The Flood, the Death Penalty, and the End of the World Youth Bible Study

Brief: Sin has a punishment, but we have hope.

(Printable Student Sheet)

 

Needed: nothing

 

Scripture: Genesis 9:5-17; John 8:1-11; 2 Peter 3:10-13

Read Genesis 9:5-6

What does God say should happen to someone who kills another human being? (They should be killed as a punishment.)

Why does God demand this punishment?

It is fitting to have such a punishment because of the special status humans have. Humans have been made in the image of God. To kill an image-bearer of God is an insult to God. Just like destroying a United States flag is disrespectful to the United States.

If God here demands people to be killed for killing other people, why do you think some Christians view capital punishment (the death penalty) as wrong?

Read John 8:1-11

Some Christians think the death penalty is wrong because Jesus refused to put this woman to death when the law said that she should be. But there’s an important difference here. This woman was going to be stoned by a mob of people. She wasn’t going to have a trial. The authorities weren’t the ones punishing her. If the authorities had arrested and tried her and found her guilty, Jesus might not have objected to the death penalty.

If we’re going to have a death penalty, it needs to be carried out by the proper authorities.

Read Genesis 9:8-17

In these verses, what does God promise not to do ever again? (He promises not to destroy the world with a flood again.)

Does this mean that God will never again destroy the world? (No.)

Read 2 Peter 3:10-13

The Bible tells us that God will one day destroy the world. Then, it will not be with a flood. It will be with fire.

What will happen after the fire? (God will make a new heavens and a new earth.)

It will be the place “where righteousness dwells.” All the Christians who were resurrected or who were alive when Jesus returned will never die again. They’ll live on the new earth with God. It will be what this Earth was supposed to be before sin entered the world. It will be perfect, as God intended.

What does Peter tell us we’re supposed to do while we wait for that to happen?

We’re to live holy and godly lives. We’re to serve God by being different from the world that’s going to be destroyed.