The Applause of Heaven - Max Lucado [53]
Session 10 • Chapter 18
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward... .
1. According to chapter 18, what is the ultimate joy promised to those who follow Jesus?
2. Describe the happiest homecoming you have ever experienced. Who was there? Why were you (or someone else) coming home? Where had you (or the homecomer) been? Why was this particular experience so happy?
3. According to chapter 18, what biblical images does the Book of Revelation use to describe our "homeland"? What do these biblical pictures say about our future with Christ?
4. What kinds of experiences (personal or second hand) in this world make you "want to go home" to a world made new? How do you picture your heavenly home?
5. What do the Beatitudes tell us about how we receive "the applause of heaven" while still on earth?
6. Read Luke's version of the Beatitudes as given in Luke 6:20-26. How do the two versions differ? Where do they agree? What different perspective does Luke's account give to Jesus' picture of sacred delight?
7. Most of us tend to think of the beatitudes as causeand-effect statements: If you become poor in spirit, then-as a result-you will see God. If you mourn your sins, then you will be comforted. They therefore tend to be thought of as requirements-"rules to live by" that are almost impossible to live up to. For a different perspective, conclude this study by turning the "cause and effect" idea around a bit. Think of all the beatitudes as effects-descriptions of what happens when we accept Christ. If you look at each beatitude this way, the two parts of each beatitude can be seen as two stages or dimensions: the immediate, earthly effect and the ultimate or spiritual effect. With this idea in mind, fill in the chart for each beatitude, using the chapters of this book for a resource. The first is filled in below to give an example.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 1 5
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18