Life after Life Week Two

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Week of 09.17.17

Community Group Guide

Prior to Group: 1. Read through the plan in its entirety. Personalize the plan for your group and your leadership style. If you have any questions about the material, email Nic Allen or Laura Chapman for additional insight. 2. Choose an icebreaker option and prep materials as necessary. 3. Continue memorizing John 14:1-4, the theme passage for our Life After Life series. 4. Lastly, pray for your group members by name covering any requests that have been shared. Scripture Memory Passage: John 14:1-4 [NIV] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Introductory Thoughts: Regarding high school graduation and that date in the not so distant future when kids matriculate out of the house, Reggie Joiner reminds us how important it is to make the most of every moment. He says: WHEN YOU SEE HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE LEFT, YOU TEND TO DO MORE WITH THE TIME YOU HAVE NOW. Reggie Joiner, Playing for Keeps Our keynote [Kristen Ivey] made similar statements at a recent Making History parenting conference. When moms and dads start to see just how few years, months, and weeks they have left…they are naturally prompted to make the most of the time they have remaining. Time is ultimately a great equalizer. An Men’s Leadership Network [MLN] interview with Scott Lehman offered a similar vantage regarding time. He encouraged the “rocking chair test.” That’s actually the icebreaker for this session so stay tuned. Basically, it’s about living life now in such a way to prepare for eternity and eliminate the possibility of regret. As we continue to focus on heaven, the elephant in the room is how we get there. Last week we noted specifics about heaven being a place. The actual way to get there is the forgiveness of Christ but the vehicle that drives you is [most likely] death. Week two: What actually happens when a believer dies?

Week of 09.17.17

Community Group Guide

Opening Icebreaker: Take the rocking chair test. First, paint the picture. “You are all 95 years old. Your bodies have noticeable wear and tear but considering your age you are remarkably healthy overall. Your mind and memory are still completely in tact. You don't drive any more but you do still live at home and all your needs are met. You are on the porch one morning. No humidity. Beautiful, bright sun. At this point in your life, you really don’t like the cold. It’s brisk enough for a jacket but warm enough for you to be out. Perfect fall weather. You’re admiring the array of colors. Then you start to think. Rocking back and forth, you evaluate the landscape of the last 75 years of adulthood.” Now, here are the questions: Looking back on your life as a strong still healthy 95 year old: • What was missing in your life? • And, what do you regret? Give everyone a moment to think and reflect. Couples may want to quickly confer. Once people have formed a response, take some time to share. Heaven Connection Explain: What you anticipate “regretting” or “missing” later in life is likely an important priority for you now. At least it should be. When we consider the fact that time is fleeting here on earth and that none of us ultimately knows when death will usher in eternity for us, it’s important that we live now in such a way that readies us for what’s forever. Here’s an important bottom line truth about forever. The date you enter it is predetermined. Read Job 14:5 aloud. Ask: What are the three metaphors or phrases within this verse that alert us as readers to the predetermined extent of our lifetime? [answer: days are numbered, decreed number of months, set limits cannot exceed] In the NASB [New American Standard Bible], the first clause of Job 14:5 reads, “Since his days are determined.” The Hebrew language is vocabulary poor. There are far fewer Hebrew words than Latin or English words. Hebrew words pull double duty [often more] and mean multiple things. The Hebrew word for numbered or determined is also a Hebrew word for decreed. Any reference to a decree in scripture highlights royalty. Everyday ordinary Jews can’t make decrees. That’s the role and right of a king. And when a king makes a decree, it’s a done deal. In the case of Job 14:5, God has done the “decreeing.” He’s made the determination. Discuss: Is it hard for you to reconcile the truth that God not only knows, but has determined, the number of days you will live on this earth? Why so or why not?

Week of 09.17.17

Community Group Guide

[Leaders: This is a moment that will require sensitivity on your part. Anyone in your group who has experienced a sudden or untimely loss as well as those who have lost loved ones recently can be vulnerable to their emotions in this discussion. Allow space for participants to share but watch for the cue when it’s time to move on] God has determined the number of days each of us will live. Maybe it’s to a ripe old age but what if it’s [in our opinion] far too soon? The key understanding here is that God has chosen our life-spans. He alone knows if we will be around when Christ returns or if death will usher us to His side first. Bottom Line: Length of life on earth is limited and predetermined by Holy God. Transition We are to certainly be on the lookout for end-times-warnings, but an easier route may just be living under the assumption that each day could in fact be your last. Discuss: What does the idea of living each day like it’s your last cause you to think, feel, or do? Scripture Study Pose the question: what do you think happens to a person when they die? We know that organs and physical bodies eventually and completely shut down. What about the rest of us…our soul…or the essence of us? Share your thoughts. The Bible gives us lots of clues about death. In a sense, we touched on a couple of them last week. This week, we’re going to engage in a discussion on what happens and when based on verses in scripture. We can’t talk about heaven without knowing how to get there. That’s the reconciliation we have with God through the forgiveness of our sin by the blood sacrifice of Jesus. Beyond the map, we also know there is a mode of transport that will take us there. For many or most of us, it will be physical death. Having discussed and shared thoughts we have about what exactly happens in death, let’s take time to engage scripture. As a group, divide and read the following passages. Discuss [for as long and as deeply as you would like] the accompanying question[s] for each selection. • • •

Romans 5:12 • Where did death come from? • Why did death come? Philippians 1:21-23 • How did Paul regard death? • How should believers feel about death and dying? Luke 23:43 • According to Jesus, when does a believer arrive in heaven following death?

Week of 09.17.17 •

Community Group Guide

Does this seem to leave any allowance for an intermediate state between death on earth and life in eternity?

Discussion sidebar: Not based [necessarily] on these verses so far, answer this. Why do you think some might desire to believe or even be desperate to believe in an intermediate period between death and eternity? Continue with the following passages: •

• • •

Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:46 • What happens to our physical bodies at death? • What happens to a soul or spirit at death? • How does Jesus’ death [described in Luke 23:46] support that understanding of body and spirit at death? Hebrews 9:27-28 • What can we be certain of when we die? • According to this verse, is there an additional opportunity for repentance following death? 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 • Will our bodies and souls remain disconnected forever? 1 Corinthians 15:51-56 • Is death the end? • What is unique about our resurrected, immortal bodies?

Death really is a transition. Although we cannot possibly know when it will come or what experience it will involve, we can know what happens after it. The bible is speaks equally clearly about those who die in Christ and those who die without Him in their lives. Close by reading Luke 16:19-31 Discuss: • What clues does this story from Jesus provide about what happens after death consumes us? Leader, read or summarize the following for your group: Go back fro a moment to the rocking chair test. It’s easily assumed from this passage that both Lazarus and the rich man were aware of their lives lived on earth during their eternal state. The distress the rich man experienced wasn’t only for his own torment, but also remorse from those in his family who were heading in the same direction. Is that part of your pending story? Is there a disconnect between you and God? Is there a question mark about your eternal destiny? Know this. Salvation isn’t something we earn nor is it anything we could ever afford. It is the gracious gift of God. Through repenting [recognizing your sin nature and determining your need for forgiveness] you can turn to Christ and experience the gift of eternal life. Hopefully your rocking chair regret isn’t your own eternal security in heaven with Jesus. Is it thoughts and fears for those you love? Is it the missed opportunities you've let go when you knew God was directing you to have a spiritual conversation or share the love of Jesus?

Week of 09.17.17

Community Group Guide

Death is certain and uncertain. We know it’s coming. We just have no idea when. Living like you were dying is far more than a Tim McGraw song. It’s actually a state of living for eternity even now in the present. Read Paul’s words in Philippians 1:22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Paul would have certainly chosen death sooner because that meant union with Christ. However, he understood the unique value of remaining alive. It would be in his constant labor for the gospel, leaving no room for later-in-life regret. Final discussion: Name some specifics. What are the [conversations, interactions, endeavors, moments, reconciliations, ideas, missions, opportunities] God is calling you to labor in for His glory for as long as He has determined to leave you here before calling you home? What do you plan to do about them? Closing Prayer Follow your typical plan for closing prayer requests but also include the following time of supplication. • Thank God for determining your days and giving you a purpose for which to live them. • Ask for divine direction. • Ask God for opportunities and the wisdom and boldness to seize them. • Pray for those you know who are far from Christ. Ask God to soften the hearts of the “Lazarus’s” in your life who need to hear and respond to Jesus before it becomes too late. • Ask God to continue teaching you to value and long for heaven in God’s perfect time, even though it means understanding that death in this life as the avenue that will take you there.