青少年教程 (启示录教导什么*第5课) | 妇人孩子和龙
- 羊之门-编译组
- 4 days ago
- 12 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
帮助学生对启示录有整体的认识
指出启示录的中心主题：耶稣击败撒但，并为所有在信心中坚持到底的人确保得胜
激励学生“不爱惜自己的性命，甚至不怕死”
主题
被掳、鬼魔、鼓励、天国、逼迫、复活、撒但、得救
背诵经文
启示录 12:11
开始祷告(5-10分钟)
团队建立(5分钟)
这是一个追逐游戏的变化版。规则很简单，而且人数越多越好玩。后面的课程中，也可以不断回到这个游戏作联系。
• 选一位学生作“龙”，另一位作“拯救者”。
• 其他所有学生都代表基督徒。
• 龙的任务是去碰基督徒。被碰到的基督徒必须到房间一个指定的角落，那里叫作“地牢”。龙不能碰拯救者。
• 只有拯救者可以进入地牢，碰里面的基督徒，把他们释放出来。除此之外，拯救者也可以碰龙；一旦碰到龙，游戏立刻结束。
• 当所有基督徒都被关进地牢，或者拯救者碰到龙时，游戏结束。
游戏可能很快结束，可以换不同的人扮演这些角色，多玩几次。
开始(3分钟)
我们已经来到启示录的中心。根据前几课所谈到的结构，可以清楚看见，整卷书其他内容都在指向这一章，把它作为关键所在。
一般讨论：
• 关于启示录的写作方式，我们需要记得什么？（使用大量象征，并不只是谈末世等。）
• 到目前为止，我们遇见了哪些与“七”有关的内容？（七个教会、七印、七枝号。）
• 七代表什么？（完全。）
• 你还记得启示录的结构吗？（它是一个交错结构，两边的内容共同指向一个中心，就像箭头一样。）
深入学习(40分钟)
启示录第12至14章不是另一组“七”，而是这些“七”之间的一段停顿。记住，启示录第12章是整卷书的中心。几周前我们已经谈过这种结构。
读 启示录 12:1-6
讨论问题：
根据第1节，天上出现了什么？（“一个大异象”。这里应该按象征理解，因为它本身就是一个“异象”或“兆头”。在启示录中，约翰使用“异象”这个词，就是在表明他接下来会借着象征来传达信息。）
妇人正在经历什么？（她怀孕了，即将生产。）
另一个异象是什么？（一条红龙，正准备吞吃那个孩子。）
七头、十角、七个冠冕等这些“异象”代表什么？（完全的能力和权柄。角代表能力，冠冕代表权柄等。）
你认为这个妇人是谁？（以色列、马利亚，或者两者兼有。）
你认为这个孩子是谁？你怎么知道？（耶稣。经文提到祂要用铁杖辖管万国，而且孩子“被提到神宝座那里”，也就是指向复活。）
基督的降生不只改变了世界，也震动了天上。
读 启示录 12:7-9
讨论问题：
第7节发生了什么？（天上爆发了一场大战。）
根据第9节，龙是谁？（撒但。）
撒但和他的使者后来怎样？（他们与天使长米迦勒和他的使者争战失败，被从天上摔到地上。）
读 启示录 12:10-12
讨论问题：
根据这些经文，撒但原来在天上扮演什么角色？（他昼夜在神面前控告信徒。）
根据第10至11节，撒但被推翻的根源是什么？（基督的救赎之工。）
信徒怎样胜过撒但？（借着羔羊的血。）
这个声音宣告了什么？（救恩和能力已经来到。）
为什么这里特别提到那些“不爱惜自己的性命，甚至不怕死”的人？（因为这封信是写给正在受逼迫的教会，为要鼓励他们坚持到底。这不是主要作为将来的预言，而是对当时信徒的鼓励。）
为什么诸天欢喜？（因为控告者撒但已经被赶出诸天。）
为什么地和海却有祸了？（因为魔鬼已经来到地上，而且知道自己的时候不多。）
从这些经文可以看见，基督击败撒但带来几件事：救恩、能力和盼望。然而，这并不表示争战已经全部结束。基督的降生、生活、死亡和复活标志着一个极其重要的时刻——撒但已经被击败；但将来仍有另一个重要时刻，就是撒但永远、彻底地被毁灭。
撒但与耶稣之间的争战已经结束。但我们所面对的争战仍然在继续。
读 启示录 12:13-17
讨论问题：
第13至14节似乎有所重复。前面的经文已经说妇人逃到旷野，为什么这里又再次提到？（这是作者重复叙述的另一个例子。一个比较大的术语叫“重述”。这种写法在启示录中随处可见。）
龙能够抓住妇人吗？（不能。）
龙无法抓住妇人以后，做了什么？（转而追赶她其余的儿女。）
根据这段经文，她的儿女是谁？（“守神诫命、为耶稣作见证的”。）
这些人是谁？（基督的跟随者。）
关于这条龙以及它怎样与教会争战，故事到这里还远没有结束。第13至14章会继续讲述。
联系实际（15分钟）
虽然启示录第12章充满象征，但它所传达的信息其实相当清楚：耶稣已经为我们确保了得胜，但我们仍然必须忠心忍耐到底，才能最终领受这得胜。研究这些内容的学者常把这种状态称为“已经，却还没有”。
得胜已经发生了。耶稣的复活已经确保这一点。然而，撒但仍然在地上制造破坏，因此我们仍然有许多争战要面对。好在这段经文很清楚地告诉我们应当怎样生活。
活在基督的救恩中
再次 读启示录 12:10
读 帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:9-11
讨论问题：
根据这段经文，我们已经得着救恩。这是怎样发生的？（借着基督的死和复活。）
在帖撒罗尼迦前书中，保罗说，既然我们已经得救，就应当做什么？（活出与救恩相称的生命，彼此鼓励，彼此建立。）
我们所得的救恩怎样能够鼓励别人？（让学生分享。）
已经得救的人为什么仍然需要鼓励？（因为生活艰难，跟随耶稣也很艰难等。）
正如保罗教导帖撒罗尼迦信徒一样，约翰谈到救恩，也是为了推动七个教会中的基督徒，以及今天的我们，彼此鼓励。
活在基督的能力中
读 启示录 12:11
讨论问题：
谁得胜了？他们怎样得胜？又胜过了什么？（信徒借着羔羊的血和自己所见证的道，胜过死亡。）
这样的得胜并非没有代价。信徒没有因什么而退缩？（他们没有停止为耶稣作见证，即使这可能使他们因此被杀。）
为什么有人能够不怕死？（信徒死亡以后，就与主同在。参见哥林多后书 5:8。）
“得胜”和“死亡”出现在同一句话里，会不会让你觉得奇怪？（让学生讨论。）
读 腓立比书 3:8-11
讨论问题：
保罗用了多少次“损失”“受苦”或类似的词？（很多次，至少四五次。）
保罗为什么甘愿失去？（为了得着基督。）
他最终得着什么？（在基督里的信心，以及从死里复活。）
一定要明白这一点，因为这是启示录的核心。基督的能力彰显在复活中；但要从死里复活，就必须先经过死亡。对于一个在第一世纪遭受严重逼迫的基督徒来说，他们的能力就在于忍耐到底。这就是他们的盼望。也应当成为我们的盼望。
活在基督的盼望中
读 启示录 12:12
讨论问题：
启示录 12:12中，有什么令人灰心的地方？（魔鬼已经来到地上，而且充满愤怒。）
启示录 12:12中，有没有什么可以鼓励你的地方？（学生可能一开始想不到，但有一点非常鼓励人：撒但“知道自己的时候不多”。）
我们已经谈过，耶稣怎样借着祂的死和复活确保得胜。然而，我们的争战还没有结束。那么，我们怎样仍然可以有盼望？因为我们所打的这场仗，并不会持续太久。
读 哥林多后书 4:16-18
讨论问题：
保罗怎样形容我们所受的患难？（至暂至轻。）
这些患难正在成就什么？（“要为我们成就极重无比、永远的荣耀。”）
即使知道将来会有奖赏，为什么受苦时仍然很难忍耐？（因为我们活在当下；我们缺少相信奖赏一定会来的信心；即使肉体上的安舒不会长久，我们仍然渴望立刻得到它等。）
当启示录最初的读者面对逼迫和死亡时，他们所拥有的只有在基督里的盼望。除了基督以外，你还容易把盼望放在哪里？（权力、财富、人际关系等。）
只有基督才能赐下的救恩、能力和盼望，正是启示录第12章的中心。考虑到第一世纪基督徒正在经历的一切，他们当然很容易受到诱惑，把盼望放在其他事物上。然而，整卷启示录都指向耶稣基督的降生、生活、死亡和复活。这提醒我们，启示录与其说主要是在告诉我们终局会发生什么，不如说是在教导我们：在终局来到以前，怎样一直忠信地活下去。
结束祷告(2分钟)
求神使学生把基督的救恩、能力和盼望放在生命的中心。也求神帮助他们记得，无论面对怎样的试炼，他们最终都会得胜，因为他们有基督。
****** 英文版 *******
Revelation: What Revelation Teaches
Lesson 5: The Woman, Her Baby, and a Dragon
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Goals
1. To inform students of the overview of the book of Revelation
2. To point to the main theme of Revelation: Jesus defeats Satan and secures victory for all who persevere in faith
3. To inspire students to “love not their life more than death”
Topics
Captivity, Demons, Encouragement, Heaven, Persecution, Resurrection, Satan, Saved
Scripture Memorization
Revelation 12:11
OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)
GROUP BUILDING (5 minutes)
This is a variation on the game of tag. The instructions are simple. This game is easier for larger groups. As you continue the lesson, you can tie back into this game.
• Select one person to be the dragon and one to be the rescuer.
• All other players are considered Christians.
• The dragon's job is to tag the Christians. When tagged, Christians have to go to a specific corner of the room, called the dungeon. The dragon cannot tag the rescuer.
• Only the rescuer can enter the dungeon to tag and free the Christians inside. In addition, the rescuer can tag the dragon, which immediately ends the game.
• The game ends when either all the Christians are in the dungeon or the rescuer has tagged the dragon.
The game may end quickly. Feel free to play a couple times using different people to fill the roles.
GETTING STARTED (3 minutes)
We have arrived at the main point of the book of Revelation. Because of its structure, as we have discussed in previous lessons, it is clear that the rest of the content is pointing to this chapter as a key.
General Discussion:
• What do we need to remember about how Revelation was written? (Lots of symbols, not just about the end times, etc.)
• So far, what “7s” have we come across? (7 churches, 7 seals, 7 trumpets.)
• What is seven a sign of? (Completion.)
• What do you remember about the structure of Revelation? (It is a chiasm—two chunks of content on either side of a point, like an arrow.)
DIGGING IN (40 minutes)
Revelation 12-14 is not a set of sevens; rather, it is a pause between them. Remember that Revelation chapter 12 is the point of the book. We talked about this structure several weeks ago.
Discussion Questions:
1. According to verse 1, what appears in Heaven? (“a great sign” This should be taken figuratively. It’s a sign. In Revelation, John says “signs” to signify that he is going to communicate via symbols.)
2. What is going on with the woman? (She’s pregnant and about to give birth.)
3. What is the other sign? (A red dragon, which is ready to gobble up the baby.)
4. What do the “signs” of seven heads, ten horns, seven diadems, etc. mean? (Complete power and authority. Horns equal power and crowns are authority, etc.)
5. Who do you think this woman is? (Israel, Mary, or both.)
6. Who do you think the baby is? How do you know? (Jesus. The iron scepter language, the child was “caught up to God” i.e., the resurrection.)
Christ's birth not only changes the world, but it shakes things up in Heaven.
Read Revelation 12:7-9
Discussion Questions:
1. What happens in verse 7? (A great war breaks out in Heaven.)
2. Who is the dragon according to verse 9? (Satan.)
3. What happens to Satan and his angels? (After losing a war with the archangel Michael and his angels, Satan and his angels are cast out of Heaven down to the earth.)
Read Revelation 12:10-12
Discussion Questions:
1. According to these verses, what was Satan’s role in Heaven? (He accuses believers before God night and day.)
2. According to verses 10-11, what was the origin of Satan's overthrow? (The atoning work of Christ.)2. How do believers triumph over Satan? (By the blood of the Lamb.)
3. What does this voice proclaim? (That salvation and power has come.)
4. Why do you think these who “did not love their lives more than death” are mentioned here? (Because this letter was written to a persecuted Church to encourage them to persevere. This is not meant as future prophecy but contemporary encouragement.)
5. Why are the Heavens rejoicing? (Satan, the accuser, has been thrown out of Heaven.)
6. Why are the earth and sea filled with woe? (Because the devil has come to us, and he knows his time is short.)
To read these verses, we conclude that Christ’s defeat over Satan results in a few things: salvation, empowerment, and hope. However, it does not mean the fight is over. While the Christ event marks a significant moment (Satan is defeated), there is still a significant moment to come—the eternal, complete defeat of Satan.
Satan’s battle with Jesus is over. Our battle is still being waged.
Read Revelation 12:13-17
Discussion Questions:
1. Verses 13-14 seem repetitive. Why is the woman in the desert again when earlier verses already told us she went there? (This is another example of the author repeating himself. The big word is “recapitulation.” It’s all over Revelation.)
2. Can the dragon get the woman? (No.)
3. After being unable to get to the woman, what does the dragon do? (Chases after the rest of her offspring.)
4. According to this passage, who are her offspring? (“those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”)
5. Who is that? (Followers of Christ.)
This by no means ends the relevant information about the dragon and the war he wages on the Church. Chapters 13 and 14 tell more of the story.
MAKING IT REAL (15 minutes)
Although it’s wrapped in symbolism, Revelation 12 gives us a pretty clear message. Jesus has secured victory for us already, but we still have to endure faithfully to receive it. Scholars who study this stuff call that the “already and the not yet.”Victory has occurred already. Jesus’ resurrection made sure of that. However, as Satan wreaks havoc on this earth, there is still much fighting for us to do. Fortunately, this passage tells us exactly what to do.
Live in the Salvation of Christ
Re-read Revelation 12:10
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
Discussion Questions:
1. According to this passage, we have received salvation. How did this happen? (Through Christ's death and resurrection.)
2. In 1 Thessalonians what does Paul say we should do in light of our salvation? (Live accordingly, encourage one another, and build one another up.)
3. How can our salvation encourage other people? (Allow students to share.)
4. Why do people who are saved need to be encouraged? (Because life is hard, following Jesus is hard, etc.)
Just as Paul instructs the Thessalonians, John is talking about salvation so that Christians in the seven churches, as well as us, will be moved to encourage each other.
Live in the Power of Christ
Read Revelation 12:11
Discussion Questions:
1. Who conquered, how did they conquer it, and what did they conquer? (Believers conquered death by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.)
2. This conquering was not without consequence. What didn't believers shrink back from? (Sharing their testimony, even if it meant that they would be put to death because of it.)
3. Why would someone not fear death? (Death of believers results in them being present with the Lord. [See 2 Corinthians 5:8].)
4. Does it seem odd that “conquering” and dying are used in the same sentence? (Allow for discussion.)
Read Philippians 3:8-11
Discussion Questions:
1. How many times does Paul use words like “loss” and “suffer” or other words like that? (Quitea few—at least four or five.)
2. Why does Paul lose? (So that he may gain Christ.)
3. What does he obtain? (Faith in Christ, resurrection from the dead.)
Understand this, because this is at the heart of the book of Revelation. The power of Christ is the resurrection, but to rise from death you have to die. For a first century Christian under heavy persecution, their power was in their endurance. That was their hope. It should be ours, too.
Live in the Hope of Christ
Read Revelation 12:12
Discussion Questions:
1. What about Revelation 12:12 is discouraging? (The devil has come and is full of wrath.)
2. Is there anything about Revelation 12:12 that encourages you? (They may not think so, but there is one thing that is encouraging: Satan’s “time is short.”)
We’ve already talked about how Jesus secured victory through His death and resurrection. Our fight is not over, however. How can we have hope? It’s that the fight we fight is not a long one.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Paul characterize our affliction? (It is light and momentary.)
2. What is it doing? (“Preparing for us an eternal glory beyond all comparison.”)
3. Why is it hard to endure suffering, even if you know reward is coming? (Because we live in the moment, we lack faith that the reward will come, we desire fleshly relief even if it doesn’t last, etc.)
4. Hope in Christ was all the readers of Revelation had as they faced persecution and death. What besides Christ are you tempted to hope in? (Power, wealth, relationships, etc.)
The salvation, power, and hope that can only come from Christ are at the center of Revelation 12. Given what the first-century Christians were going through, they were certainly tempted to hope in other things. Yet all of Revelation points to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This serves to remind us that Revelation isn’t so much about what happens in the end, but about living faithfully until the end.
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Pray that your students will live with the salvation, power, and hope of Christ at the center of their lives. Pray that your students remember that no matter what trials they may face, they will be victorious because they have Christ.
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