Coming Up Next. New Studies for Summer 2017 TOPICS SCRIPTURE. Want to use Bible Studies for Life with other age groups?

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1 New Studies for Summer 2017 TOPICS Real Relationships BY ALVIN REID Broken Vessels: How God Uses Imperfect People BY DANIEL IM SCRIPTURE BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE SENIOR ADULTS Coming Up Next Studies from Old and New Testament passages SPRING 2017 LEADER GUIDE RONNIE FLOYD GENERAL EDITOR Want to use Bible Studies for Life with other age groups? Preview Bible Studies for Life for Kids, Students, Young Adults and Senior Adults at BibleStudiesForLife.com. And now, you can choose the Bible translation that appears in your study. CHECK OUT THESE ADDITIONAL STUDY OPTIONS FOR ANY OTHER TIME YOU NEED A BIBLE STUDY. Scripture: Psalms Unit 1: Jesus the Storyteller (Synoptic Gospels) General Editor: Robert Smith Writers: Ed Stetzer and Trevin Wax Unit 2: Jesus the Miracle Worker (Gospels) Writers: Kevin Smith and Vance Pitman GospelProject.com SPRING 2017 LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible Create your own Bible studies in minutes. Choose from 1,200+ text-based and video-enhanced studies on more than 400 topics from all 66 books of the Bible. Visit the website for a free trial. SmallGroup.com SPRING 2017 HCSB Volume 8: Stories and Signs VICTORY IDENTITY: MY LIFE OF FAITH

2 CONTENTS Don t Miss This! A Word from Ronnie Using Bible Studies for Life... 6 The Attributes of Discipleship Article: 5 Ways for Bible Study Groups to Make Great First Impressions.. 14 Victory SUGGESTED FOR THE WEEK OF... Introduction March 5 Session 1 Jesus, Our Victor Article: Sheol, Hades, and Hell March 12 Session 2 Victorious Hope March 19 Session 3 Victory over Sin March 26 Session 4 Victorious Faith April 2 Session 5 Victory over Fear April 9 Session 6 Victory Shared Article: Care for Every Person He Is Risen Introduction April 16 He Is Risen Identity: My Life of Faith. Introduction April 23 Session 1 Life in Christ April 30 Session 2 Life in the Church May 7 Session 3 Life at Home May 14 Session 4 Life at Work May 21 Session 5 Life in the Community Article: Stranger: A Word Study May 28 Session 6 Life on Mission Coming in Summer BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 3

3 Don t miss this! Blog Every week, you ll find helpful add-ons and additional suggestions in our Leader Extra posts. You ll also find teaching tips, links to magazine articles, insights from our editorial team, and sermon outlines to complement every session. BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra Commentary Dig deeper into Scripture with The Herschel Hobbs Commentary. It features in-depth Bible exposition on the passages studied in this book. Social Media Connect with a community of Bible Studies for Life users. Post responses to questions, share teaching ideas, and link to great blog content. Get instant updates about new articles, giveaways, and Ross McLaren wrote the commentary for the Victory sessions. Ross is a retired curriculum editor from LifeWay Christian Resources. He is coauthor of Jeremiah-Lamentations in the Holman Old Testament Commentary series and author of the study notes on Mark s Gospel in the Holman HCSB Study Bible, the Holman KJV Study Bible, and the Holman NKJV Study Bible. Ross founded and leads a multicultural LifeGroup at Brentwood Baptist Church near Nashville. Bryan Beyer authored the commentary for Identity: My Life of Faith. Dr. Beyer is a long-time Bible study writer and serves as Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina. He holds degrees from Colorado State University (B.A.), Denver Seminary (M.Div.), and Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion (Ph.D.). Rick Ezell wrote the commentary for He Is Risen. Rick holds degrees from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He pastors the First Baptist Church of Greer, South Carolina. Rick and his wife, Cindy, have one daughter. Bible Studies for Life: Senior Adults Leader Guide Volume 4, Number 3 Spring 2017 ERIC GEIGER Vice President, Church Resources RONNIE FLOYD General Editor LYNN H. PRYOR Team Leader CHRIS JOHNSON Content Editor KEN BRADDY Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies MICHAEL KELLEY Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Content Editor Bible Studies for Life: KJV Adults Leader Guide One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the web at Printed in the United States of America. Bible Studies for Life: Senior Adults Leader Guide (ISSN: ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay. This Leader Guide is designed for leaders of senior adults ages 70 and up. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter, and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit For ordering or inquiries, visit call (800) , or write LifeWay Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@ lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB ), Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. 4 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

4 A Word from Ronnie Your Bible study group can be such an encouraging place. Your group doesn t meet just to find a way to survive or muddle through another week. You come together to study the Bible, and through God s Word, you discover hope, life, power, and victory! Mike Glenn will take us through a study called Victory, a study that looks at the victory we have in Jesus Christ. Christ gives us victory that goes even beyond the salvation that will take us to heaven one day. That s great in itself, but we ll see that our victory in Christ also touches how we live today. That victory in Christ changes everything, including our identity. Matt Brown will lead your group in a study called Identity: My Life of Faith. Our victory in Christ changes us through and through; even our identity changes in Him. Participate with your group in discussing how your identity in Christ affects your identity who you are at home, work, church, and in your community. We can be thankful that Christ has given us victory and He has changed us and is continually reshaping who we are. Enjoy these studies with your group! General RonnieFloyd.com BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 5

5 USING BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE Invite the Holy Spirit s Guidance Because the Holy Spirit is the guide for your study, invite Him to show you how to be the best facilitator for your group. Read the Bible passage several times with the Holy Spirit showing you its meaning and application. Personal Study Guide Then read the Personal Study Guide. Its content provides the foundation and direction for the Bible discussion and study by your group. Leader Guide Follow the simple directives in the group plan, which will guide you in engaging your group in discussion around the Bible passage. Read the commentary to help you understand the passage. Share insights from the commentary as needed during the group discussion. Leader Pack The optional Leader Pack is designed to enhance the group experience, especially for visual learners. Pull in the Leader Pack items as referenced in the group plan. The Leader Pack also includes a DVD-ROM with: > > JPEG files of the two main study images that you can use with any presentation software (i.e., PowerPoint). Promote the study by placing these images into an announcement slideshow or display the images during the sessions to reinforce the study topic. > > PDF file of each pack item, so you can create multiple posters. During your session, display the image on a screen using any presentation software, or post the image on social media to promote the study. > > Sample Twitter and messages to post prior to your Bible study time in order to raise awareness and promote the session topic. > > An electronic version of the group plans that you can customize and print. > > Leader articles to assist you as you lead your group. > > Biblical Illustrator articles that allow you to go deeper in your study. 6 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

6 Additional Ideas Additional discussion questions and teaching suggestions for leaders are available online at You ll also find all the magazine articles we mention in this study guide. Prepare Your Group Members Encourage your group members to read the Personal Study Guide prior to the group meeting. (Some group members will prefer to read it after the meeting as a way to follow up and reflect.) Encourage them to join the conversation with others on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/BibleStudiesforLife), our blog (BibleStudiesforLife.com), or on Twitter (@BibleMeetsLife). For Those Who Want to Go Deeper The Advanced Bible Study is written for group members who desire more extensive commentary. It includes HCSB-based exposition of each session s Scripture passage, an examination of key words, an introduction to the setting of the passage and biblical life and times, questions to guide the study, and interactive responses to help readers apply God s truths to their lives today. The Herschel Hobbs Commentary is designed specifically for leaders and provides a comprehensive exposition of each session s Scripture passage. Specific attention is called to items in the biblical text that readers would miss without a commentary. This commentary is based on the King James Version but interacts with all major English translations. Each quarter, Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth background information on Bible customs, history, culture, archaeology, and word studies through vivid photography, engaging maps and graphics, and lesson-targeted articles. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to lifeway.com/biblical illustrator or by calling Forty additional articles (in PDF form) that support this quarter s Bible studies are available for $3.00 per bundle at lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 7

7 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS 8 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

8 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 9

9 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS 10 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

10 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 11

11 THE ATTRIBUTES OF DISCIPLESHIP How do you measure discipleship? Research conducted by LifeWay revealed eight factors that are consistently present in the lives of believers who are progressing in their spiritual maturity. These attributes of discipleship form the foundation for the scope and sequence of studies used in Bible Studies for Life. By regularly engaging these studies, your group will experience an intentional plan for discipleship in the following eight ways: Bible Engagement. Transformation can be recognized when our mind is sharpened by the Bible, our perspective is shaped by the Bible, and our actions are directed by the Bible. See page 13 for more details. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Obeying God and Denying Self. Discipleship is the process of obedience to one who is in authority over you. Transformation can be seen when we progressively set aside earthly delights for kingdom priorities. Then he said to them all, If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23). Serving God and Others. Transformation is evident when personal needs and even dreams are set aside for the needs we see in others. And the King will answer them, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matt. 25:40). Sharing Christ. Even as we need to live out the effects of the gospel, maturing believers know speaking about the message is a necessity. Transformation is evident when we talk about the source of it. But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Pet. 3:15). Exercising Faith. Transformation is seen in believers when risk-aversion is set aside and our lives are characterized by faithful obedience to God s will. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:19b-20). Seeking God. Transformation is seen when our desire is to know God more deeply and experience His work more fully. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (Matt. 6:33). Building Relationships. Our faith is personal but it is not intended to be private. Our horizontal relationships should develop just as our vertical relationship with God does. Transformation is occurring when relational maturity is evident in our lives. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:42). Unashamed. Transformation is evident when a believer is unashamed in presenting his or her own life as being aligned with Christ. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). 12 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

12 SERVING GOD AND OTHERS BY PHILIP NATION I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Matt. 25:40). The Christian life is characterized by service. We are called to place our faith in God, who chose to serve sinners. The entirety of Jesus earthly ministry was to serve in such a way that we could be saved. His service on our behalf sets the tone for how we live out our faith. So, just as Jesus said that He had come to serve and not to be served, so must believers. The choice to serve others is just that: a choice. It highlights a maturity of soul that we allow the needs of others to trump our own needs. Serving God shows up in the way we view our resources. Maturing disciples understand we are only managers of the finances and physical resources God has entrusted to us, then it becomes easier to serve God and others with them. Living with the understanding that God owns it all will allow a believer to serve God more fully. It also removes the desire to hoard resources for self and therefore facilitates our service toward other people. All these types of actions reveal that Christians have set values and priorities on needs beyond our own personal lives. It shows our desire for God to be honored by the way we imitate the life of Jesus. Our service to others reveals how we feel about Jesus. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, when we minister to those in need in the world those Jesus called the least of these it is as if we are ministering directly to Him. Therefore, our service should be both structured and spontaneous. Committing to work in ministries over a long period of time in the church keeps us disciplined in working out our faith in Christ. But whenever we see an opportunity to serve the Lord through serving someone in need, we should seize the moment. Transformation is evident when we set aside personal needs and even dreams for the needs we see in others. The Transformational Discipleship Attribute of serving God and others is a place where we plan to act in obedience and rely on the Spirit in faith. The maturing believer will show a willingness to meet needs because they see every act of service to another person as an act of service to God. Maturing believers also will regularly use their spiritual gifts and natural talents to serve other people. Whether we find the needs in our church or in our community, the orientation of our lives should be toward caring for those who need help. Our well-being is important but not to the extent that we ignore other people s needs. To this end, we have discovered that serving regularly through the ministries of a local church is also a sign of a growing Christian. Each congregation has core ministries such as worship and Bible study where we can participate, serve, and lead. The growing Christian finds it a joyful and rewarding task to minister in these areas and others. Options for service exist throughout the church and range from age-graded ministry to children to compassion ministries to the poor in the local community. Philip Nation is the Director of Content Development with LifeWay and serves as the teaching pastor for The Fellowship, a multicampus church in Nashville, Tennessee. His latest book is Habits for Our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us Together, and Send Us Out. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 13

13 5 WAYS FOR BIBLE STUDY GROUPS TO MAKE GREAT FIRST IMPRESSIONS BY KEN BRADDY It s corny but true: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Once made, first, thumb-up-or-down opinions can become lasting impressions. My family and I visited a half-dozen or more churches a few years ago as we sought to find a new church home. Some made better impressions than others. Some were intentional in preparing for guests; others were not. How can a Bible study group put its best foot forward? Here are five simple but needed improvements most groups can make with minimal effort: 14 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

14 Name tags Simple, powerful, and inexpensive, stick-on name tags help everyone in the group say hello as they get to know one another. Name tags put everyone on equal footing and level ground. As a guest, it s uncomfortable when people in the group are able to call each other by name and I am not. Name tags are great equalizers. Empty chairs You need a few empty chairs for guests. I ve visited Bible study groups where I had to wait for someone to bring chairs to the room before I could sit down. When that happens, it communicates the group didn t really expect me to be there. They weren t overly concerned about having guests in the first place and were probably an inward-focused group. Greeters People in the group who are designated as greeters help guests quickly assimilate into the group. Greeters should be outgoing, friendly, and people-oriented. It s their job to introduce guests to a few others, and to sit with the guests during the Bible study and hopefully the worship service as well. Bible study materials Having extra Personal Study Guides available for guests to use (and take home) communicates they were expected, and that they were valued enough by the church and the group to have received the Bible study materials the group members were using. I ve also visited groups with no extra study materials, and it seemed as though everyone in the group knew what was going on (except for me). Declutter When my wife and I sold a home a few years ago, the Realtor told us that we needed to declutter the house. His statement caused a poor reaction on our part! We thought our home looked great as it was. But because he had fresh eyes, we realized in time that he was right. We took out extra furniture and clutter we d become accustomed to seeing, and it made a huge difference in the impression our home made on potential buyers. The same thing is in effect in our classrooms where we meet (assuming your group meets on a church campus!). We can become so accustomed to clutter that we quit seeing it. How many rooms have old posters, picture frames, clocks that don t work, a stain on the carpet, a tear in the fabric of a chair, or a pile of junk in one corner that we turn a blind eye to week after week? Guests quickly notice these things. Decluttering helps groups make a good first impression. If you and your group will begin to do these things, I think you ll find more guests will begin to visit and will find a warm and welcoming place where they ll want to stay for a long time to come! Ken Braddy blogs weekly with great ideas for becoming a better Bible study leader. Follow his blog at kenbraddy.com. He is the manager of Adult Ongoing Bible Studies at LifeWay. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 15

15 16 VICTORY

16 The days of not yet. Those of us who follow Christ live in an uncomfortable reality. God has given us great promises in Christ Jesus, but we ve not yet experienced them all. > > Christ has promised He would return but not yet. > > Jesus will ultimately make everything right but not yet. > > Christ has promised to redeem our lives and welcome us into His glorious kingdom but not yet. As we live in this in between reality of life, it s easy to forget the story God s great story of redemption has a happy ending. Whenever we read the headlines or watch the news on TV, we sometimes wonder how things will turn out. We forget the war already has been won. The future isn t in doubt. We can live in our present circumstances whatever they are with a joyful confidence knowing Christ has already secured our victory. We can have courage in our obedience, enthusiasm in our evangelism, mercy in our forgiveness, and determination in our discipleship. We can live with joy because we have victory. We are confident Jesus will finish what He has started in the whole world and in us. MIKE GLENN Mike Glenn is the senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, a church he has served since He is the author of The Gospel of Yes and Gray Areas: Finding Truth When Life Isn t Black and White. He is married to Jeannie, and they have two adult twin sons. 17

17 GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes GUIDE: The next six sessions we will be discussing the victory that we have through Christ. Invite members to turn to page 3 in the Personal Study Guide (PSG) and review session titles. LEADER PACK: Point to the session titles on Item 1: Victory. DISCUSS: Draw attention to the picture (PSG, p. 12) and ask Question #1: What s one of your favorite ways to celebrate something big? SAY: The hymn Victory in Jesus is a favorite of many Senior Adults. Today s session looks to the future celebration for followers of Jesus. SESSION 1 JESUS, OUR VICTOR The Point Jesus Christ is the victorious Lord of all. The Bible Meets Life You win some, you lose some. We all face many battles in life some more important than others. Sometimes we are victorious, yet at other times we go down in defeat. But no matter what our circumstances are, we can share in the most important victory of all. Jesus has won the ultimate victory over sin and death. We can experience victory in life because Jesus the Lord of all is victorious! The Passage Revelation 1:12-20 The Setting Late in the first century, the Roman emperor Domitian exiled the apostle John to the island of Patmos. While there, John received a revelation from the risen Lord Jesus, who told John to write down the message and send it to seven churches in Asia Minor. The Lord also gave John visions of the events at the end of the age, of Christ s triumphant return, and of the new heaven and new earth. 18 Session 1

18 Revelation 1: Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. 14 The hair of his head was white as wool white as snow and his eyes like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of cascading waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp doubleedged sword came from his mouth, and his face was shining like the sun at full strength. KEY WORDS: Lampstands (v. 12) A stand on which small oil lamps with wicks were placed. Such lampstands had branches to hold several lamps, much like the Jewish menorah. Stars (v. 16) At times stars are linked with angels. God forbade the Hebrews from worshiping the stars, frequently linked to (false) gods and thought to influence human destiny. The glory of Christ reflects His victory. 1 Verses 12-13a. As John turned to see the person whose voice he had heard behind him (vv ), he saw two things. First, he saw seven golden lampstands. Lampstands were first introduced in the Old Testament in the time of Moses when God commanded him to make a seven-branched lampstand, or menorah, of pure gold and place it in the holy place of the tabernacle (Ex. 25:31-40; 26:35). The lampstand represented God s presence in the rebuilt temple of the post-exilic period. Here in the Book of Revelation, the lampstands stood for the churches (Rev. 1:20), which are to be shining lights in the midst of a dark world. 2 The second thing John saw was Jesus, described as one like the Son of Man. He was standing among, or in the midst of, the lampstands (see also Rev. 2:1). The title Son of Man also appears in Daniel 7:13 14 and means far more than Jesus was a human being; rather, it is a messianic STUDY THE BIBLE Revelation 1: minutes READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Revelation 1: GUIDE: Refer group members to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 13), to the author s confession of reading the last page of a book before he starts reading it. Consider times when you may have wanted to know how the story ends at the outset of a journey. SUMMARIZE: Use Key Word and Bible Commentary 1 to provide additional insight to the term lampstands. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 2 on this page and page 20 to give further information about the term Son of Man. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF MARCH 5 19

19 THE POINT Jesus Christ is the victorious Lord of all. GUIDE: Refer group members to the bulleted list on PSG pages of descriptions of the image of Jesus found in verses SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 3 on this page and page 21 to give further explanation and details to the eight details that described the glorified Christ. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 15): How do these verses compare to our typical picture of Jesus? (Alternate: What do the images in these verses communicate about Christ?) designation. Daniel 7 shows the Son of Man is intimately related to the Ancient of Days (God), is with Him in heaven (Dan. 7:9-10,13-14), has established dominion over the final kingdom (v. 14), and is related to God s people in their suffering and deliverance (vv ). That the One John saw appeared like the Son of Man indicates that the glorified Christ is this divine Deliverer. 3 Verse 13b. John next described the glorified Christ in eight details that emphasized His power, glory, and victory. First, He was dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. This imagery is similar to that found in Daniel 10:5. Bible students are of divided opinions as to whether this image is a general reference to the garb of rulers and other high officials or whether the imagery refers to the Jewish high priest s garments (in six of the seven times the robe is mentioned in the Old Testament it refers to the high priest s garments). In John s day, dignitaries wore sashes around their chests to indicate their ranks and wealth, as the golden sash emphasized. Verse 14. Second, the hair of his head was white as wool white as snow, emphasizing the glory of Christ and associating it with that of God the Father. Again, the imagery is similar to that of the Book of Daniel (7:9), where the Ancient of Day s clothing was white as snow and His hair was white like the whitest wool. White hair also represented the general attitude toward the elderly in ancient Near Eastern culture. The person with white hair was viewed with respect, dignity, and honor; white hair also symbolized experience and wisdom (Prov. 16:31). The glorified Christ is full of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). White snow and white wool also symbolized absolute purity (Isa. 1:18; Mark 9:3). Third, John observed that Jesus eyes were like a fiery flame, emphasizing Christ s penetrating vision and His ability to perfectly judge based on it. This description, similar to Daniel 10:6, is referred to in the evaluation of the church at Thyatira (Rev. 2:18) and in the description of the Lord s return (19:12). Verse 15. Fourth, Jesus feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace or like polished bronze. This symbolizes Christ s purity, strength, and glory. The fifth image that impressed itself on John was the victorious Christ s powerful voice like the sound of 20 Session 1

20 cascading waters. John referred to Christ s loud, powerful voice in verse 10 with imagery of Christ s strength and power, and again links Christ to God the Father (Ezek. 1:24; 43:2). Perhaps he likened the sound to a waterfall. Verse 16. Sixth, Christ had seven stars in his right hand. The seven stars are identified in verse 20. The right hand is a symbol of authority and power in the Bible (Ps. 110:1; Matt. 26:64). That the victorious Christ had or held these stars indicates possessing, protecting, and preserving. The victorious Christ is in control of these stars! Seventh, John observed a sharp double-edged sword came from his mouth. This image emphasizes the victorious Christ s judicial authority (Isa. 11:4; 49:2). John also referred to this sword in his description of Christ s second coming (Rev. 19:15). The particular type of sword referred to here (and in 2:12,16; 6:8; 19:15,21) is only mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament in Luke 2:35. It was the large, broad Thracian sword used in cavalry charges (not the short Roman sword, which appears in Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 6:4; 13:10,14). That this sharp double-edged sword came from Jesus mouth pictures the proclamation of judgment. The imagery is applied against the Nicolaitans in the letter to the church at Pergamum (Rev. 2:12 16). Eighth, John noted that Jesus face was shining like the sun at full strength. John s description recalls Jesus at His transfiguration (Matt. 17:2). It also links Christ with God by recalling Moses shining face after his encounter with God on Mount Sinai (Ex. 34:35). The cumulative effect of all of these images was to impress on John that the glory of Christ both reflects and proclaims His victory and authority. Revelation 1: When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, Don t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, but look I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 16): In what ways has God revealed Himself through a worship experience? SUMMARIZE: Use Key Word on page 19 to give initial information on the seven stars. Make the point that we will learn in verse 20 what the stars symbolize. TRANSITION: Not only do we see Jesus power displayed in this vision, but we also are reminded of His presence. STUDY THE BIBLE Revelation 1: minutes READ: Ask a volunteer to read Revelation 1: KEY WORDS: Hades (v. 18) Used to refer both to the grave and to the abode of the dead, the underworld. The Bible makes clear Jesus has power over Hades. 21

21 THE POINT Jesus Christ is the victorious Lord of all. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 17, to John s reaction to this vision and Jesus response. Point out the similarities to past experiences in John s walk with Jesus. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 4 to give further comments about John s response to the heavenly vision. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 5 on this page and page 23 to point out and explain terms of selfidentification that Jesus used in these verses. OPTION: Early in the month of March basketball college basketball teams and their fans are gearing up for March Madness. Encourage members to consider the images of upsets and victories on the basketball court. Guide group members to compare the celebration of victory in the NCAA tournament to that which will be ours when we experience ultimate victory in Jesus. The resurrection of Christ guarantees His victory. 4 Verse 17a. In verse 17, John told his readers his response: when he saw Jesus, John fell at his feet like a dead man. This was a typical reaction in the Bible to an encounter with God or with an angelic messenger from God (Dan. 10:8 9; Ezek. 1:28; 3:23; 9:8; 43:3; 44:4; Acts 26:14). Here, however, John s reaction further emphasized the power, authority, victory, and glory of the risen Christ. John had a similar reaction before the glorified Christ at Jesus transfiguration when they heard the voice of God (Matt. 17:6). Verses 17b-18. Even though John seemed like a dead man, he was aware of the glorified Christ s actions and words. Jesus laid his right hand on John. Again comparing John s experience on Patmos to the events on the mount of transfiguration, the disciples were terrified (Matt. 17:6). We are told during that event, Jesus came up, touched them, and said, Get up; don t be afraid (v. 7). As was the case on the mount of transfiguration, here too the glorified Lord touched John. A couple of ideas are represented by Jesus touch. First was comfort and reassurance. Second, the idea of having hands laid on a person related to commissioning (Acts 6:6; 13:3; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6). Christ was about to commission John not only to write to seven churches in Asia Minor (Rev. 1:11) but to write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this (v. 19). After Jesus touch came the words Don t be afraid. As was previously noted, such fear was a common response on the part of those who encountered God or His angelic messengers, but so too was the comfort offered to those receiving the message (Dan. 10:10 18; Matt. 14:27; Mark 16:6; Luke 1:13,30). 5 Jesus next words were those of self-identification. First, He is God. The words the First and the Last are the same in meaning as those spoken by the Lord God in Revelation 1:8: I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. Furthermore, the title the First and the Last also appears in Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; and 48:12; where it is used of God as Creator and Sovereign. Here in Revelation the title primarily stressed Christ s eternality. Jesus used the title for Himself again when He spoke about His return (22:12 13). In introducing this title, Jesus used the words I am. In Revelation, Jesus used these words five times of Himself 22 Session 1

22 (Rev. 1:8,17,18; 2:23; 22:16). The title I am can be traced back to God s revelation of His divine name to Moses (Ex. 3:14). In Isaiah 48:12, the Lord identified Himself with words similar to Revelation 1:17: I am he; I am the first, I am also the last. Jesus also used the term I am seven times with a predicate in John s Gospel to assert His Deity (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7,11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). Surely the familiar title brought immediate encouragement to the overwhelmed apostle. He again was in the presence of the One he knew so well. Jesus then called Himself the Living One a common title for God in both the Old and New Testaments that sets Him apart from lifeless idols (Josh. 3:10; Ps. 42:2; Hos. 1:10; Acts 14:15; Rom. 9:26). Indeed, the New Testament teaches us that only God has immortal life in Himself (1 Tim. 6:16), and Jesus, as God, also has this life (John 1:4; 5:26; 14:6). These words go far beyond the words of resurrection that follow indeed, they provide the basis for them. Jesus, as God, not only has life in Himself; as the God- Man, He was dead but is alive. Jesus statement goes to the heart of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3 4. In Jesus words, the contrast is not only between dead and alive but also in the tenses of the words used. Was dead is past; am alive is present. Thus this is not merely a reference to His past resurrection but a statement of Christ s present position! That is, was dead refers to a single past occurrence; am alive refers to His continuous state of existence. Indeed, He is alive forever and ever. Death no longer has any claim on Him (Rom. 6:9; Heb. 7:16). He is eternally alive. The resurrection of Christ declares His authority and guarantees His victory! 6 Jesus final description of Himself I hold the keys of death and Hades emphasizes Jesus power over evil and death. This statement is based on the previous ones that stressed who Jesus is and what He has done. Death and Hades are personified in Revelation 6:8 and 20:14. Here death refers to the state of being dead and Hades refers to both the grave and the place of the dead. Keys symbolize authority. In Greek mythology, the Greek gods Hades, Persephone, or Hecate were said to possess the keys to the realm of Hades. But in truth it is the risen, glorified Christ who is the One who truly possesses the keys of such a state and of such a place that is, Jesus is the One who has authority over them. These keys unlock the gates of death (Pss. 9:13; 107:18) and the gates of Sheol (Isa. 38:10) or the gates of Hades (Matt. 16:18). Because Christ holds the keys of death and Hades, He alone can free those held captive by them. The plural keys may hint of Christ s double power to keep believers from death and Hades and to consign and confine the unrepentant to them (compare Matt. 16:19). SUMMARIZE: Use Key Words and Bible Commentary 6 to give further information about the term Hades. Refer group members to Digging Deeper, (PSG, p. 17) which in turn refers them to the article Sheol, Hades and Hell on page 28. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 18): Why is it important for our lives that Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades? (Alternate: What do you find most encouraging in these verses?) TRANSITION: Having experienced the Living Christ, John was now commanded to write these things down so that all of us would be blessed by his amazing encounter. 23

23 THE POINT Jesus Christ is the victorious Lord of all. STUDY THE BIBLE Revelation 1: minutes READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Revelation 1: SAY: In Revelation, many visions and symbols are described. Often the interpretation or explanation is provided, as in this passage where the seven lampstands represent the seven churches and the seven stars are the seven angels of the churches. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 7 to show the significance of Jesus being in the middle of the seven lampstands. Revelation 1: Therefore write what you have seen, what is, and what will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. The church is victorious because Christ is victorious. Verse 19. For the second time, John was commanded to write. It seems best to interpret these words as saying John was to write about the past what you have seen (the vision of Rev. 1); about the present what is (the letters to the seven churches in chapters 2 3); and about the future what will take place after this (the material in the visions of chapters 4 22). Verse 20. Jesus referred to the content of verse 20 as the mystery. The New Testament refers to a mystery several times (Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:3 9; Col. 1:26 27). Biblically, a mystery is a revelation God previously had not made known but now has revealed by special revelation. Such a revelation is necessary because what had remained hidden was beyond natural discovery and could be grasped only by God revealing it. The word rendered mystery is used elsewhere in Revelation (Rev. 10:7; 17:5,7). 7 Jesus explained that the seven stars were the angels of the seven churches. The stars were in Jesus right hand. Jesus words emphasize the risen Lord s control over the churches. The seven golden lampstands represent the seven churches to whom the letters in chapters 2 3 are addressed. In verse 13, Jesus was among the lampstands. This emphasizes Christ s intimate knowledge; sovereignty; and control over, the churches. The risen Lord is present among His churches. Each church s responsibility was to be faithful and to persevere (2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22) something each church could do because Christ Himself has been victorious! The church is victorious because Christ is victorious! 24 Session 1

24 8 As to what the word angels stands for, Bible students have offered many interpretations. Some believe they were spirit beings and that each church has the equivalent of a guardian angel, sometimes referred to as a patron angel. Other interpreters think these angels were the personified spirits of the churches. Support for this view is found in the frequent use of personification in the book (Rev. 7:1; 9:11; 14:18; 16:5). The weakness of this view relates to the problem of double symbolism the stars stand for the angels and the angels stand for the spirits of the churches. Others think the angels were the human leaders of the churches. As one commentator notes, those holding this view suggest that the older meaning of the Greek noun aggelos [also transliterated as angelos] is in view, giving the word no more meaning than messenger. Hence the messenger or angel of the church could refer to another person, a delegate from John, or perhaps even the pastor of the church. Further, in classical Greek the word originally denoted a messenger. 1 Some have questioned the view that the angels were human leaders of the churches, both based on whether individual churches had developed such a single authority figure who was responsible for a church at this early point in church history (holding that a plurality of leadership in local churches seems to have characterized the earliest church, see Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1 13; Titus 1:5 16) and based on the fact that the word angel (angelos) is otherwise only used of spirit beings elsewhere in the Book of Revelation. Those who hold that the angels were human messengers suggest they were bearers of the messages who did not have individual leadership responsibilities over the churches. Epaphroditus served such a function for the church at Philippi (Phil. 2:25; 4:18), as did Epaphras for the church at Colossae (Col. 4:12). Both men carried messages from their churches and helped Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome. The term angelos is also used of human messengers in Matthew 11:10; Luke 7:24; 9:52; and James 2:25. If this is the proper interpretation regarding the identity of the angels, John s vision either informed him of these messengers impending visits or that those already there with him were to return home carrying the letter to their individual churches. That the risen, victorious, glorified Son of Man was among the churches (lampstands, v. 13) and He held the angels or stars of these representative churches in His right hand (vv. 16,20) emphasizes that the church is and only can be victorious because Christ, its Lord, has been and is victorious. Indeed, He is the victorious Lord of all! Jesus is Victor! SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 8 to show the various interpretations for whom the seven angels stand for. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 19, to Mike Glenn s explanation of the seven angels as the seven pastors of the seven churches. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 20): Jesus holds the churches in His hands. How does this truth encourage us? (Alternate: Why do we often live as if Jesus were not yet victorious?) DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity on PSG page Paige Patterson, Revelation, vol. 39 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2012),

25 THE POINT Jesus Christ is the victorious Lord of all. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Jesus Christ is the victorious Lord of all. REVIEW: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 21; see text to the right). Encourage each group member to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. LIVE IT OUT Jesus Christ is Lord. How will that truth impact your life this week? > > Trust. Examine your life for areas where you retain control. Trust Christ to lead you in those areas. Trust Him as Lord. > > Encourage. If you have a friend who is discouraged because of circumstances, pray for this friend. Share what you ve gained from this study and help them see that Jesus is present and has authority over all things. Encourage your friend to trust Christ. > > Stand. Be bold and confident in those places where your faith in Christ is challenged or ridiculed. Regardless of outward appearances, Christ is victorious. WRAP IT UP GUIDE: Emphasize that Jesus is Lord, and He has already won the battle for your future. PRAY: Father, help us to overcome our fears and live in the confidence that You have given us victory through Jesus our Lord. NOTE: Remind members that PSG pages 8-11 are there so that they may keep an ongoing prayer journal of one another s requests. 26 Session 1

26 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/JAMES MCLEMORE/MUSEUM IN QAZRIN, ISRAEL (13/29/11) A frieze of a 4th century A.D. menorah. John had been exiled to the island of Patmos (Rev. 1:9). He was in the Spirit when he heard a voice, as loud and clear as a trumpet (v. 10). He turned to see the voice (v. 12). What John saw first, however, was neither the voice nor its source. He saw seven gold lampstands, and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man (vv ). To understand the precise image John was describing in Revelation, let s look at the Septuagint. Greek-speaking Jews and Christians used the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament. In the Septuagint the word luchnia frequently described the sevenbranched lampstand that had once illumined the tabernacle (see Ex. 25:31-40; 37:17-24). According to John, when he turned to see the source of the voice, he saw not one luchnia but seven luchniai, surrounding a figure who looked like the Son of Man (Rev. 1:13). We can draw at least three implications from John s vision of the seven lampstands and of the Son of Man among them: (1) The churches illustrated the perfect and complete fulfillment of the Jewish faith; (2) God s purpose for His churches is to function as God s presence in a hostile world; and (3) Jesus Christ is uniquely present in the fellowship of His people. The excerpt above is from the article Lampstands in Revelation (Fall 2004), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator. SHARING THE GOOD NEWS Jesus is Victor over all, and we will only experience victory when we place our faith and trust in Him. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 27

27 SHEOL, HADES, AND HELL BY HAL LANE Hell, according to biblical revelation, is the final destination of fallen angels and sinful people who suffer the eternal wrath of a holy God (Matt. 25:41). The purpose of this article is to explain the background of the words translated and/or transliterated hell and Hades in the New Testament. The background of the Old Testament Hebrew word transliterated Sheol will serve as the basis for understanding the New Testament s use of the Greek word Hades, as is in Jesus story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19 31). The word hell comes from a Germanic root meaning to hide or conceal. 1 Hell has become familiar to Bible readers because of its use by early English translations such as Wycliffe (1382), Coverdale (1535), and the King James Version (1611), which translate the Hebrew noun Sheol as hell in the Old Testament. Early English translations 28 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE Above: Burial caves carved out of bedrock along the south slope of the Hinnom Valley ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ KEN TOUCHTON (3/19/10)

28 also used hell to translate the Greek nouns for Hades, Gehenna, and the Greek verb tartaroo (see 2 Pet. 2:4) in the New Testament. A correct understanding of the use of the Greek word Hades in the New Testament begins with a study of the Hebrew word Sheol in the Old Testament. The Hebrew noun Sheol, which occurs 65 times in the Old Testament, 2 was translated grave 31 times, hell 31 times, and pit 3 times in the King James Version. Complicating the modern English reader s task of interpretation is the fact that most people primarily think of hell as referring solely to the final place of torment for lost angels and persons. The Hebrew word Sheol did not uniquely identify the place of eternal punishment indicated by the current meaning of hell. ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ BOB SCHATZ/ ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM, TORONTO (29/13/16) Sheol was a place where the dead descended (Job 11:8; Ezek. 31:15 17). It referred to the realm of all the dead, righteous and unrighteous, as indicated in David s statement, For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell [Sheol]; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption (Ps. 16:10, kjv). Peter quoted this verse in referring to Jesus resurrection (see Acts 2:27), as did Luke in quoting Paul (see 13:35). These passages clearly indicate that Sheol was the equivalent of death or the grave. The Old Testament does use Sheol to point toward a place of punishment for the wicked after death (Job 24:19; Ps. 9:17). However, a more complete Above: Painted ossuary, with rosettes and feet. Designed as a permanent storage for skeletal remains, ossuary usage began in the first century B.C., and continued for about years. revelation of a specific place assigned for the wicked awaited the revelation given through Jesus Christ and the writing of the New Testament canon. For this reason many newer translations, such as the New International Version, do not use hell to translate Sheol or any other Hebrew word in the Old Testament. The Old Testament use of Sheol provides the proper background for understanding the New Testament writers use of the Greek word for Hades. Hades came directly into English as a transliteration of the Greek word. Although Hades has a rich association with Greek mythology, the New Testament reflects a different understanding. Greek thought and literature do not define Hades in the New Testament, but Hebrew thought and the use of Sheol in the Old Testament Scriptures do. Hades translates Sheol most frequently in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament in the second century a.d.). 3 The Greek Hades occurs 11 times in the New Testament. The King James Version translates it hell 10 times and grave 1 time. As in the Old Testament use of Sheol, it refers most often to the grave or death. For the same reasons that modern translators have chosen not to translate Sheol with hell, many have chosen not to translate Hades as hell. The preference of modern translations, such as the New International Version, is to transliterate the Greek word as Hades, or to translate it as grave (Acts 2:27, niv) or depths (Matt. 11:23). Luke 16:23 is the one exception where niv translators chose to translate Hades as hell. We will examine that exception later in our study. Before considering Jesus use of Hades in Luke 16:23, we should first understand the New Testament use of the Greek word geenna (Gehenna). This word occurs 12 times (11 by Jesus Himself, with James 3:6 as the one exception). Each BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 29

29 occurrence refers to a place of punishment and torment after death. The King James and New International Versions translate the word as hell. Gehenna was the Greek designation of the Valley of the sons of Hinnom located south of Jerusalem (Josh. 15:8). It was a place associated with evil, idolatrous practices in the Old Testament including child sacrifice during the reigns of Ahaz (2 Chron. 28:3) and Manasseh (33:6). Gehenna later became a place where people threw bodies of dead animals and criminals to be burned. 4 In rabbinic literature written during the intertestamental period (ca. 400 b.c. to a.d. 1), Gehenna became a designation for the place of eternal punishment and torment of the wicked. The Mishna, reflecting rabbinic thought in the first century a.d., says, How do the disciples of Abraham our father differ from the disciples of Balaam the wicked? The disciples of Abraham our father enjoy this world and inherit the world to come... The disciples of Balaam the wicked inherit Gehenna and go down to the pit of destruction (Mishna, Aboth 5:19). 5 Jesus use of the word Gehenna assures us of the reality of a place called hell where the wicked will spend eternity. It is a place of unquenchable (Mark 9:43) and eternal fire (Matt. 18:8). Although many people currently question the reality of hell, its reality, based on biblical revelation, is undeniable. We cannot understand God s mercy and love without also understanding His holiness and wrath toward sin and sinners. Above: From the Roman period, a marble statue of Hades sitting on a throne with the dog Cerberus beside him. Hades was the Greek god of the underworld who punished wrongdoers. The statue was found in Kapisuyu near Samandagi, Turkey. Gehenna and Hades account for all of the New Testament occurrences of hell with one exception. The New International Version translates the Greek verb tartaroo in 2 Peter 2:4 as sent them to hell ; the King James Version, as cast them down to hell. The reference is to fallen angels whom God judged and who are in chains until a future judgment. The Greek verb literally means to be sent to Tartarus. Tartarus was in Greek mythology a place of punishment lower than Hades. 6 Peter used this vocabulary to warn of a place of punishment for fallen angels and, by implication, sinful people after death. In considering the use of Hades in the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:23, we see that the earthly fortunes and the eternal destinies of these two men were complete opposites. In life the poor man, Lazarus, 30 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

30 had few possessions and the rich man (sometimes mistakenly called Dives because of the Latin word for wealth ) had great riches. At death they were transported to two distinct realms. The poor man went to the side (niv, Greek kolpos, literally chest ) of Abraham indicating that he was saved and in the kingdom of God (Matt. 8:11; Rom. 4:11). The rich man went to hell (literally Hades ), where he was in torment (niv). As Jesus told this story, His listeners likely would have been familiar with rabbinic literature from the intertestamental period that spoke of two compartments in Sheol, one for the righteous and another for the wicked (for instance, Enoch 22:1 14). The question is whether Jesus use of Hades referred to hell (Gehenna) or a temporary place of confinement for the wicked until the great white throne judgment (Rev. 20:11 15). Some Bible interpreters believe that Hades in Luke 16:23 refers to an intermediate state of punishment until a final, future judgment. 7 According to this interpretation the wicked dead go to Hades and the righteous to Paradise at death (23:43; 2 Cor. 12:4; Rev. 2:7). Those who adopt this view stress two important aspects of Hades. First, the punishment is irreversible and no escape is possible (Luke 16:26). Second, it is a place of consciousness, regret, and punishment (vv ). This interpretation states that Christ will return and rule for 1,000 years on earth. Following that reign there will be a final judgment of the wicked dead before the great white throne when they will then be cast into hell (Rev. 20:4, the lake of fire ). Other Bible interpreters equate Hades in Luke 16:23 with Gehenna. We cannot understand God s mercy and love without also understanding His holiness and wrath toward sin and sinners. Regardless of the interpretation though, the important facts revealed about heaven and hell are clear. Those who put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior immediately come into the presence of the Lord at death (23:43). Jesus brings the believer at death to a place prepared for them in the Father s house (John 14:1 6). The lost are transported at death to a place of torment that is eternal. Greek vocabulary words referring to hell in the New Testament are warnings to all people to be saved before it is eternally too late. I 1. Hell in The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 1971), 1: Blue Letter Bible. Dictionary and Word Search for She`owl (Strong s 07585). Blue Letter Bible Apr Available from the Internet: 3. D. K. Innes, Hell in The New Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977), Steven Barabas, Hinnom, Valley of in The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975), 3: Herbert Danby, The Mishna (Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 1974), William F. Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich, A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament (Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1957), Harry Buis, Hades in The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975), 3:7-9. This article by Hal Lane originally appeared in the Winter issue of Biblical Illustrator magazine. Each quarter Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth articles and information that support our weekly Bible study lessons. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to com/biblicalillustrator, by using your church s quarterly literature order form, or by calling BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 31