The final judgment described in Revelation 19 demonstrates the holy love of God. Many today resist the idea of God as judge, but when they do so, they are left with a one-dimensional God—a sappy, sanitized deity whom they can easily manage. He nods and winks at our behavior, much like a kind elderly man who is not seriously invested in our lives. But the evil of our world is much too serious for us to view God as a pandering papa.
The Bible’s picture of God is much more satisfying. He is angry because He is love. He looks at the world and sees the trafficking of innocent children, the destructive use of drugs, genocidal atrocities, terrorist attacks that keep people in perpetual fear, and He—out of love for the creation that reflects Him as Creator—responds rightfully and gloriously with anger.
The god who is truly scary is not the wrathful God of the Bible but the god who closes his eyes
to the evil of this world, shrugs his shoulders, and ignores it in the name of “love.” What kind of
love is this? A god who is never angered at sin and who lets evil go by unpunished is not worthy of worship. The problem isn’t that the judgment-less god is too loving; it’s that he is not loving enough.
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults
Every week for Volume 4: From Captivity to the Wilderness, Ken Braddy, Lifeway’s director of Sunday School, will offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Adults.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Students
Every week, student ministry leaders offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Students. Listen in as he shares:
- The main point of the session
- Any challenges and opportunities for additional discussion that may arise during this session
- Encouragements for leaders
Podcast (studentsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
A Final Reminder
Don’t forget, you can find tools to help you prepare and lead the discussion in the Additional Resources for this volume. We hope these are a blessing to you as you walk through this session together.
*This week’s leader devotional is written by Trevin Wax. It is adapted from the daily devotions for Unit 36, Session 4 from The Gospel Project for Adults’ Daily Discipleship Guide.
