Weekly Discussion Guide

Pastor Matt talked about the alluring woman riding on the back of the Beast in Revelation 17—and all the seductive promises of the world that vie for our attention and engagement. What she represents is not some far-off-into-the-future temptation, but a set of choices we’re asked to make every day, right here in our homes, places of work, and our communities.

MY STORY
Have you ever been conned or duped? If so, tell us what happened.

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” (Revelation 17:3-5)

Who or what did Pastor Matt say this woman represented? What is so shocking about how she is portrayed here?

Why would it be easy for some people to dismiss the repugnant values represented here as having nothing to do with them?

Pastor Matt said ...
“The image of the prostitute is described in salacious ways, but we can’t take our eyes off her. We know we shouldn’t look, but we can’t help it.”

What temptations can come to the surface just watching people who throw caution, and God, to the wind—people who simply give into their unhealthy desires (as a way of life)?

What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what “takeaways” do you think God has revealed to you?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Pastor Chris has told us that “Behind every unhealthy, sinful desire is a legitimate yearning for something good.”

Take a look at these common human desires, and distinguish between their healthy and unhealthy expressions .... and when you’re tempted to cross over. 1

What decisions can you make ahead of time to not cross over from healthy to unhealthy expressions of desire – to stay out of “Babylon” – before you have to make that decision in the heat of the moment?

What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit’s leading, call us to?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Pastor Matt said ...
“The angel takes John and begins to pull back the curtain showing him what Babylon actually is. She promises power, and fame, and comfort, and wealth, and sex. She says come into my city and you’ll be taken care of. Your dreams will be realized. You will be safe. You will know comfort. Honey, I’ll make sure you’re happy. This is her song. She woos us with - life is found in me. This is the offer, this is the promise she makes. And as Jesus is being revealed to us in the book of Revelation, he says don’t get caught up in her ways. She is wooing you away from me.”

“But listen, her promises and allure are all a sham. The hard truth is that just like the snake in the garden, she can make the big promise that life away from God will be luxurious, and exciting, and full of happiness, but in the end she can’t deliver. If you take the bait and choose to live within her city walls, eventually she will turn on you and devour you.”

In what areas of life are you being wooed by the captivating promises of Babylon right here in North Metro Denver?

What are the legitimate yearnings behind those temptations for you?

What specific things do you need to do in order to cling to Christ, and not be pulled away by the empty, seductive promises of the world? Who can help you do this?

What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?