Promises From Jesus預覽

ABUNDANT LIFE

It’s a whole lot easier to get through the last few days of the semester when you know Christmas break is just around the corner. You’ve got something to look forward to – no school, extra time with friends, and maybe even that little something under the tree.

Jesus knew that we needed something to look forward to ALL THE TIME, not just when the shopping malls put up their Christmas decorations. So Jesus promised to give us “life to the full” – abundant life, far more life than before, a better life than you’ve ever dreamed of.

Before he made that promise, Jesus called himself a gate and said “whoever enters through me will be saved.” The promise of abundant life is for people who have trusted Jesus, people who are now a part of the kingdom of God. 

This “life to the full” is how Jesus described life in the kingdom of God. It’s something we can look forward to, but it’s also something Jesus wants us to experience now.

The someday part? We can look forward to living with Jesus forever after this life is over. There's going to be a new heaven and a new earth where Jesus will live with his people for eternity. He even said he’s getting a room ready just for you. (John 14:2)

The right now part? We don’t have to wait until eternity to experience the kingdom of God. We get to experience that abundant life now when we participate in what God is doing here on earth.

God is at work all around us, and we can be part of it.

When your leader invites you to Campaigners or a small group, you can go and talk about the Bible with your friends. That’s experiencing the kingdom of God now. 

When you are kind to someone at school who is different from you, you are experiencing the kingdom of God now.

When your little brother asks you for the millionth time if he can borrow your game and you let him, you’re experiencing the kingdom of God now.

Jesus promised that after our earthly life is over, we will enjoy life to the full, each day, every day. In the meantime, God gives us glimpses of his kingdom all around us and invites us to be a part of that abundant life now. 

REFLECTION

Where have you seen God at work this week?

DISCUSSION

How can looking forward to spending forever with Jesus change how you think about today?