Breaking Ground
What was your favorite & least favorite class in middle school or high school? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Apocalypse Now as Pastor Scott explored God’s perception of time.
When do you notice the passage of time most? Are there any specific kinds of events, anniversaries, experiences, or activities that bring its passing to your mind in a focused way? If so, why do you think that is?
A central component of a biblical apocalypse is that it invites someone to step outside of humanity’s small, linear perception of time by empowering them to see time & history from God’s cosmic perspective; an experience that then transforms their perspective on both entirely.
With this in mind, read Ezekiel 37:1-14. Here, we find an apocalyptic vision given to the Prophet Ezekiel who, after being told that Israel will be taken into Exile by Babylon, gets empowered to see, in this symbolic vision, that God will, one day far in the future, restore them & lead them back to the Promised Land. This, then, empowers Ezekiel to ground his present circumstances in this much broader & more expansive, redemptive arch of history.
Ultimately, this is but one apocalyptic encounter that reflects a common call in the Scriptures for us to always seek to reframe our lives, experiences, obstacles, & joys in God’s bigger, cosmic perspective of time & history. For example, read 2 Peter 3:8-9, James 4:13-15, & Psalm 90.
What stands out to you the most about these passages? What themes do you find repeated within each when it comes to humanity’s & God’s perceptions of time?
How does God’s perception of time reframe our understanding of our present experiences or circumstances? How does it fill each moment with meaning; while, simultaneously, sobering us by awakening us to recognize the fleeting nature of each?
Many of us struggle to balance action with patient waiting or surrender. How might God’s bigger perspective of time equip us to balance between possessing a healthy sense of urgency & the capacity to patiently wait based upon what’s best in any given situation?
Think about your life in this present season.
Where are you currently struggling the most when it comes to maintaining a healthy perspective about the fleeting nature of a particular life experience or circumstance? How might a flawed or small perception of time be negatively impacting how you think about & engage with what you’ve identified?
How could God’s perception of time change how you think about & engage with that area of your life? What spiritual practices could help you better ground yourself in & surrender to God’s timing in this season?
Coming Out of the Hole
Take time to reflect on the Sunday sermon & how this week’s teaching might speak into your daily life.
- Read 2 Peter 3:8-9, James 4:13-15, & Psalm 90. What stands out to you about these passages? What common themes can you identify?
- Where do you struggle with accepting that some struggle or hardship won’t last forever? Why do you think that is?
- How can viewing the experience that you’ve identified through God’s eyes & perspective of time change how you think about & interact with that part of your life?
- What spiritual practice might you be able to adopt in this next season to grow in your capacity to healthily ground yourself in God’s timing?
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, May 19th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series Apocalypse Now!
* Please see mye3.org for details.