Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Revelation 22:1-5), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [1-2] Read Genesis 2:4-14; Ezekiel 47:1-12; John 4:10. The river of the water of life cleans, revives, refreshes. It is a picture of the life of God flowing to Christians through the Spirit. In the New Eden, this life-giving water will be easily and constantly available to all. Even now, this life-giving water flows through us to others (John 7:38). Why is water important? Why is it important as a symbol? What does it symbolize in our relationship with God? How do you drink the water of life? How do you share the water of life with others?

• The river flows from the joint throne of God and the Lamb, from the rule of the Triune God in union with the crucified-and-risen God-man, from the place where the authority and sovereignty of God and Jesus are worshiped. (In Ezekiel’s vision, the river flows from the temple, where God dwells with his people.) What is the nature of the authority we see in the Triune God and the Lamb? What is it about the joint throne, the shared throne, the communion of God and man in universal authority, that gives life to others? Can we find true, life-giving water to drink apart from the river flowing from this throne? Do you still try to do that anyway? How? Why?

• [3] Read Genesis 3. “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the city], and his servants will worship him.” God cursed humanity—and the world—because we rebelled against his rule. Things fall apart when we don’t submit to God, when we don’t serve God, when we don’t worship God. What are some examples of the curse still at work in your life? In our culture? In the world? Can you imagine these accursed things being gone from all reality someday? What would that be like, do you think?

• [4-5] Seeing God face to face, and seeing all reality in the light of his presence, will make us new and—finally—equipped to reign together with God forever. Can you reign over something you do not understand? Can you truly understand anything apart from seeing it in the light of God, in the light of Jesus and the Gospel? How, even in this life, does it help you to see reality in light of God? Do you understand that seeing the face of God is an incredibly gracious privilege? Is it a privilege you care about?