Discussion question: Reflecting back on Genesis 2, what, if you were Adam or Eve, would you wish you had? Discuss why. Context: Genesis 1 and 2 describe the beginning of God’s activity in the world and the origin story of mankind. We are left with no doubt that God is the creator and has made … Continue reading Genesis 3 →

Context: Like Genesis 1; Genesis 2 continues to tell the story of creation with a zoomed in view on the relationship between God and humanity.  Like we saw in Revelation, this is a zoomed in retelling of the story. Again, we need to consider genre.  This is NOT a historiographical account of creation.  Between the … Continue reading Genesis 2 →

As we begin studying these very familiar first 11 chapters of the Bible, people in our groups will have a variety of thoughts in mind, (much like they may have had as we were studying Revelation!). Some will be eager to put forward a pet theory about how Genesis is to be read. Some will … Continue reading CAC Growth Groups 2020 – Resources for the study of Genesis →

As we come to the end of the series on the Book of Revelation it is helpful to recall the historical perspective that lies behind this wonderful book. This is summed up by Paul Barnett in his commentary Revelation: Apocalypse Now and Then at page 153: Revelation leaves us in no doubt: the great end-time … Continue reading REVELATION 22:6 -21 -GROWTH GROUPS DISCUSSION NOTES →

People tend to worry about what the future hold. This applies to the ordinary things of life, but also to that big matter of life itself.  Down the track we know we are going to die (unless Christ returns before); what then?  Religion as a human activity, gives this question a high priority. The Egyptians built tombs. Hindus believe in reincarnation. Many worship their … Continue reading Revelation 21:1-22:5 →

Armageddon and the Thousand years Discussion Question What is your favourite book? (In this study we will see all the books opened that will be used to judge all of humanity and yet there is the Book of Life – this may become our favourite book!) Or Can you think of a story of anti-climax? … Continue reading Revelation 19:19-20:15 →

Context: Having looked at the history of the world repeated through different lenses in chapters 4-17, Revelation 17-18 now looks again at the history of the world through the lens of God’s judgement of evil. Method: Again we are dealing with a large section of text.  I would focus on 17 and 19. Read 17:1-6a … Continue reading Revelation 17-19 Growth Group Leaders notes: →

It’s another case of history repeating Revelation 4 and 5 give us a picture of the heavenly throne room as it has always been – and then the moment where the Lamb opens the seals. Revelation 6-8:5 gives us the first picture of human history and God’s judgement of the world through human tyranny. Our … Continue reading Revelation 8:6-11:19 →

The Seven Seals Discussion Question What is the BIGGEST thing you have ever seen? Have you seen the Grand Canyon? Niagara Falls? The night sky? Ayers Rock? What is the biggest thing that you can imagine? Background (Context) John is being shown a great vision of what is to come (4:1) and is shown a … Continue reading Revelation 6:1-8:5 →

The basic message of this book is that even though Christians may be called upon to suffer terrible persecution in this life, they must remember that they will win in the end because Jesus, described as the Lamb that was slain, defeated evil on the cross and has prepared a place for his faithful people … Continue reading REVELATION 4 AND 5 STUDY GUIDE – THE GREAT VISION OF HEAVEN →

The first thing to note is the distinct change in the pattern of Chapter 3.  3 of the past 4 churches were very ‘mixed reviews’… you do this, but I hold this against you. In chapter 3 we get more clear cut shades – bad, good, bad. 3 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the … Continue reading Revelations 3 Study guide →

An introduction to the book provided by Bruce Ballantine-Jones with discussion questions at the end.