America and Babylon – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : Babylon has always been the capital of false worship. Babylon wants to be worshipped by the whole world.
1. Have a volunteer read Revelation 13:3-8.
A. Ask class members to share what the most important point of this text is.
B. What does it mean to worship something? How is the world going to worship the dragon and the beast?
C. Personal Application : How can we be faithful to the message we have been called to preach in a way that causes as little offense as possible? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How do you know here that the beast is the Roman Catholic Church? Are there clues, or is your church just against the Catholics?” How would you reply to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Revelation 13:11,12.
A. Ask class members to share what the most important point of this text is.
B What clues help us to identify what power this is speaking of?
E. Personal Application : With all the anti-police and anti-government forces today, how can we preach the message without being accused of being anti-American? Share your thoughts.
F. Case Study: One of your friends states, “If the Catholic Church is the beast, and America forms an image to the beast; how is America going to force everyone to worship the Catholic Church? America is basically a Protestant nation.” How would you reply to your relative?
3. Have a volunteer read Revelation 14:9-11.
A. Ask class members to share what the most important point of this text is.
B. What characteristics of false worship are rampant in Christian churches today that may lead to destruction?
C. Personal Application : How can we be sure we are not involved in any false worship now? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What is the beast? What is his image? And what is his mark? I heard it is a computer chip that goes under the skin.” How would you reply to your relative?
4. Have a volunteer read Revelation 18:1-4.
A. Ask class members to share what the most important point of this text is.
B. What is Babylon and why is it important that we share this message with those in Babylon?
C. Personal Application : Why is it important for us to see that God calls those in Babylon, “my people”? Is it safe to leave God’s people in Babylon? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with that person.
(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared. MH p. 149)