INTRODUCTION: How have the continued concerns of the pandemic and the economic shutdown affected you this week?

READ: Luke 23:38-43

DISCUSS
1. What do you think about when you think about heaven?
2. When someone says, “That person is so heavenly minded they’re no earthly good,” what sort of qualities or characteristics do you associate with that “heavenly minded” person?
3. How does your view of heaven transform how you live on Earth?
4. Has the pandemic made you think more or less about heaven than you typically would?
5. Do your unmet desires and longings make you question God’s goodness or remind you that this Earth is not your home?
6. Can you imagine “every chapter being better than the one before?”
7. How does Romans 8.18 make you feel during this pandemic?
8. How do you answer the question Pastor John Piper asks about heaven; (paraphrasing) If heaven had everything you wanted but Jesus was not there, would you be satisfied?

PRAYER

Consider the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6.9-13), particularly noting its mentions of heaven:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

Share one thing you need prayer for today

Take time to pray for one person at a time
Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your time
Listen to the Lord for guidance in how to pray for one another
…and then pray….