God’s Word about what heaven is like, and he encouraged us to look to the Holy Spirit to help us imagine and anticipate that place. The Bible describes heaven as:
A place of community, of connection and closeness.
A place of intellectual growth and discovery.
A place with fascinating worlds to explore.
A place of productivity and accomplishment.
A place of joy and laughter.
Have someone read Ephesians 2:6-7.
If you could ask God one question, what would it be?
Revelation 21:3-4 says “…God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (NIV).
What is one thing you will be glad to leave behind?
Looking forward to heaven can be enormously motivating. How does knowing that day is coming affect your sense of urgency to bring the Gospel of hope to the people in your life, so they too can look forward to heaven?
warm up and prayer
Have each person share their prayer requests. Ask someone to type them up and share the list with the group. This week spend time daily praying for your group.
Share the names of people you are praying will say yes to Jesus.
Gene’s prayer:
God, I find myself without words to express my gratitude and praise for that indescribable, inconceivable, unbelievable, inexplicable, incredible place you have prepared for us. We can’t wait to tell you, “Thank you!” face to face. May we live every day with an awareness of what the stakes are for our lives and the people we love. And as we navigate this life, may we never forget that what is seen that get’s so much of our time and energy and attention is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. With our eyes on heaven, with our eyes on the hereafter, we pray in Jesus’ name.