NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the MasterWork curriculum.
Bible Passage: Luke 16:19-31
Discussion Questions:
- Is heaven a place you want to be? Why or why not?
- What questions do you have about heaven? What certainties?
- How much do you think people in heaven know or remember about what happens on earth?
Food for thought:
Curiosity seems to come naturally to us Christians when we ponder what things will be like in heaven: Will there be animals? Will it be one continuous church service? Will we know our spouses/children/family/friends? Will we have jobs? The Bible tells us some about heaven—enough to assure us we want to go there. However, it does not tell us everything we might like to know. We have questions because we just don’t know much about heaven.
But have you ever wondered how much heaven might know about earth? Pastor and author Greg Laurie explores that question in the MasterWork session “What Heaven Knows About Earth,” drawn from his book, “As It Is in Heaven.” Laurie begins by examining the relationship between our memories and our sense of self. Those who lose their memory no longer know who they are. Therefore, those beyond this life, whether in heaven or not, must maintain their memories of past things or cease to be who they were on earth.
Consider the account in Luke 16:19-31. The rich man who had this world’s goods before his death had enough memory to know who poor man Lazarus was, to know Lazarus’s life on earth had been a hard one while his own had been one or ease, and to recall that he had five brothers who were still living. He not only knew the brothers were still alive, he continued to care for them, asking that Lazarus be sent to warn them of the peril they faced. Though Lazarus does not speak in the heavenly scene, “it seems probable, because he is with Abraham, that he hears and understands the entire conversation.” Laurie determines, “I think people in heaven know a lot more about earth than we may realize.”
Laurie wraps up the session with this take away: Prepare now! Prepare to see that you reside along with Abraham and Lazarus rather than keep the rich man company “in torment in Hades” (v. 23). And help those around you prepare so you don’t have to view across the “great chasm” (v. 26) at their predicament.
MasterWork is an ongoing Bible study curriculum based on works from a variety of renowned authors and offers pertinent, practical messages that adults will find uplifting and enriching. The list of authors and their books to be studied in upcoming months can be found at www.lifeway.com/masterwork.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by Lifeway can be found at Lifeway.com/SundaySchool.
