We are in week 2 of our new series, "The Other Side." Last week in our Bible study, we discussed the truth that everyone will stand before God one day and give an account for their lives, for better or for worse. Today in our Bible study, we are going to look at the consequences for those who choose not to place their faith in Christ: an eternity separated from God in hell. Our study today will motivate us to make Christ known to everyone around us.
In what ways does God work today to get the attention of those who are lost so they do not have to spend an eternity apart from Him in eternal punishment?
WATCH SERMON RECAP HERE
1. Read Revelation 21:5-8. Describe the punishment awaiting those who do not place their faith in Christ.
Revelation 21:5-8
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. 8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
2. Read Luke 16:19-31. What was the rich man’s mentality as he faced eternity in hell apart from God?
Luke 16:19-31
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
3. Why did Abraham refuse to send Lazarus to warn the rich man’s family in this passage of Scripture?
4. What lengths has God gone to reach the lost, according to this passage of Scripture?
1. What does the Scripture we studied today teach us about human responsibility when it comes to placing our faith in Christ?
2. How does the Scripture we studied today motivate you to share your faith with the people around you?
3. When it comes to reaching the lost in your life, what places are you going to in order to reach the lost so that they can avoid spending an eternity apart from Christ in hell?
Asking spiritual questions is one way to begin to have conversations about faith with those who are lost. These are questions that remind others that there must be more to life than just simply living for ourselves. Your challenge is to memorize these questions and ask one of these questions to someone who is far from Christ. Next week, share your experience asking these questions. Here are the questions:
In His parable in Luke 16, Jesus taught that God has gone to great lengths to reach every single lost person. Specifically in Luke 16, Jesus taught that God sent the people of Israel Moses and the prophets (people to teach them and the Old Testament Scripture), and He had sent Jesus, who would soon die on the cross for the sins of the world. Still today, God goes to great lengths to reach the lost. Specifically, He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, He sends people to share His good news, and He has given us His word to tell us about the hope offered in Christ.
The hope we have as followers of Christ is that at just the right time, God sent His son to come to earth, live a perfect life, die on the cross for our sins, and rise from the dead. His resurrection changed everything. If we place our faith in Him, He offers freedom from sin and death and eternal life with Him forever.
1. Read Romans 5:6-9.
Romans 5:6-9
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation
2. In your own words, summarize this passage of Scripture.
3. In what way was sending Jesus God’s ultimate rescue attempt?
4. How did Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection bring hope, according to this passage of Scripture?
When someone places their faith in Christ, God gives them the calling to spread His good news to those around them. They are God's messengers whom He uses to tell others about the hope that can be found in Christ. His people are one of the ways that God makes Himself known to the world around us.
1. Read Romans 10:13-15.
Romans 10:13-15
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about the role of people when it comes to sharing their faith?
3. Who is someone who shared the hope of Christ with you? Describe their impact on your life.
4. Who are you currently reaching out to with the hope of Christ?
Of course, God's word to us is one of the primary ways He makes Himself known to us. He did not have to, but He gave us His word so that we can know how to live and about Jesus' death and resurrection. His word teaches us that we have hope amidst our sin and this sinful world if we will place our faith in Him.
1. Read 2nd Timothy 3:15-17.
2nd Timothy 3:15-17
You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2. What does this passage of Scripture teach us about the power of God’s word?
3. How specifically does Scripture give us “the wisdom to receive salvation?”
4. How have you specifically experienced the power of God’s word in your own life?
If we have placed our faith in Christ, we have the responsibility of making Christ known. As a group, commit to memorizing Romans 10:15. Bring this verse to mind every day this week. Let it motivate you to make Christ known every day this week.
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