Breaking Ground
Share about the last time you learned something new. What did you learn? How did you learn it? Did what you learned surprise you?
The Dig
This Sunday, we began our new series Apocalypse Now, in which we’re exploring what the word apocalypse means in the Bible & how it can speak into our lives today.
Begin by acknowledging that, for some, apocalypse is a charged term that may or may not carry a lot of baggage. With this in mind, discuss your history with this term.
What images, ideas, & stories come to mind when you hear the word apocalypse? Where did these come from & how have they impacted your worldview?
For many, the apocalypse conjures images about the total annihilation of our world, an idea that has been encouraged by both the secular world &, even more so, by specific pockets of the Church. However, as Pastor Mike discussed on Sunday, the term apocalypse does not refer to the annihilation of our world in the Bible. In Greek, the word simply means to uncover or reveal something that was previously hidden &, biblically, it’s used metaphorically to describe a spiritual experience that closely resembles what we’d call an epiphany or moment of clarity.
A biblical apocalypse describes a divine encounter where, through a dream or life experience, God pulls back the curtain of reality & shows someone to see their earthly circumstances from His heavenly perspective; empowering them to see parts of reality that they’d been previously blind. This transcendent experience is then conveyed through symbolism & metaphor (since literal description can’t actually convey this new, cosmic perspective on their reality). As such, though containing promises about the future of God’s story, the primary goal of an apocalyptic experience is to transform us in the present.
How does this change your understanding of the term apocalypse & the purpose of such experiences in the Bible? Why do you think we so often misunderstand this word?
Next, read Matthew 11:25-27. Now read through it again, but this time replace the term “reveal” in verses & 27 with apocalypse (the word in the original Greek).
What do you think Jesus is saying in this passage? How does this help us understand how he understood this term?
How does Jesus apocalypse (or reveal) previously hidden truths about God & our world? How might that turn our vision of ourselves, others, God, & our world upside-down?
Finally, close by reflecting on how this term might apply to your own life.
Have you ever undergone an apocalyptic experience as defined here? That is, have you ever lived while being blind or oblivious to some truth about yourself, others, God, or your world that you were then made aware of? How did this impact you in the moment & after the fact?
Consider where you might need to undergo some change in your worldview or life. What might an apocalypse look like in the area you’ve identified? What might change look like? How can Jesus’ apocalypse & divine example help direct that transformation?
Coming Out of the Hole
Take time to reflect on the Sunday sermon & how this week’s teaching might speak into your daily life.
- Consider the definition of apocalypse that Pastor Mike laid out on Sunday. How is this similar or different to your understanding of this term?
- How does this idea of an apocalyptic or epiphany experience offer us hope in the midst of our present world? How does it both point us towards a better future & push us to focus on how we live here & now?
- Read Matthew 11:25-27. Think about how Jesus’ identity & example might serve to reveal areas in your life where you need to change. Ask God to help empower that change in this next season of your life.
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
The Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham
Binding the Strong Man by C. Myers
The Moral Vision of the New Testament by Richard B. Hays
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, April 14th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series Apocalypse Now!* Please see mye3.org for details.