Weekly Discussion Guide

Pastor Chris talked about the eternal choice facing every human being – to be reconciled with God, or to forever reject his offer of grace. In the final judgment, everyone’s spiritual condition will be evaluated according to works – either his or her own, or the transferred, perfect obedience of Jesus.

MY STORY
If you could create the perfect heaven for yourself, what would it be like? Who would be there to share it with you?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)

According to Pastor Chris, what is the fundamental difference between these two cities: the New Jerusalem & Babylon?

Pastor Chris said, “Followers of Christ die once, and live twice. Those who reject the grace of God live once and die twice.”

What did he mean by that? What is the difference in these two choices, especially in regard to acknowledging and owning up to our sins?

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?
React to the following statement: “Rationalization covers a multitude of sins.”

What is the difference between saying “guilty as charged” and giving excuses for our harmful words and actions?

Why is it so difficult for some people to own up to their actions that are driven by darker motives?

What is it about honest confession that can upset a person’s life narrative where he or she is always the good guy, or the hero?

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?
When Jesus said to a young man “You are not far from the Kingdom” (Mark 12:34), how would you describe the spiritual state of that person? What would have to happen for him to move from “not far” from the Kingdom, to be a member of it?

How does a person know if he or she is being drawn by God to be reconciled with him?

If you’ve not been reconciled with God through Jesus, then repent and believe. (If you’re not sure what that entails, ask a mature believer to walk you through that what it means to experience saving faith.)

If you are a believer, make a list of the sins in your life that you continue to rationalize, justify, or minimize as “no big deal.” Bring those to God in prayer, and own up to the damage those words and behaviors may have caused.

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