青少年教程 (启示录教导什么*第8课) | 新天新地

​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

• 使学生确信，启示录的结束并不意味着神的结束

• 挑战学生现在就为基督而活，而不是等到将来某个时候

主题

基督的身体、鼓励、忍耐、永生、天国、神的审判、神的国、属世

背诵经文

约翰福音 15:5

开始祷告(5-10分钟)

团队建立(5分钟)

向学生说明，他们要进行一种不同的接力赛。在这个游戏中，大家会真的彼此连接在一起，就像枝子连在葡萄树上一样。每组三人或更多人，彼此牵手站成一列。如果可能，让站在中间的人穿一双有鞋带的鞋。带领者用遮蔽胶带把大家牵在一起的手缠住，确保整个小组一直连在一起。如果有人松开手，必须重新用胶带绑好以后才能继续。各组要在房间里的不同站点之间移动，完成下面的任务。任务次序可以自行选择，但最后一项必须最后完成。任务的数量至少要比小组数量多两个。

• 折一架纸飞机。

• 从一张纸上剪出一个形状。

• 把一张报纸卷起来，再用橡皮筋绑住。

• 解开中间那个人的鞋带，然后重新系好。

• 给小组里的每个人喂一颗棉花糖。

• 吹起一个气球并把它打结。

开始(3分钟)

一般讨论:

• 你最近得到的一件新东西是什么？（让学生分享。）

• 它有什么特别好的地方？（它是新的、不同的、闪亮的、令人兴奋的。）

• 这种“新鲜感”通常能持续多久？（通常不会太久。）

我们都喜欢得到新东西，对不对？新电子游戏、新衣服、新鞋子……可以一直列下去。这些“新东西”不太好的地方，就是它们很快也会变得和我们其他东西一样：渐渐旧了，我们也不再那么在意。

说到我们的信仰，也常常会有类似的情形。随着时间过去，或进入不同的人生阶段，我们的信心有时也会渐渐冷淡。起初觉得新鲜、兴奋，后来慢慢消退，直到下一次青年活动、退修会、特会或夏令营，我们才又重新为神“火热”起来。如果有一种“新”，永远不会褪色，会怎么样？那不是很美好吗？

一般讨论:

• 当你想到新天新地时，脑海中会出现什么？（黄金、火、珍珠门等。）

• 谈论新天新地会给你什么感觉？（盼望、平安、美丽、敬拜等。）

对于启示录所说的新天新地，人们有不同的解释。对一些人来说，这可能是一个令人害怕的话题。不过，对基督的跟随者来说，这并不是需要害怕的事情，反而可以令人十分期待！

今天我们要更深入地查考启示录第21章，思想新天新地和新耶路撒冷的来到-一种永远不会失去“新鲜”的新。

深入学习(30分钟)

读 启示录 21:1-4

讨论问题：

1. 除了新天新地，还有什么从天而降？（新耶路撒冷。）

2. 对当时的人来说，耶路撒冷代表什么？（敬拜和信仰生活的中心。）

3. 新耶路撒冷被形容成什么？（如同新妇妆饰整齐，等候丈夫。）

4. 丈夫是谁？（神。）

5. 在这一切“更新”中，关于神与我们的关系，最突出的一点是什么？（神要与祂的百姓同在。）

我们许多人都记得创世记中的故事：亚当和夏娃吃了果子以后，就躲避神。正是他们的罪，使他们无法继续与神同在。但是，当那种永远不会失去“新鲜”的更新来到时，神就要与祂的百姓同在，并永远住在他们中间。罪和死亡不再存在于这个世界，也不再成为我们与神之间的隔绝。继续往下读，我们会进一步看见这将是什么样子。

读 启示录 21:5-8

讨论问题：

1. 神怎样形容祂所说的话？（可信的、真实的。）

2. 神说自己是“阿拉法，我是俄梅戛；我是初，我是终”以前，先说了什么？（祂说：“都成了！”）

3. 口渴的人所得到的水有什么特别？（是从生命水的泉源白白赐下的。）

神宣告自己是谁，并说“都成了”以后，接着提到那赐给口渴之人的水。约翰福音 4:14也提到类似的水：“人若喝我所赐的水就永远不渴。我所赐的水要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到永生。” 得到这水，就是得到永生。当死亡、罪等一切事物都不再使神与祂的百姓隔绝时，这永生最终得到完全实现。

接着，约翰记载了那些持续行不义之人的结局。他们不但得不到生命水，而且“他们的分就在烧着硫磺的火湖里，这是第二次的死”。我们刚刚读到新天新地，以及神宣告“都成了”以后将要来到的喜乐。然而，只有名字记在生命册上的人才能经历这喜乐。继续往下读，我们会进一步看见新耶路撒冷是什么样子。

读 启示录 21:9-27

讨论问题：

1. 为什么新耶路撒冷不需要圣殿？（因为主神全能者和羔羊就是城的殿。）

2. 新耶路撒冷还不会有什么？（没有黑夜。）

3. 谁可以进入新耶路撒冷？谁不可以？（只有名字写在生命册上的人可以进入；不洁净、行可憎和虚谎之事的人不能进入。）

这段经文前半部分描述新耶路撒冷的结构，我们可以看出，它的宏伟远远超过我们能够想象的程度。从根基、城门，到珍珠等各种细节，这座城被描绘得极其壮丽。然而，对当时许多人来说，最难理解的可能是：为什么那里没有圣殿？因为不再需要圣殿了——神自己就是殿。这意味着不再需要献祭，而且我们可以始终活在神的同在中！神的同在是真实的，不再需要借着一座实体建筑来代表。

读 启示录 22:1-5

讨论问题：

1. 生命水的河从哪里流出来？（从神和羔羊的宝座流出来。）

2. 河的两边有什么？（生命树。）

3. 生命树供应什么？（结十二样果子，每月结果；树上的叶子乃为医治万民。）

我们不仅看见这座城，也看见生命树和环绕它流淌的河，而这些都是神为祂百姓所预备的供应。生命树每个月结出不同的果子，一共有十二样；树叶则用来医治万民。在新耶路撒冷中，这棵树是神为祂百姓所预备的供应。

想到树，我们就会想到树需要水。特别是这里的生命树，它正生长在生命水的河边。我们刚才已经谈过，这河水从神和羔羊的宝座流出来，而这水又滋养生命树。树和果子的比喻在圣经中并不少见。约翰福音 15:5说：“我是葡萄树，你们是枝子。常在我里面的，我也常在他里面，这人就多结果子；因为离了我，你们就不能做什么。”

因为我们常在祂里面，我们不仅领受生命水，也能够经历从葡萄树而来的果子。你有没有看见约翰为我们描绘出的这些画面？新耶路撒冷中的生命树，就是神为那些常在祂里面的百姓所预备的供应！

联系实际（15分钟）

关于新天新地，以及它们究竟是什么样子，有很多内容需要消化。启示录第21至22章中，约翰为我们描绘了新耶路撒冷的画面。然而，新耶路撒冷不仅是为了让当时的人联想到某些熟悉的事物；在这更新之中，它也代表整个教会。

这段经文不只是关于基督将来的再来。它也关乎我们今天就可以怎样生活！

一般讨论：

• 这段经文中，有哪些内容听起来特别吸引你？（不再有世界的诱惑、压力、障碍等。）

• 约翰所描述的内容中，有没有什么是你不喜欢的？（让学生分享。）

最美好的地方是：那些美好的事，也就是赐给从生命泉源领受水之人的奖赏，现在与你有关！当我们等候基督再来的时候，只要常在祂里面，今天就可以经历祂。

读 约翰福音 15:5

讨论问题：

1. 谁是葡萄树？（耶稣。）

2. 我们是什么？（枝子。）

3. 今天有什么事情能阻止我们常在基督里面吗？（没有。）

我们不需要等到新天新地来到以后，才与基督连接，并为祂结果子。我们今天就可以这样做！

想一想你自己的生命。也回想课程开始时我们谈过的那个观念：我们喜欢新东西。新天新地的确很令人兴奋，但事实是，与基督一同度过的永恒，是从现在就开始的。除非我们自己决定不让耶稣成为生命的中心，否则没有什么能够拦阻祂现在就在我们生命中居首位。

与其一直等到将来进入天国，不如现在就开始认真为基督而活，让祂在我们的生命中掌权。

一般讨论：

• 今天你可以做什么，使自己继续与神连接，并奉祂的名结果子？（亲近神，不让任何事情使自己离开祂，决定跟随祂等。）

• 你可以用哪些方式，把神的爱带给地上的人？（传福音、行公义、爱仇敌、饶恕伤害自己的人等。）

结束祷告(2分钟)

求神帮助学生主动把祂的爱带给身边的人。

****** 英文版 *******

Revelation: What Revelation Teaches

Lesson 8: New Heaven and New Earth

LESSON OBJECTIVES

Goals

1. To inform students of the overview of the book of Revelation

2. To assure students that the end of revelation does not mean the end of God

3. To challenge students to live for Christ now, not some time in the future

Topics

Body of Christ, Encouragement, Endurance, Eternal Life, Heaven, Judgment of God, Kingdom of God, Worldliness

Scripture Memorization

John 15:5

OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)

GROUP BUILDING (10 minutes)

Explain to students that they are going to do a different type of relay in which they are literally connected to one another—like a branch to a vine. Teams of three or more people join hands to form a line. If possible, the person in the middle should be the one wearing shoes that tie. A leader fastens the joined hands together by wrapping them with masking tape. This is to ensure that the group stays together. If the grip is broken, the team must be re-taped before continuing. Teams then go from station to station around the room to complete tasks (see below) in any order they choose, except for the final task, which must be completed last. There must be at least two more tasks than teams.

• Fold a paper airplane.

• Cut out a shape from a piece of paper.

• Roll up a newspaper and put a rubber band around it.

• Untie and then retie the shoe of the middle person.

• Feed each member of the group a marshmallow.

• Blow up and tie off a balloon.

GETTING STARTED (7 minutes)

General Discussion:

• What is the newest item you have received? (Allow students to share.)

• What was so great about it? (It was new, different, shiny, exciting.)

• How long does the newness last? (Usually not long.)

We love to get new things, right? We love getting a new video game, a new outfit, new shoes. The list could go on! The bad part about this “new” stuff is that it easily becomes like everything else we have, it becomes old and we don’t think about it as much.

When we think about what we believe in, often times our faith fades with time or with the seasons of life. It is new and exciting for a while, but it fades until the next youth event, retreat, conference, summer camp, and then we get “on fire” for God again. What if there was a new that never faded away? How cool would that be?    

General Discussion:

• What ideas come to mind when you think of a New Heaven and a New Earth? (Gold, fire, pearly gates, etc.)

• How does talking about this feel? What images do you think of when talking about this idea? (Hopeful, peaceful, beauty, worship, etc.)

There are different theories on what Revelation means when it talks about there being a New Heaven and a New Earth. For some, it may be a scary idea to discuss. However, it’s not something to fear as Christ followers, it can actually be exciting!

We are going to look deeper into Revelation 21 and the idea of the New Heaven/New Earth and the coming of a New Jerusalem; the new that never loses its “newness!”

DIGGING IN (30 minutes)

Read Revelation 21:1-4

Discussion Questions:

1. Not only was there a new Heaven and a new Earth, but what was coming down out of Heaven? (A new Jerusalem.)

2. What does Jerusalem represent to the people? (A center of worship and religious life.)

3. New Jerusalem is described as what? (A bride adorned for her husband.)

4. Who is the husband? (God.)

5. What is the one thing that stands out about this newness and God’s relationship with us? (God will be with His people.)

Many of us remember the passage from Genesis when Adam and Eve ate the fruit and then hid from God. Their sin is what kept them from being with God, but when that which doesn’t lose it’s newness comes, God can be with His people and can live among them permanently. No longer will sin and death live in the world and cause a barrier between us and God. As we read on, we find more about what this will look like.

Read Revelation 21:5-8

Discussion Questions:

1. How does God refer to the words He is about to speak? (Trustworthy and true.)

2. God explains that He is, “the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,” but before this what does He say? (He says, "It is done!")

3. What is special about the water that the thirsty will receive? (The water is said to have come from the water of life, without payment.)

Following God’s explanation about who He is and that “it is done” we see an explanation of the water that will be given to those who are thirsty. A similar reference to this water is found in John 4:14, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." To get this water means eternal life, which is finally achieved when death, sin, etc. , no longer separate God from His people.

John then records what will happen to those who practice immoral actions. We see that these people not only fail to receive the water of life, but "will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." We just heard about the new heaven and new earth, and the joy that will come afterwards because God said, “It is done.” However, only those who are recorded in the Book of Life can experience this joy. As we read on, we see more about what the New Jerusalem will look like.

Read Revelation 21:9-27

Discussion Questions:

1. Why was there no need for a temple in the New Jerusalem? (It’s temple was the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.)

2. What else will be absent in the New Jerusalem? (There will be no night.)

3. Who is allowed into the New Jerusalem and who is not? (Only those who are written in the Book of Life are allowed, those who are unclean or who do what is detestable and false are not allowed to enter.)

The first part of this passage talks about the structure of New Jerusalem, and we see that it is far bigger than we can comprehend. From the significance of the foundation, gates, the pearl accents, this city is described as being magnificent. Nevertheless, to many during this time, it would be difficult to understand why there was no temple. There is no need for a temple because God is the temple. This means there was no more sacrifices, and we get to be in the temple at all times! God’s presence is real, not represented by a physical structure.

Read Revelation 22:1-5

Discussion Questions:

1. From where does the river of the water of life flow? (It flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb.)

2. What is found on either side of the river? (The Tree of Life.)

3. What does the Tree of Life provide? (Twelve kinds of fruit for each month, leaves for healing the nations.)

Not only do we see this picture of the city, but this tree surrounded by the flowing river, each of which are provisions from God. The tree provides twelve different kinds of fruit for each month and the leaves help to heal the nations. This tree is meant to provide for the people of God in this New Jerusalem.

When we think of a tree, we remember that trees need water. Specifically thinking about this tree, we see that it is placed by the river that flows with the water of life. If we recall, we discussed that the water flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This water then aids the Tree of Life. The example of a tree and a fruit is not something uncommon in scripture, John 15:5 states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Since we have remained in Him, we not only receive the water of life, but get to experience this fruit that comes from the vine. Do you see the images John paints for us? This Tree of Life in New Jerusalem is God’s provision for His people because they have remained in Him!

MAKING IT REAL (15 minutes)

There is a lot to absorb about the idea of a new Heaven and a new earth and what they would look like respectively. John paints a picture of the New of the New Jerusalem for us in Revelation 21 and 22. However, this New Jerusalem doesn’t just serve as a memory trigger for the people then, but represents the Church as a whole in this newness.

This passage is more than just a reference to Christ’s return—it is something that we can live now!

General Discussion:

• What are some of the things from this passage that sound really good to you? (No more worldly traps, stresses, obstacles.)

• What things did John describe that you didn’t like? (Allow students to share.)

The great thing about this is that the good parts, the rewards for those who get to receive the water from the spring of life, is available to you! While we are awaiting Christ’s return, we get to experience Him now if we remain in Him.     

Read John 15:5

Discussion Questions:

1. Who is the vine? (Jesus.)

2. What are we? (The branches.)

3. Is there anything stopping us from abiding in Christ now? (No.)

We don’t have to wait for the new Heaven and new earth to be attached to Christ and bear fruit for Him. We can do this now!Think about your life.

Think about the idea that we started our lesson with—that we like new things. While it is easy to get excited about the idea of a new Heaven and a new earth, the reality is that an eternity with Christ starts now. There is nothing stopping Jesus from being the center of our lives except for our decision not to let Him.

Instead of waiting until we get to Heaven, let’s get busy living for Christ now by letting Him reign in our lives.

General Discussion:

• What can you do today to live attached to God and bear fruit in His name? (Draw close to God, don’t let anything take you away from Him, decide to follow Him, etc.)

• What are some ways you can help bring God’s love to those on Earth? (Preach the Gospel, do justice, love your enemy, forgive those who harm you, etc.)

CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)

Pray for your students to help actively bring God’s Love to those around them.