In our final week of The Greatest Story Ever Told, we are looking at the books of Acts through Revelation. Acts recounts the birth of the church. Romans through Jude are known as epistles, which are letters written by church leaders to instruct Christians on how to live for Christ. Finally, the last book of the Bible, Revelation, contains prophecies about what life on earth will be like at the second coming of Christ. As we study some of these books of the Bible, we will be encouraged by God's faithfulness to His people in the past and look forward to His future faithfulness to His people during the last days when Christ returns.
The book of Acts talks about the early church. How has being a part of Sagebrush impacted your life?
1. Read Acts 2:43-47. How did the early church live, according to this passage of Scripture?
Acts 2:43-47
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
2. Read Acts 4:17-20 and Acts 4:23-31, a passage of Scripture that takes place when Peter and John were arrested for their faith. Describe the response of Peter, John, and the early church members to growing persecution.
Acts 4:17-20
17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:23-31
23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
3. Read James 1:22-25. Why is obedience vital when it comes to our faith?
James 1:22-25
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
4. Read Revelation 22:1-7. How does this passage of Scripture bring hope when you think about the future?
Revelation 22:1-7
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. 3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. 6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.
5. How can you, as a small group, follow the example of the early church?
6. In what area of your life do you need the same boldness that the early church had when sharing your faith?
7. How does knowing about the end times motivate you to share your faith with the people around you?
Jesus is returning soon! The question we were asked over the weekend was, "Are you ready?" Keeping in mind the truth that Jesus is returning soon, what is one step you can take starting today to prepare? Share that with your group. When everyone is finished, pray together, asking God for the boldness of the early church as you prepare for His return.
The books of Genesis and Revelation are the bookends of Scripture. Genesis is the first book, and Revelation is the last book. Although they were written centuries apart, they contrast each other perfectly in a way that only God could orchestrate. Take some time now to contrast three key teachings in Genesis and Revelation to understand better how the story of Scripture points us straight to Christ.
Light plays a significant role in Scripture. Light always shines through the darkness. Take a moment to see how both Genesis and Revelation teach us about light.
1. Read Genesis 1:1-5 and Revelation 21:22-23.
Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.
Revelation 21:22-23
22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light.
2. Contrast light in Genesis versus light in Revelation.
3. How does Jesus bring light to our world, even now?
4. How is the light that Jesus brings significantly better than the light in Genesis 1?
5. How does the passage of Scripture in Revelation give you hope for the future when Jesus returns?
Both Genesis and Revelation talk about our enemy, Satan. At first, it looked as if Satan and sin had victory and that there was no hope. Of course, with God, there is always hope. The enemy is no match for the power of God.
1. Read Genesis 3:1-7 and Revelation 20:7-10.
Genesis 3:1-7
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
Revelation 20:7-10
7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. 9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them. 10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
2. Contrast the enemy in the book of Genesis versus the enemy in Revelation.
3. What does Revelation 20:7-10 reveal about God and His power?
4. What is the appropriate response to what Revelation 20:7-10 reveals about God’s power?
Both Genesis and Revelation reveal the truth about death, which has infiltrated our world today. Death is painful and heartbreaking. It is a reality for all of us as a result of sin. Praise God, however, that we have hope when we place our faith in Him. Take a look at what we learn about death in both Genesis and Revelation.
1. Read Genesis 3:17-19 and Revelation 21:1-5.
Genesis 3:17-19
17 And to the man he said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. 18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. 19 By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”
Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”
2. Contrast what we learn about death in Genesis versus what we learn about death in Revelation.
3. What do we learn about the power of death versus the power of Jesus?
4. Who do you know who needs to hear this good news from Revelation 21 today?
When we place our faith in Christ, we experience freedom from the enemy and death and live in the light of Christ. One way to explain this good news to the people around us. As a group, watch the Bridge Diagram video here (the segment 4 video). Next, divide into groups of two and practice sharing the Bridge Diagram with each other. The more comfortable you become practicing this diagram, the better prepared you will become to share about Jesus' incredible power that overcame sin and death so that we can experience His light and eternal life with Him one day.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4
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