This document provides guidance for conducting a chapter summary Bible study using three questions: 1) What does the chapter say? 2) What does that mean to me? 3) What am I going to do about it? It then gives an example study of Revelation chapter 21, summarizing the key points of the chapter in 3-4 sentences for each section. The overall message encourages believers to choose to follow and serve God by devoting themselves daily to teaching, fellowship, prayer and communion.

1. BETHANY BAPTIST BIBLE
STUDY
Welcome! We are glad you are here!
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to do this, we will teach you as we go!

2. HOW TO DO A CHAPTER
SUMMARY BIBLE STUDY
Three Easy Questions

3. CHAPTER SUMMARY
Three Questions when you read the chapter you wish to study:
1. What does the chapter say?
2. What does that mean – specifically – to me?
3. What am I going to do about it?
Some add an optional memory verse as a part of the process to help them retain
what God has said to them.

5. REVELATION 21
KV 22: Reality comes to Earth at last
1 - 8: God will dwell among humankind
9 - 14: The Wife of the Lamb - New Jerusalem
15 - 21: New Jerusalem Described
22 - 27: Reality instead of types and shadows

6. THINGS TO REMEMBER!

7. THINGS TO REMEMBER!
Remember – at least four six(!) levels to understand!
1. To the believers at that time in that place (Historical context)
2. To all the churches (Ecclesiastic context):
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches .”
3. To all believers (Homiletic context):
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
4. To world historical events (Prophetic context)
5. The Symbolism and interpretation thereof (Symbolic context)
6. Geopolitical context (won’t say much here)

8. BIBLE STUDY PRINCIPLES
Some principles of Bible study:
• Take the text in context
• Be sure of literal or symbolic interpretations
• Don’t be afraid to ask the Author ;)
• Cooper’s first rule of Interpretation:
• If the plain sense of Scripture makes good sense, then seek no other sense!

9. REVELATION 21
God will dwell among humankind…
Some amazing things here:
• New Jerusalem is revealed (more shortly)
• Pain and sorrow are no more
• There will be no more death
• New heavens and new earth
• Amazing things!

10. REVELATION 21
The Wife of the Lamb – New Jerusalem…
The picture here is to give an idea of the size compared
to the planet. Big, isn’t it? Some features include:
• External brilliance like precious stones
• Great and high wall with 12 gates and 12 angels
• Each gate names a tribe of Israel
• Twelve foundation stones, one for each apostle
• It’s amazing to consider! And there’s more…

11. REVELATION 21
New Jerusalem Described…
This picture captures some of the detail and ethereal
glory of the city itself.
• The city itself is 1500 miles cubed
• The wall around it was 72 yards thick
• Walls made of precious stones and pure gold
• Each foundation a different precious stone
• Each gate made from a single pearl (Imagine the
oysters that must have made those pearls!)
• Streets made of pure gold

12. REVELATION 21
REALITY instead of types and shadows at last…
• No temple – God Almighty and the Lamb are the
temple
• No sun or moon – God has lit it with His Son, the
Lamb of God!
• The nations of the earth bring their glory to it
• The gates remain open perpetually
• There is no more evil in it
• Everyone’s name shall be in the Lamb’s book of
Life!

13. SOME THOUGHTS TO ENTERTAIN
1. 1 Cor 2:9 says “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has entered into the heart
of man what God has prepared for they who love Him.”
2. We do not live in the “real” world right now. Actually there is some basis for this
in Physics, and the phrase “the only true God” may also be translated as “the only
REAL God.”
3. This REAL world is coming, and in it, there will be no more evil, or pain, or
suffering. Death will even cease to exist. The really GREAT news is that we can be
a part of it. First, we must be saved, or justified. After that, we must become his
disciples, or be sanctified. Only as we satisfy these two conditions will we truly be
glorified.
This brings me to the main point…

14. THE MAIN POINT
We need to make sure we qualify to be there! And this is a three-step process:
1. We must be saved. Remember, there isn’t a thing that we can do to save
ourselves – we must accept the substitutionary sacrifice God provided for us in
Jesus for our sinfulness.
2. After that, we have the ability to choose for God and His interests instead of our
own. We must learn what He wants us to be doing – and then do it, no matter the
cost, be that financial, emotional, or even physical, right up to death.
3. Jesus said if we were faithful to death, he would give us the crown of life. Think
about that – it’s what He did for us! And it should motivate the same kind of
response in us for Him. And THAT is a CHOICE.

15. THE MAIN POINT
All choices have consequences. When you make your choice, you choose the
consequences.
So choose:
“If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today
whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were
beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for
me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NASB)

16. THE MAIN POINT…
Believers in Jesus have a UNIQUE, God-given right and ability to follow Jesus and
choose for Him. We, as His disciples NEED to choose for Him. But how?
Acts 2:42 – “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and
to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
We must cultivate this attitude with these activities daily.

17. AND THAT’S ALL FOLKS!