Eternal Perspective

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How would you want to be described at the end of your life?

Cultivate

Summary: Having an eternal perspective is about understanding a greater scope of God’s story and how our lives fit into it. A perspective from eternity past to eternity future gives us a clearer context for the significance and shortness of our lives. This “bigger picture” encourages us to focus on our eternal God and prioritize eternal goals over the distractions of this world.

Read Hebrews 1:1-12 and ask the following questions:

1. What do you like about this passage?

2. What do you find uncomfortable or difficult to understand in this passage?

3. What appears to be the main idea emphasized in this passage? (Look for repeated words or ideas.)

Consider how the following passages increase our understanding of this topic:

Read 1 John 2:15-17.

• What does it mean to love the world?
• What will eventually happen to the world and what will happen to those who love God?

Read James 4:13-14.

• How should we view a person’s confidence in what will happen in the near future?
• How should we view the length of our lives in this world?

Read Matthew 5:27-30.

• What value does Jesus place on an eternity with God versus our short lives on earth?
• According to Jesus, what is the fate of those who love the world instead of loving God?

4. What are the beliefs and values promoted in these passages?

5. What do they reveal about our human condition and God’s response?

6. How are these beliefs and values similar or different from those that have influenced you? (such as your family, culture, peers, church, etc.)

7. How might our faith increase and our lives change as we embrace what is true and important?

8. In light of what we’ve discussed, how can we pray for each other right now?

Care

Since we last met, what happened as a result of expressing Christ’s love to others?

How can you, or we, express Christ’s love to others this week?

Here are a few ideas:

• Pray God would meet their deepest needs.
• Help meet a felt need they have.
• Encourage them with a text, note or verbally.
• Give them a thoughtful gift or buy them coffee.
• Invite them to do something fun or meaningful.
• Listen to their story.
• Explore their thoughts on the gospel.