Living with Hope | Dr. Conrad Vine

Sermon Study Guide

“Living with Hope” | Main Passage: Jeremiah 1:5

How to Use This Study Guide

• Personal Bible Study
• Small Group Discussion
• Sabbath School Classes
• Family Worship

This study guide is designed to deepen your understanding of the sermon “Living with Hope” by Dr. Conrad Vine. It can be used for personal reflection or in a group setting. Each session includes a Scripture Focus 📖, Teaching Points 💭, Discussion Questions ❓, and Personal Application ✍️ to help apply the lessons to your life.

Session 1: Before Life

[Jeremiah 1:5]

📖 Opening Scripture

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

💭 Teaching Summary

1. God’s Relationship with Us: The sermon opens with the profound idea that God knows us before we are even formed in the womb. This indicates that our lives are not random but are part of a divine plan. God’s knowledge of us before our physical existence shows that we are always alive to Him, highlighting the eternal nature of our relationship with our Creator.
2. Purpose Before Birth: Ephesians 2:10 supports the notion that God has ordained good works for us even before we are born. Our lives have purpose and meaning, and we are created to fulfill the good works God has planned for us. This understanding can guide us in finding our place and purpose in God’s overarching plan.
3. Life is Not Random: The teaching emphasizes that our existence is not a product of chance. God’s intentional design for each individual means that every life has value and purpose. The belief that we are handcrafted by God assures us of our intrinsic worth and the significance of our lives in His grand design.

❓ Discussion Questions

• What does it mean to you that God knew you before you were born?
• How does understanding that we have a divine purpose affect your daily life?
• In what ways can you discern the good works God has prepared for you?
• How can the belief that life is not random help you during challenging times?

✍️ Personal Application

• Reflect on your life and identify moments where you felt God’s purpose for you. Write these down as a reminder of His plan.
• Spend time in prayer this week asking God to reveal more of His purpose for your life.
• Consider how you can be a blessing to others through the good works God has prepared for you.

Session 2: Understanding Mortal Life

[Genesis 2:7, Ezekiel 18:20]

📖 Opening Scripture

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)

💭 Teaching Summary

1. The Essence of Life: Genesis 2:7 describes how God formed man, combining the dust of the ground with the breath of life. This divine equation results in a living soul, emphasizing that life is a gift from God, not an intrinsic possession.
2. The First Lie: The sermon discusses the first lie ever told by Satan—”you shall not surely die”—and its impact on humanity’s understanding of life and death. This lie suggests immortality without God and negates the need for a savior.
3. Individual Responsibility: Ezekiel 18:20 highlights that each person is responsible for their own actions. We do not bear the guilt of our ancestors, which counters many modern ideologies that assign collective guilt based on identity.

❓ Discussion Questions

• How does the creation of Adam in Genesis 2:7 shape your understanding of life?
• Why is the lie about immortality significant in today’s context?
• How does Ezekiel 18:20 challenge modern societal beliefs about guilt and responsibility?
• What are some ways we can celebrate the life God has given us?

✍️ Personal Application

• Reflect on areas where you might have believed the lie of intrinsic immortality. Seek God’s truth in those areas.
• Consider writing a personal mission statement that reflects your understanding of life as a gift from God.
• Identify ways you can take responsibility for your actions and live out your faith authentically.

Session 3: The Reality of Death

[Ecclesiastes 9:5, John 11:11-14]

📖 Opening Scripture

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

💭 Teaching Summary

1. Death as Sleep: The sermon emphasizes that death is described as a sleep in the Bible, with Jesus referring to death in this way when speaking of Lazarus. This metaphor provides comfort and hope for the resurrection.
2. No Knowledge in Death: Ecclesiastes 9:5 clarifies that the dead know nothing. This understanding dispels myths about the dead having ongoing influence or awareness and aligns with the biblical view of death as a state of unconscious rest.
3. The Promise of Resurrection: Jesus’ raising of Lazarus demonstrates His power over death and His promise of resurrection for all who believe in Him. This event serves as a precursor to the hope of eternal life for believers.

❓ Discussion Questions

• How does viewing death as sleep change your perspective on it?
• What comfort do you find in knowing that the dead know nothing?
• How does the story of Lazarus strengthen your faith in Jesus’ promise of resurrection?
• In what ways can you share the hope of resurrection with others?

✍️ Personal Application

• Spend time meditating on the hope of resurrection and what it means for your life.
• Write a letter to a friend or loved one explaining the biblical perspective on death and resurrection.
• Pray for opportunities to share the message of hope with those who fear death.

Session 4: Living with Hope

[1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Revelation 21:1-4]

📖 Opening Scripture

“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

💭 Teaching Summary

1. The Transformation of Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15 describes the transformation that believers will undergo at the resurrection. Mortal bodies will become immortal, and the perishable will become imperishable, offering hope beyond physical death.
2. The New Creation: Revelation 21 paints a picture of the new heaven and new earth, where God will dwell with His people. This vision promises no more death, sorrow, or pain, fulfilling the deepest longings of the human heart.
3. Hope in Christ: The sermon underscores that true hope is found in Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection provide the assurance of eternal life and the promise of a future free from the curse of sin.

❓ Discussion Questions

• What does the promise of transformation at the resurrection mean to you personally?
• How does the vision of the new heaven and new earth impact your current struggles?
• In what ways can you cultivate a living hope in your daily life?
• How can you encourage others with the message of eternal hope in Christ?

✍️ Personal Application

• Reflect on areas of your life where you need to experience transformation. Pray for God to work in those areas.
• Visualize what the new heaven and new earth might look like and journal your thoughts and feelings about this promise.
• Share your testimony of hope with someone who is experiencing hardship or despair.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope we have in Christ. Thank You for the promise of resurrection and the assurance of eternal life. Help us to live each day with this hope, sharing it with those around us. May Your Spirit strengthen us as we face life’s challenges, and may we always look forward to the day when all things will be made new. In Jesus’ name, Amen.