Reynard Way Community Group study on the Ascension – Participants Guide
The ascension of Jesus is one of those truths that we know we should believe – but we aren’t always
clear why it is important or quite what it adds to our Christian lives. Through this study we will
examine some of the key Bible passages that speak about Jesus’ ascension and consider what that
event meant for him and what it means for us today in our Christian lives and experience.
We will break down thinking about the ascension into four big areas.
The ascension and Jesus’ status
Read Ephesians 1:19-23, Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Peter 3:21b-22. What do we learn from these verses
about Jesus’ status now? How is the ascension a foretaste of Jesus’ final exaltation when he returns?
Why is it important for us to realise that this is Jesus’ status?
The ascension and our salvation
Read Ephesians 2:4-7. How does Paul connect Jesus’ ascension to our salvation? What does this
mean for our current spiritual standing? How should this comfort us?
Read Hebrews 1:3, 4:14-16, 6:19-20, 9:24, 10:19-25. Why is Jesus sat down ‘at the right hand of the
Majesty’? What does this show about our salvation? What do we learn in these verses that can help
us when we feel that we are too sinful for God or not welcome to come to him?
Read Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:23-25. What do we learn that Jesus is doing now he is ascended to
heaven? How does this comfort and help us?
The ascension and our Christian life
Read Colossians 3:1-11. How is Jesus’ ascension connected with our spiritual growth? What
practical difference should it make to our lives that Jesus is ascended? What application does Paul
draw from this (v5-11)? Which one particularly speaks to you tonight? Why?
Read Acts 2:32-36, Ephesians 4:7-16. What impacts does Jesus’ ascension have for the church in
these verses? How does that reassure us that Jesus will not let his church down? What are some of
the results of this equipping from the ascended Jesus?
Read Hebrews 12:1-3. How should Jesus’ ascension spur us on in our Christian lives to show
perseverance? How can you keep this truth at the front of your mind in tough moments in your
Christian life?
The ascension and our future
Read Hebrews 2:5-10. What status did God create humans with? What happened to upset that
status? How does Jesus fulfil that human destiny? What does this mean for our hope for the future?