Deep Valleys, Dark Shadows
Life Group Discussion Guide
Week 5 – No More Valleys – 15 November 2015
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV)
When I Find Myself Deep in a Valley, I Can Find Strength in God by
Leaning Into:

What in this world makes it the most difficult for you to
find hope, and why is that? (For example – politics;
terrorism; financial crisis; etc.)

What or who causes your hope to be drained? How do you
deal with that issue or person?

As we have looked at valleys and trials over the past several
weeks, are there any areas in which your thinking has
changed when it comes to trials? If so, how? Or has
anything become more clear for you?

Read Revelation 21:1-5, and Revelation 21:22 – 22:5. What
is God saying to you through this passage today?

When John had these visions and wrote the book of
Revelation, he had been exiled because of his faith. How
do you think the vision of the new heaven and new earth
may have ministered to him in his circumstances?

What do the following verses tell us about how we are to
view heaven: Matthew 6:9-10; Matthew 6:19-21; John 14:14; and Revelation 4:1-11? How do these truths compare
with what society and pop culture tell us about heaven?

What are you looking forward to the most about heaven?

Meditate on Revelation 22:1-5 each day this week. Ask God
to fill you with anticipation for what your future holds.
Assurance from my past – David
The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me
from the hand of this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:37 (NIV)


Appreciation in my present – Paul
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

Anticipation for my future – Jesus
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the
pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1b-2 (NIV)
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had
passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her
husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is
now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God
himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There
will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed
away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he
said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” …Then the angel showed
me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of
the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the
tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the
tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God
and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face,
and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need
the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will
reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5 (NIV)
My valleys are always temporary; My joy is eternal!