Session Four: The Restoration Of All Things

LOVE IS THE ANSWER...

What is the difference between seeking Salvation and seeking the Kingdom of God?

We have looked at how Adam's choices, and our own as members of his Covenant Household, act to bring Death and Destruction into the World. Furthermore, we have explored the symbolic imagery of a substitutionary sacrifice as God’s way of calling us to trust in Him to set things right and to Restore us to our rightful place in His Covenant Household. This session continues to explore these themes through the imagery of the Kingdom of God / the Kingdom of Heaven (God’s space) re-established on the Earth / in Creation (Our space), and how this is what the Bible refers to as the Salvation that awaits those who fall in love with Jesus and are transformed by that love.

1) WATCH THIS VIDEO & TAKE NOTES:

What stands out you from the video?
What ideas are discussed in the video that are new to you, or interesting to you?
How does the imagery of Kingdom of God reveal the promised restoration of Humanity and the Garden of Eden?

<span class="fr-mk" style="display: none;"> </span>

2) READ & REFLECT: Matthew 6:9-13 / Isaiah 52:6-10 / 1 Peter 1:3-9 / Ephesians 2:1-22 / 1 John 4:1-18

What stands out to you about Jesus’ command in Matthew 6:9-13 to pray for the Kingdom of God to “Come”? Why is this be important?
Why do you think that Salvation in Isaiah 52:6-10 is presented as the end result of the Kingdom of God’s reversal of Israel’s Exile? How does this connect to and expand on, what you have learned during the previous Sessions? How is this definition of the Gospel which brings Salvation, different from other ways you have heard the Gospel defined?
What stands out to you about how 1 Peter 1:3-9 defines Salvation, when read in the light of Isaiah 52:6-10 and in the the previous Sessions’ emphasis on being members of God’s Covenant Household through Jesus Christ?
How does the focus on God’s Love for us in 1 John 4:1-21 and specifically the statement that perfect love takes away fear, bring this entire study full circle, especially in regards to Genesis 2:25 and Romans 5:1-12?

3) ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

What did you learn about yourself in this session?
What did you learn about God in this session?
What questions do you have now, after finishing this session?
What will you do next?