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The Place of God’s Kingdom in the New Testament

1. CONNECT

   10min
   All too often, sincere Christians are unaware that the kingdom of Christ will fulfill the geographical destiny of God’s kingdom that began at the creation of the world. Some progress was made during Old Testament times, but nothing compared to what Christ accomplishes in the period of the New Testament. In earlier sessions, we considered God’s kingdom in the Primeval History and in the nation of Israel. In this session, we’ll begin to look at God’s kingdom in the New Testament. In particular, we’ll look at the place of God’s kingdom during the New Testament period.

2. Reflection

   Jesus ministered on earth by proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23). The good news he proclaimed was that he was overcoming humanity’s failures and accomplishing his heavenly Father’s purpose to spread his kingdom to the ends of the earth. When we think about the hope of our Christian lives, we often think that our destiny is to live our lives on earth so that when we die, we will spend eternity in heaven. But, when we look closely at the New Testament, we find that our ultimate goal as followers of Christ is to see Christ spread God’s kingdom throughout the earth and to reign forever with him in that kingdom. Grasping this New Testament teaching will radically reorient everything in your Christian life.

3. Guiding Question

   What place do you envision when you think about the kingdom of God today?

4. WATCH

   15min

5. DISCUSS

   15min
   1. Our lesson says that, “Christ’s followers have their citizenship in heaven rather than in earthly kingdoms because, at this moment, our king Jesus is in heaven.” Read Philippians 3:20. Will this heavenly orientation be true even after Jesus returns in glory? Explain your answer.
   2. Jesus’ earthly ministry began at the geographical center of God’s kingdom that was first established in the land of Eden and later in Israel’s Promised Land. What terrible things had happened in this part of the world for hundreds of years between the Old and New Testament periods?
   3. How do Jesus’ words in Luke 4:17-19 point to what Jesus did during his earthly ministry to bring the final stages of God’s kingdom to the earth?
   4. How does the global expansion of God’s kingdom in Christ parallel the original goals God revealed to Adam and Eve and later passed on to the nation of Israel?

6. APPLY

   15min
   1. How would you define “the good news of the kingdom”?
   2. Read 1 Cor 15:51-55. If our bodies will be raised imperishable, what does this tell us about the ultimate place of God’s kingdom?
   3. What impact should Jesus’ promise of God’s worldwide kingdom have on our daily lives?

7. CHALLENGE

   Write down five ways the New Testament emphasis on expanding the kingdom of God on earth challenges you to reconsider the priorities of your life now. Finish with a time of prayer.