livingtheword

Discussion Guide: New Heaven and New Earth 

Acts 14:21-27; Rev 21:1-5a; Gospel Jn13:31-33a, 34-35

Reflection Questions

• Paul and Barnabas traveled great distances, endured resistance and persecution and spent years away from their home base of Antioch.
On finishing their journey they returned back through the various towns – even those that persecuted them! What does this teach you
about Paul and Barnabas?  What would their missionary journey look like in your world, office or workplace?

• Paul and Barnabas broke centuries old prejudices of considering God only loved the Jews. His chosen. Going to the Gentiles was an
enormous change.  To put this into  context, if a Jew married a Gentile in Jesus’ time the Jewish family would conduct a public funeral to
say to everyone that you were now dead to the family. Gentiles were considered intrinsically unclean. Strict Jews believed they were defiled by being with Gentiles. Which group of people today are considered outcasts, sinners, beyond God’s love? Could you be a missionary to them? What might need to change in you? In the Church?

• The Book of Revelation gives us the final seventh vision. Although Jerusalem had been destroyed and Christians were being severely
persecuted a vision is seen of what will come true. Can you look at the Church today – in its current struggles – and see the bride (church) adorned for her husband (Christ) and God’s presence ever- dwelling in the Church in the Eucharist and the Word?

• In John’s gospel the moment of Jesus dying on the cross is not simply a place of suffering. The word Glory is used 5 times in todays gospel. It is Jesus being lifted up like a winning coach on the shoulders of the winning sports team. It is a moment of victory. Glorious! When you look at the cross, do you see only suffering? Can you see why it is also glorious?

• Jesus gives a commandment to his disciples which is new. While the Old Testament encouraged Jews to love their neighbour, it was
interpreted within the boundaries of your inner circle of family. Jesus tells his disciples the love his followers are to show is to be qualitatively different. A self sacrificing love to all like his own love on the cross. A love to outsiders not simply insiders. Would people see in your lifestyle and love style something different? Can you identify a lived action where you lived and showed Christ recently?

• What is one action that you will do to be ‘livingtheword’ this week?