“13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” Heb. 11:13-16
- Effective living sees life right now from a “life-span perspective”
- Why is it helpful to have a “life-span perspective” that views life from: back then, now, next, and the final then?
- Sovereign Foundations: God works providentially through family, environment, and historical events in our lives as a part of us becoming who we are.
- Who were some of the biblical examples Terry referred to when talking about Sovereign Foundations?
- In what ways do we see God’s providence at work in the passage above?
- Think back on Abraham’s life; think back to the promise made. God was not playing games with him…he was developing him into a man of faith. What did that time of development look like? Why was it important?
- Now think of your own life. Can you see God moving the same way through your own life? How so? Do you find this encouraging?
- See your life as the “Already/Not yet.”
- What is meant be the phrase “Already/Not yet?”
- Now think about Abraham’s life, did he receive the promise or not?
- In what way was the promise the, “already/not yet?”
- Why is it important that we look at the Scriptures and the promises of God in our lives as “already/not yet?”
- Why does not seeing the “already/not yet” in Scriptures and in life lead to confusion and disappointment for people? How do we avoid this?
- See yourself as a Foreign National.
- Abraham saw himself as a foreigner. How can it be helpful for you to see yourself (a Christian) as a foreign national?
- What are some of the stumbling blocks we may face.
- Discuss the following tension: Live faithfully in the time and place God has you but do not live like a “local” in terms of embracing the values that are not of your true King.
- Why is it important that we embrace this tension?
- Living as a Foreigner: Abraham lived as a Foreigner. Living as a foreigner means that we resist the desire to want to “go back.”
- What are the traps we should avoid to keep us from wanting to “go back?”
- How does the statement, “glance back, gaze forward” help you to close the gap on faith?
- What is meant by the statement: We all have a now, a next, and a final then?
- What is your “now, next, and ultimate then?”
- When you’re living in the now, how do you keep from losing sight of the ultimate “then?”
- Where are you? Are you focused on the “next?”
- That’s okay, but how can you keep the larger “then” in perspective?
- What can you do today to close the gap on faith and “Hang the pictures and remember you are an exile?” Will you close the gap?