Disciple IV
UNDER THE TREE OF LIFE (UTOL)
- A thirty-two week study of the Writings (Old Testament books not in the Torah or the Prophets), the Gospel of John and Revelation
- Final study in the four-phase DISCIPLE Bible study
- Address community and individual life
- Appeals to the senses and emotions through words, images, dance, music
- Taps into the power of Psalms with a psalm of the week
- Shows the distinctive character of the Gospel of John
- Provides a video-led worship experience of the book of Revelation.
Under the Tree of Life
The fourth phase of DISCIPLE concentrates on the Writings in the Old Testament – Ruth, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations and Daniel. New Testament Scriptures include the Gospel of John; 1, 2, 3 John; James; Jude; and Revelation.
The image of the tree of life frames the biblical story: In Genesis, in the midst of garden, but off limits. In Revelation, on either side of the river is the water of life, with fruit to eat and leaves for the healing of the nations.
The colour is gold. God symbolises the glory and majesty of God, an emphasis found throughout the Writings. A reference to gold in Job connects the biblical concept of being tested and refined with the idea of moving toward completion – “when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold” (Job 23:10). The image of light permeates John’s Gospel. We think of light as golden. And images of gold from the book of Revelation come quickly to mind: the measuring rod of gold, the street of the city that is pure gold.
Old Testament
The Hebrew version of what Christians call the Old Testament has three divisions: Torah (the first five books of the Bible), the Prophets, and the Writings. The Writings include all the books that are not part of the Torah or the Prophets.
- Redeem the Inheritance
- The Dream Restored
- Rise and Fall of Faithfulness
- To Build Again
- For Such a Time As This
- The Approaching Kingdom
- The Beginning of Knowledge
- The Path of Life
- Destined to Die
- Life Is a Gift
- A Just Complaint
- On God's Terms
- Affairs of the Heart
- Songs of Faith
- Songs of Pain
- Songs of Joy
New Testament
- The Word Became as Human Being
- Born of Water and Spirit
- Bread of Life
- Light of the World
- The Coming Hour
- Power to Bear Fruits
- Where No One Else Can Go
- Weeping Turned to Witness
- Our Life Together
- The Power of the Tongue
- Vision of End Time
- Letters to the Churches
- What Must Take Place
- The Power of Evil
- A New Heaven and a New Earth
- Under the Tree of Life
The Revelation Worship Video
The Revelation Worship Video is a component unique to DISCIPLE: UNDER THE TREE OF LIFE. Worship plays a central role in the book of Revelation. Through video, UNDER THE TREE OF LIFE participants will experience the book of Revelation as worship. The video provides an interactive, sensory experience. Viewers will participate by reading, singing, listening, praying, and lamenting and will be immersed in the words, images, colors, and music that declare triumphantly that the God who is at the beginning is the God who is at the end.
This video worship experience proclaims that the book of Revelation is a message to embrace and a hope to anticipate. It is the climax to the journey DISCIPLE participants made from Creation to the New Jerusalem. The Revelation Worship Video, more than an hour in length, will be used in Session 31. The video is not optional. It is intended for the group meeting, and each study group needs access to it.