--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OVERCOMERS - Part Three

Overcoming Death  

Leader’s Sheet

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7.45pm-9.30pm

 

WELCOME (15mins): Warmly welcome everyone, introducing newcomers.

                                    Ask each person to talk briefly about an experience they have

                                    Had with death.

 

WORSHIP (30 mins): Ask the worship leader to choose songs on overcoming death…

                                    Eg. Jesus We Celebrate Your Victory, Hallelujah Jesus is Alive,

                                           He is Lord, All Hail King Jesus

 

WORD      (45 mins) : Read through the material together - the facilitator can ask

                                    different individuals to read different sections and relevant

                                    verses. Follow any given instructions.

                                    After each point allow a discussion time asking individuals

                                    to share their own experiences, problems etc.

                                    This should lead to a time of praying for individuals as the Lord  

                                    Leads.

WORKS     (15mins): The last 15 mins are the most importance ones! Take time

                                    Praying for non-believers and people with problems. Pray for any

                                    Church events that are forthcoming (evangelistic or otherwise).

 

==================================================================================

 

 

OVERCOMERS –PART THREE

Overcoming Death

Member’s Sheet

 

Death is our last enemy - Read together 1 Corinthians 15:26.

 

One person read…”Death is both a grim and an uninviting subject. Whilst it is reckoned that 83 people die each minute, because of the very nature of the topic it is hardly ever taken up in serious conversation. In spite of the fact that each person has an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27) most people prefer to remain silent on the issue ,apart from the times when death intrudes into the circle of loved ones and friends.  From “You shall surely die” (Genesis 2:17) to “There shall be no more death” (Revelation 21:4) God’s word provides all we need to know on the subject in order to both be assured with an invincible hope, and also offer life in a dying world.”

 

What is death ? Before teaching the next section ask each person to say what they think death is.

 

The leader should teach the next three sections before facilitating the discussion questions….

 

A.      The Biblical Definition Read together James 2:26 – what does it say death is ?

Read Genesis 2:7 – what are the three stages of man’s creation ?

Each stage refers to one part of TRIPARTITE MAN –

B.       Body – World Conscious part of man (5 senses)

C.       Soul – Self Conscious part of man  - Mind , will and emotions.

D.      Spirit – God Conscious part of man – intuition etc..

 

Biblical illustrations of death…

E.       “Unclothing” (Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-4) – Spirit leaves body as camper leaves a tent.

F.       “Decease” (Read Luke 9:31; 2 Peter 1:15) – An exodus or release.

G.       “Departure” (Read Philippians 1:23) – as a ship departing quayside, raising of the anchor.

              Death is not a cessation of being , but of leaving one environment and passing into another.

H.      Three Aspects of Death

1.       Physical death – separation of spirit from body (Ecclesiastes 12:7; John 19:30; Acts 7:59; Philippians 1:23-24).

2.       Spiritual death – separation of spirit from life of God (Ephesians 2:1,5)

3.       Eternal death – separation of spirit from the presence of God forever (Matthew 25:46)

A summary of death then, would be: “a termination of physical life, by the separation of body and soul. This is not annihilation, nor the cessation of existence, but the severance of the body and soul, resulting in physical death”. The body dies after the soul’s departure, but what of the soul ?

I.         The Immortality of the Soul.

The doctrine of life after death is gradually unfolded in Scripture and it is not until Jesus comes to earth until we have a full revelation on the subject. It was He who “brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10). By the soul being immortal is not meant that man possesses immortality like God, but that in some conscious state the soul will always exist. It is not eternal, because, unlike God, it had a beginning. But it will be everlasting in duration.

 

1.       How and why did death begin ? (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-19)

2.       What were the far-reaching results of Adam’s disobedience ? (Romans 5:12)

3.       What were the far-reaching results of Christ’s death ? ( 1 Corinthians 15:22)

4.       If Jesus “abolished death” (2 Timothy 1:10) why do people still die ?

5.       What does the Bible say about the brevity (shortness) and uncertainty of life ?

6.       “The fear of death can be healthy, but can also be a powerful weapon in Satan’s hand”. Discuss this statement in the context of Hebrews 2:14-15.

 

 

 

 Previous   Main     Next

Copyright 2001 Gibson Productions

E-mail Webmaster (Tim Gibson)