Sermon Study Guide: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
I. Introduction: The Sermon’s Core Message
- Title: What is the title of the sermon? What does it suggest about the sermon’s content?
- Central Theme: In your own words, what is the main point or argument of the sermon?
- Key Components: What are the three main time periods or topics the sermon addresses (as indicated by “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”)?
II. Yesterday: Lessons from the Soviet Union
- Historical Context:
- What specific historical events in the Soviet Union does the sermon focus on? (e.g., the Holodomor, the persecution of the Kulaks)
- What years are emphasized?
- Ideology:
- What ideology is identified as the driving force behind these events?
- How did this ideology view the peasantry?
- What were the key concepts used to justify the persecution of the Kulaks (e.g., “class consciousness”)?
- Key Figures:
- Who are the key figures mentioned in connection with these events? (e.g., Lenin, Stalin, Walter Duranty)
- What role did each of these figures play?
- Truth and Propaganda:
- How was truth suppressed in the Soviet Union?
- What role did propaganda play in shaping public opinion?
- What is the significance of the newspaper “Pravda”?
- Lessons Learned:
- What are the key lessons the sermon draws from this historical period?
- How does the sermon connect these events to the present day?
III. Today: Cultural Marxism and Critical Theories
- Cultural Marxism:
- How does the sermon define “cultural Marxism”?
- What are some of its manifestations in contemporary society?
- Critical Theories:
- What specific critical theories are mentioned in the sermon? (e.g., critical race theory, critical gender theory)
- What are the core tenets of critical race theory, according to the sermon? (e.g., “permanence of racism,” “whiteness as property,” “interest convergence hypothesis”)
- How does the sermon critique these theories?
- Social Division:
- How do these theories contribute to social division?
- What groups are identified as “demonized” in contemporary society?
- Impact on Institutions:
- How are these ideologies influencing educational institutions and other organizations?
- What is “cancel culture,” and how is it related to these ideologies?
- Biblical Response:
- What is the sermon’s proposed biblical response to these ideologies?
- What scriptures are used to support this response? (e.g., the creation of all people in God’s image)
IV. Tomorrow: Prophetic Warnings and the End Times
- End-Time Prophecy:
- What biblical passages are cited to describe the end times? (e.g., Daniel 12:1, Revelation 12, Revelation 13)
- What key events are predicted to occur before Jesus’ return? (e.g., a time of trouble, persecution of the saints, the appearance of Satan)
- The Issue of Worship:
- How does the sermon emphasize the importance of worship in the end times?
- What is the significance of the “mark of the beast” and the “seal of God”?
- Deception:
- How will Satan deceive people in the end times?
- What are the “lying wonders” mentioned in the sermon?
- How can believers avoid being deceived?
- Standing Firm:
- What does it mean to “keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus”?
- How can believers prepare themselves for the challenges of the end times?
- The Ultimate Choice:
- What is the ultimate choice that people will face in the end times?
- What are the consequences of each choice?
V. Conclusions and Application
- Summary of Main Points: Summarize the key points of the sermon in your own words.
- Personal Reflection:
- What part of the sermon resonated with you the most?
- What challenges did the sermon present to you?
- What specific steps will you take to apply the teachings of the sermon to your life?
- Call to Action: What is the sermon’s overall call to action?
VI. Key Scriptures
List all the scriptures referenced in the sermon transcript. Choose 3-5 that you find particularly important and study them in their full context.
VII. Further Study
- Books Mentioned: List the books mentioned in the sermon (e.g., “Harvest of Sorrow,” “The Great Terror”). Consider reading one or more of these books to deepen your understanding of the topics discussed.
- Topics for Further Research: Identify any topics from the sermon that you would like to explore further (e.g., critical race theory, end-time prophecy, the history of the Soviet Union).