Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have everyone share one thing they were thankful for in the week.
- Have everyone share one prayer request.
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q19: Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor?
A: Yes, God reconciles us to himself by a Redeemer. (Isaiah 53:10–11)
A: Yes, God reconciles us to himself by a Redeemer. (Isaiah 53:10–11)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (5 Minutes)
Revelation 21:1–7 (NLT)
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. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
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. 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.”
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.” 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. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
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. 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.”
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.” 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. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- What images and ideas do you think about when you picture heaven?
- What are some of the things that will not be in heaven?
- What excites you about heaven?
- Who will inherit heaven?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
From John 14:1–4
Dear Lord, you have prepared a place for us. I confess that I can get wrapped up in my life and what’s going on here on earth. Please help me focus my heart and mind on you. Teach me to trust and to hope in you. May my anticipation of heaven impact the way I live my life for you today! Come, Lord Jesus. In your name, amen.
Dear Lord, you have prepared a place for us. I confess that I can get wrapped up in my life and what’s going on here on earth. Please help me focus my heart and mind on you. Teach me to trust and to hope in you. May my anticipation of heaven impact the way I live my life for you today! Come, Lord Jesus. In your name, amen.