Midweek Event the God Who Makes All Things New // Session 11 // Seven Words for Seven Churches

MIDWEEK EVENT THE GOD WHO MAKES ALL THINGS NEW // SESSION 11 // SEVEN WORDS FOR SEVEN CHURCHES

This midweek study will explore the biblical teaching of the bride of Christ. Use the following outline, activity, playlist, and video idea to lead a midweek event for your students.

Essential Doctrine: Bride of Christ The church is described as the bride of Christ, faithfully waiting for the day when Christ will return and heaven and earth will be one. Made up of all believers from all tongues and nations, the church is the bride that Christ redeemed. The picture of a bride also speaks to the permanence of Christ’s relationship with the church, for marriage was intended by God to be a lasting covenant between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5).

Scripture: Mark 2:19-20; John 3:29; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:31-32; Revelation 19:1-3,6-9; 21:9-10

The entirety of the church across history Place students into groups, with each group producing 1 and geography composes the bride of Christ an episode. Ask them to create a skit or series of drawings (Mark 2:19-20; John 3:29; Eph. 5:31-32; Rev. 21:9-10). (storyboards) for the show. They may make up the story as they wish: It could be the bride shopping for her dress, the couple on a Jesus referred to Himself as a groom in Mark 2, and John the date, or the couple writing to each other while they’re apart on a Baptist referred to Jesus the same way in John 3:29. However, trip—the sky’s the limit. Jesus’ bride wasn’t immediately clear in those verses. Paul later revealed the mystery that marriage, as shown in Genesis 2:24, Allow time for them to prepare their skits/storyboards, then is actually about Christ and the church—the church is Christ’s let them share. bride (Eph. 5:31-32). The apostle John confirmed Paul’s revelation Then ask the following:What common themes did you see? when he described how the New Jerusalem (symbolizing the How does the bride act differently from a single woman? What kind church) is the bride of the Lamb (Rev. 21:9-10). of focus does each person in the couple have? How do these elements show up in Christ’s bride, the church? As a bride remains pure and faithful to her fiancé, 2 so also the bride of Christ seeks to remain pure Worship/Playlist Ideas to Him (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:1-3,6-9). YY“Heal Our Land” by Kari Jobe An engaged woman keeps herself for her husband. The church’s (The Garden, Sparrow Records, 2017) longing for Christ compels us to holy living. Paul wanted to YY“First Love” by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser present the Corinthians as pure before Christ (2 Cor. 11:2). (Beautiful Surrender, Bethel Music, 2016) Revelation 19 portrays the bride as one who has prepared herself YY“More Than Conquerors” by Rend Collective for her wedding feast by dressing in fine linen (vv. 6-9). Her (Campfire, Integrity Music, 2013) righteousness serves a stark contrast to the unfaithfulness of the Babylonian prostitute (Rev. 19:1-3). We Christians ought YY“My Beloved” by Crowder to pursue holiness out of a desire to be spotless for our glorious (Neon Steeple [Deluxe Edition], sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Groom, the Lamb of God. Records, 2014)

Opening Activity Video Idea(s) Tell students they have been chosen to create a new reality show YY“Body Bride Building” Skitguys.com or online video channel. The show/channel is calledThe Perfect Courtship. The show will follow the courtships of several engaged couples, particularly focusing on the bride (though also including the groom). MIDWEEK DISCUSSION THE GOD WHO MAKES ALL THINGS NEW // SESSION 11 // SEVEN WORDS FOR SEVEN CHURCHES

This midweek study will explore the biblical teaching of the bride of Christ. Use the following main points, Scriptures, teaching/ discussion ideas, and questions to help students gain a better understanding of the essential doctrine for this session.

The entirety of the church across history Read 2 Corinthians 11:2. 1 and geography composes the bride of Christ YY How did Paul want to present the Corinthian believers (Mark 2:19-20; John 3:29; Eph. 5:31-32; Rev. 21:9-10). to Christ? What does this idea mean practically in our Read Mark 2:19-20. lives today? YY In this analogy, to what did Christ liken the disciples? Who is YY What are some specific things we can do this week to present Jesus in the analogy? What figure was (so far) missing? ourselves pure before Jesus? Read John 3:29. Remember we’ll need the Holy Spirit’s help. YY Where is Christ in John’s analogy? Who is John in the analogy? Read Revelation 19:1-3, 6-9. Whose identity is still not clear? YY How does the prostitute of Babylon contrast with the Read Ephesians 5:31-32. bride of Christ? YY YY Whom did Paul finally reveal as the bride of Christ? What Bible What glorious event was about to unfold for the bride? What verse did Paul say contained the mystery of this knowledge had she done before? from long ago? YY What are some righteous deeds we can do this week that would be the fine linen we would put on for our Groom? Read Revelation 21:9-10. YY How can we help one another (not just ourselves) be dressed YY How did John confirm Paul’s understanding? To what did John in fine linen for our Groom? compare the bride of Christ? YY How would you treat the bride of an important figure (maybe a politician or a pro athlete)? WRAP IT UP YY How should we treat one another as the bride of Christ? YY How would you respond to someone who said this whole idea of us being the bride of Christ was too gushy-romantic? What As a bride remains pure and faithful to her fiancé, happiness is this person missing out on? 2so also the bride of Christ seeks to remain pure to Him (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:1-3,6-9). YY How do engaged women behave differently than single women? What is different about their motivation for their lifestyles?