青少年教程 (启示录教导什么*第2课) | 约翰所看见的
- 羊之门-编译组
- 5 days ago
- 13 min read
编者按
这是一套在美国很受欢迎的教材，按年龄共分三部分：0-6岁学龄前儿童教程，6-12岁学龄儿童教程，和12岁以上青少年教程。我们将陆续翻译成中文，分享给大家。
这套教材里的每一篇，无论是教程还是各种活动，都独立成篇，没有先后顺序，大家可以按需要和负担选择使用。
*更多内容：thedoorofsheep.com/青少年 课程目的
帮助学生了解启示录第4至5章的主要主题
帮助学生明白，无论处境如何，神始终掌权
激励学生单单敬拜神
主题
神的属性、天国、荣耀神、神的审判、预言
背诵经文
启示录 4:11
开始祷告(5-10分钟)
团队建立(10分钟)
玩一个叫“读我的唇”的游戏。选一位学生作说话者，另一位作猜话者。给说话者一句话，让他只动嘴、不出声地把这句话说给猜话者看。（可以自己设计任何句子。）猜话者要通过观察说话者的嘴唇，猜出他说的是什么。
为了增加难度，其他组员可以同时大声说话，内容随意。看看在周围有这么多声音和干扰的情况下，猜话者是否仍然能够读懂说话者的唇语。
让几位学生轮流尝试。
开始(5分钟)
一般讨论
• 要理解信息困难吗？为什么困难，或为什么不困难？（因为周围有许多其他声音和干扰。）
• 你的生活中有哪些干扰，使你难以听见神的声音？有哪些声音正在争夺你的注意力？（让学生讨论。）
• 为什么我们有时那么容易听从这些声音？（让学生讨论。）
背景
在查考启示录第4至5章以前，让我们先回想一下，当时的教会正在面对什么。他们主要承受两方面的压力。第一，是顺从周围文化的诱惑；第二，是跟随罗马的宗教，其中包括敬拜王以及其他所谓的神明。（参见使徒行传 12:21-22。）
顺从世界潮流的压力一定非常大。基督徒在其他人眼中显得格格不入，而且这种不同并不会为他们带来好处。拒绝敬拜王，会按照罗马法律受到严厉惩罚；对许多人来说，这甚至意味着死亡。
这就给教会带来一个极其重要的问题：谁是主，是耶稣，还是凯撒？我们应当敬拜谁？我们应当跟随谁？启示录第4至5章回答了这些问题。
深入学习(30分钟)
（选择性阅读：以西结书 1:4-28和以赛亚书 6:1-3。约翰在第4章中所使用的大部分意象，都来自这两段经文。）
读 启示录 4:1-6
讨论问题：
经文用哪些事物来描绘神的宝座？（彩虹、宝石、玻璃海、七盏火灯、雷轰和闪电。）
你认为为什么要用这些画面来描绘神的宝座？（为了显明祂的能力和威严。）
读 启示录 2:10和3:3-5
讨论问题：
读完这些经文后，你认为二十四位长老代表谁？他们为什么穿白衣、戴金冠冕？（在启示录第2至3章中，这些是应许给那些即使面对逼迫，仍然忠信、拒绝敬拜神以外任何对象之人的奖赏。在启示录中，我们会不断看见“十二”以及十二的倍数代表神的百姓，例如十二支派、十二使徒等。）
神为什么要让约翰看见这些长老？（让神的百姓知道，只要保持忠信，这些奖赏就是真实的。）
你认为这个画面是在描绘世界的终局，还是当时已经存在的现实？哪一种理解会给当时的教会更大鼓励？（让学生讨论。）
你认为这个异象中为什么有玻璃海？它可能代表什么？（主要有两种看法。第一，海可能代表隔绝。在其他地方也有这样的含义。它可能表示如今我们与坐在天上宝座掌权的神之间仍然存在隔离。启示录 21:1描写新天新地时说，海也不再有了。第二，海可能代表邪恶。当时，人们常常把海看作邪恶和混乱所在之处。后来在启示录中，我们会看见兽从海中上来。当时人们认为只有神能够制服海水。例如，神分开红海，耶稣平静风浪。因此，这个异象也可能在表明，神制服邪恶与混乱，并在其上掌权。）
读 启示录 4:7-8
讨论问题：
四个活物是谁？你认为它们代表什么？（这些形象来自以赛亚书第6章，对于它们具体代表什么有许多不同看法。不过，从较广泛的意义上说，人们通常认为它们代表整个受造界，例如四季、四种元素、四个方向等。）
这四个活物做什么？（昼夜不停地敬拜神。）
读 启示录 4:9-11
讨论问题：
这段经文中是谁在敬拜？（四活物和二十四位长老。）
他们敬拜谁？为什么？（敬拜神，因为祂创造了万有。）
他们怎样敬拜？（把荣耀、尊贵和感谢归给神；长老把自己的冠冕放在宝座前。）
谁坐在宝座上？（神。）
读 启示录 5:1-4
讨论问题：
神坐在宝座上时，手里拿着什么？（一卷书。）
你认为书卷上写着什么？（在来自天上的异象中，书卷通常记载着人的命运。）
你认为书卷为什么有七个印？（记得，七代表完全。这卷书被完全、彻底地封住。）
谁配展开这些印？（“在天上、地上、地底下，没有能展开、能观看那书卷的。”启示录 5:3。）
约翰为什么哭？（因为看起来神为祂百姓所定的计划无法实现。）
读 启示录 5:5-7
讨论问题：
为什么有人告诉约翰不要哭？（因为有一位配展开书卷和其中的印。）
谁能够展开书卷？（狮子是大卫王室的象征，而人们知道弥赛亚要从大卫的后裔而出。这一位就是耶稣！）
约翰听见的是一头狮子，却看见一只像被杀过的羔羊。为什么？（耶稣在十字架上献上了最终的祭。祂有狮子般的能力，却选择像羔羊一样谦卑自己，被献为祭。献祭的羔羊也会使人想起出埃及记 12:21-28。当时，神审判那些压迫祂百姓的仇敌。现在，类似的事情又将发生。）
读 启示录 5:8-10
讨论问题：
盛满香的金炉是什么？（众圣徒的祷告。）
当时他们会为什么祷告？（求神拯救他们，并施行审判。启示录 6:10中很清楚地出现了这样的祷告。耶稣展开书卷、施行审判，是对祂百姓祷告的回应。）
我们再次看见四活物和众长老敬拜，但这一次他们敬拜羔羊。为什么要让我们看见这一幕？（记住最主要的问题：谁是主，是耶稣还是凯撒？）
从他们所唱的新歌中，我们认识到耶稣哪些事？（借着祂的牺牲，我们被买赎归给神；我们的目的，是服事并敬拜祂，而不是敬拜这个世界上的其他事物；祂的国，也就是教会，将永远掌权。）
读 启示录 5:11-14
在希腊文中，一万是表示数量时所使用的最大数词。把它变成复数，也就是“千千万万”，基本上就是指无数的天使。
讨论问题：
为什么约翰会看见无数天使围绕神的宝座敬拜？（因为只有神配得敬拜。）
我们在这里看见谁在敬拜？他们分别代表什么？（四活物代表受造界；二十四位长老代表神的百姓；还有所有的天使。）
神借着这一幕显明什么？（整个受造界、所有神的百姓，以及无数的天使，都在敬拜独一的真神。那么，你敬拜的是谁？）
第12节他们说什么？（羔羊是配得的。）
第13节又有谁加入敬拜？（天上、地上、地底下和海里所有的受造之物。）
请注意，直到整个受造界都加入对独一真神的敬拜之后，四活物才说“阿们”，为这一切画上句号。
联系实际（15分钟）
一般讨论：
• 你认为启示录第4至5章最主要的信息是什么？（只有神配得我们的敬拜和委身。）
• 我们的文化中，人们会把哪些东西放在神之上来敬拜？（自我、金钱、权力、性等。）
• 在哪些方面，你可能满足于一些“廉价的替代品”，而没有单单敬拜神？（只有学生自己能够诚实回答。如果他们愿意坦白，很可能会提到物质、自己的名声等。）
• 你在哪些环境中觉得很难活得像一个基督徒？（在非基督徒中间，例如学校、运动队、工作场所，甚至可能是在自己的家里。）
• 你面对哪些强大的压力，要你顺从文化？（按照某种方式说话、进入不健康的关系等。）
• 当时的教会在受苦中知道神仍然掌权、坐在宝座上，会有什么感受？知道这件事在你的生命中也同样真实，又给你什么感受？（这会带来鼓励，使人知道坚定站立是有意义的，也给人将来的盼望。）
再次读 启示录 4:4
讨论问题：
如果我们今生忠于基督，就有启示录 4:4中同样的天上奖赏等候我们。知道这一点，你有什么感受？（受到激励、充满盼望、得到鼓励等。）
根据启示录 5:9-10中的新歌，各族、各方、各民、各国所有人的目的，都是单单服事和敬拜神。你以前有没有这样想过？这给你什么感受？（这可能使一些人重新思考自己人生的目的，也会挑战他们原来对生命意义的理解。）
作为对这两章经文的回应，这周你可以做一件什么事？（分别时间敬拜神、放弃自己的廉价替代品、这一周每天阅读这两章等。）
结束祷告(2分钟)
祷告求神使学生不被诱惑去顺从今天的文化，敬拜这个世界上的事物；反而每天都有意识地选择以耶稣为主。也求神帮助他们认识到，自己存在的目的，就是服事并敬拜那位借着耶稣的牺牲把他们买赎回来的神。
****** 英文版 *******
Revelation: What Revelation Teaches
Lesson 2: What John Saw
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Goals
1. To inform students of the main themes of Revelation chapters 4-5
2. To understand that God is in control no matter the situation
3. To inspire students to worship God alone
Topics
Character of God, Heaven, Honor God, Judgment of God, Prophecy
Scripture Memorization
Revelation 4:11
OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)
GROUP BUILDING (10 minutes)
Play a game called “Read My Lips.” Select one person who will be the speaker and one person who will be the interpreter. The speaker will be given a phrase that he or she has to mouth to the listener (you can make up any phrase). The listener will have to try to read the speaker’s lips to guess what he or she is saying. To make it even harder, all of the other members in the group should talk, about anything they want, all at the same time. See if the interpreter can still read the speaker’s lips even with all the distractions going on around him or her. Allow several students to have a turn.
GETTING STARTED (5 minutes)
General Discussion:
• Was it difficult to interpret the message? Why or why not? (There were so many other voices and distractions going on.)
• What are some distractions in your life that make it difficult to hear the voice of God? What are some voices in your life that compete for your attention? (Allow for discussion.)
• Why is it sometimes so easy to listen to those voices? (Allow for discussion.)
BACKGROUND
Before we look at Revelation 4-5, let’s take a moment to remember what the Church was facing at this time. There were two main pressures. The first was the temptation to conform to the culture around them. The second was to follow the religion of Rome, which involved worshipping the emperor among other so-called deities. (Refer to Acts 12:21-22.)
The pressure to conform to the ways of the world would have been great. Christians stood out to everyone else in a bad way. Refusal to worship the emperor resulted in severe penalties imposed by Roman law. For many, this meant death. This would have raised a major question for the Church. Who is Lord: Jesus or Caesar? Who should we worship? Who should we follow? Answers to these questions are found in chapters 4-5 of Revelation.
DIGGING IN (30 minutes)
(Optional reading: Ezekiel 1:4-28, and Isaiah 6:1-3. Most of John’s imagery in chapter 4 comes from these two sources.)
Read Revelation 4:1-6
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some of the things used to describe God’s throne? (Rainbow, precious gems, crystal sea, flames of seven torches, thunder and lightning.)
2. Why do you think these types of images are used to describe God’s throne? (To show His power and majesty.)
Read Revelation 2:10 and Revelation 3:3-5
Discussion Questions:
1. After reading this, who do you think the 24 elders represent and why are they dressed in white with gold crowns? (In Revelation 2 and 3, these were promised to those who remained faithful and refused to worship anyone other than God, even in the face of persecution. Throughout Revelation we will see that 12—and multiples of 12—represent God’s people. 12 tribes, 12 disciples, etc.)
2. Why would God show John these elders? (So that the people could see that these rewards were a reality if they remained faithful.)
3. Do you think this scene is picturing the end of time or something that was already a present realty? Which would have been a bigger encouragement for the Church? (Allow for discussion.)
4. Why do you think there is a sea of glass in this vision? What do you think it represents? (Two main views exist. 1. The sea may represent separation. This is true in other areas. It could be showing that right now there is still separation between us and God, who reigns on His throne in Heaven. Revelation 21:1, describing the new Heaven, the Scripture says that there is no more sea. 2.The sea may represent evil. At that time, the sea was often seen as a place where evil and chaos existed. Later in Revelation we will see the beast come from the sea. It was believed only the gods could tame the water. For example, God parted the Red Sea and Jesus calmed the waves. This vision may show how God subdues evil and chaos and reigns over it.)]
Read Revelation 4:7-8
Discussion Questions:
1. Who are the four creatures? What do you think they represent? (They come from Isaiah 6 and there is much debate as to their exact representations. However, more broadly they have been typically understood to represent the created order – four seasons, four elements, four directions, etc.)
2. What do these four creatures do? (Worship God day and night.)
Read Revelation 4:9-11
Discussion Questions:
1. Who is worshipping in this passage? (Living creatures and twenty-four elders.)
2. Whom are they worshipping and why? (God, for He created all things.)
3. How are they worshipping? (Giving glory, honor and thanks to God. The elders lay their crowns before the throne.)
4. Who is on the throne? (God.)
Read Revelation 5:1-4
Discussion Questions:
1. As God is seated on His throne, what is He holding? (A scroll.)
2. What do you think is written on the scroll? (Scrolls seen in visions from Heaven typically had the destinies of the people written on them.)
3. Why do you think the scroll had 7 seals? (Remember, 7 represents perfect and complete. This scroll was perfectly and completely sealed.)
4. Who is worthy of opening the seals? ("No one in Heaven or earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it." Revelation 5:3)
5. Why does John weep? (Because it seems as if God’s plan for the people would not be fulfilled.)
Read Revelation 5:5-7
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is John told not to cry? (Someone is worthy to open the scroll and its seals.)
2. Who is able to open the scroll? (The lion was the symbol of the royal house of David. It was said, the Messiah would come from the line of David. This is Jesus!)
3. John is told about a lion, but he sees a lamb that looks like it has been sacrificed. Why? (Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He had the power of a lion but chose to humble Himself like a lamb and be sacrificed. The sacrificial lamb would have reminded the people of the Exodus—Exodus 12:21-28—where God brought judgment on the enemies oppressing His people. Now that is about to happen again.)
Read Revelation 5:8-10
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the golden bowls of incense? (The prayers of the people.)
2. What would their prayers at that time have been? (For God to rescue them and to bring judgment. This prayer is evident in Revelation 6:10. Jesus is opening the scroll to bring judgment as an answer to the prayers of the people.)
3. Again we see the four living creatures and the elders worship. This time they worship the lamb. Why are we seeing this? (Remember the main point, who is Lord: Jesus or Caesar?)
4. What are some things we learn about Jesus through their new song? (Through His sacrifice we were purchased by God, our purpose is to serve and worship Him (not anything else of this world) and His kingdom—the Church—will reign forever.)
Read Revelation 5:11-14
In Greek, 10,000 is the largest number term. By making it plurals (tens of thousands) it essentially means an infinite number of angels.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why was John shown an infinite number of angels worshipping around God's throne? (Because God alone is worthy of worship.)
2. Who do we see worshipping here and what do they represent? (Four living creatures – created order, twenty-four elders – the people of God, All of the angels.)
3. What is God showing through this? (All of the created order, all of the people of God, and infinite numbers of angels all worship the true God. Who do you worship?)
4. What do they say in verse 12? (Worthy is the lamb.)5. Who joins into the worship in verse 13? (Every creature in Heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea.)
Notice that the 4 living creatures only say Amen (bringing things to a close) after everyone in all of creation joins in to worship the only true God.
MAKING IT REAL (15 minutes)
General Discussion:
• What do you think is the main point of Revelation 4-5? (To show that God alone is worthy of our worship and our commitment.)
• What are some things that our culture worships over God? (Self, money, power, sex, etc.)
• What are some areas you might be settling for a “cheap imitation” instead of worshipping God alone? (Only students can answer this honestly. If they are honest, they will most likely mention stuff, their own reputation, etc.)
• What are some areas where it is difficult for you to live like a Christian? (Around people who aren’t Christians – at school, on sports teams, at work, maybe even in their own homes.)
• What are some strong pressures you face to conform to culture? (To talk a certain way, be involved in unhealthy relationships, etc.)
• How would it have made the Church feel to know that in their suffering God was still in control and reigning on His throne? How does it make you feel to know that is true in your life as well? (It is encouraging, it gives purpose to making a stand, gives hope for the future.)
Read Revelation 4:4 again
Discussion Questions:
1. How does it make you feel to know that the same reward in Heaven from 4:4 awaits us if we are faithful to Christ in this life? (It is inspiring, hopeful, encouraging, etc.)
2. According to the new song in Revelation 5:9-10, the purpose of every person from every tribe, tongue, and nation is to serve and worship God alone. Had you ever thought about that before? How does that make you feel? (It may make some think of their purpose differently, it challenges what they think the point of life is, etc.)
3. What is something you can do this week as a response to these two chapters? (Set aside time to worship God, give up on my cheap substitutes, read these chapters each day this week.)
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Pray that your students aren’t tempted to conform to contemporary culture by worshiping the things of this world. Instead, pray that your students make a conscious choice every day to make Jesus their Lord. Pray that they recognize their purposes to serve and worship the God who purchased them through the sacrifice of Jesus.
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