Renewing a Vision for Revival
By Sandra Higley
Note: This Bible study is formatted for small group open discussion. If you use this study by yourself, we suggest you journal your answers to the discussion questions. Also, please use suggested translations where indicated. The website Biblegateway.com is an excellent source for translations you may not have on hand.
Years ago, I experienced a taste of what true revival may be like. As an intercessor daily involved in prayer, worship, and the Word—I couldn’t have been more surprised when God gave me this unexpected “deeper glimpse.”
Invited by a friend to hear a highly recommended guest speaker, I went full of expectations. To tell the truth, I don’t remember the speaker’s name now or what she taught on. On the drive home I was feeling blessed—but unsatisfied. I asked the Lord to reveal what He wanted to teach me from the service.
Suddenly, the power of the Holy Spirit overtook me in a wave of conviction that left me gripping the steering wheel to keep from veering off the road. I suddenly saw myself—really saw myself—and discovered there was not one thing I did that was not somehow tainted by self-promotion or self-centeredness. The passage “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6) became crystal clear. I labored under a powerful conviction that was so strong my dearest friends said they were afraid to get physically near me for fear they would “catch” whatever I had.
Simultaneously, I felt an intense awareness of God’s love—a bittersweet dichotomy of conviction and blessed assurance. Although I wept for a solid 24 hours, I didn’t want it to lift. I long for it to return. It forever changed my perspective on what our hearts truly look like apart from the redemptive work of Jesus.
Discussion Questions
As we watch the moral free-fall of our society, many have cried out to God for personal and national revival. Jim Jarman talks about the change in fervency and dampened expectations that define some of our intercession because the answer has been delayed. Hope seems lost. What do the following verses tell us about the importance of hope and maintaining vision? (Job 6:11; 30:26; Ps. 33:20; 62:5; 119:81; 147:11; Prov. 13:12; 29:18a; Jer. 29:11; Rom. 15:4, 13; Heb. 11:1) _____________________________________________________
Thinking on your own prayers for personal spiritual renewal/revival (as well as the prayers of others), what stifles or encourages your hope? _____________________________________________________
Read Luke 18:1–8. What does this parable tell you about Jesus’ thoughts on maintaining hope—especially in the end times? _____________________________________________________
When revival comes, it may not look like what we envisioned. History tells us that revival is marked by conviction and repentance. Jarman says he senses any outward shaking of revival “will be preceded by an inward [shaking] that changes the very core of [our] being.” How do the following passages bear witness that he is praying God’s heart when he prays, “Lord, do not callous my heart. Callous my knees”? (Ps. 51:10; Isa. 35:3–4; Ezek. 11:19; 36:26–27; Heb. 12:11–12) _____________________________________________________
Dan and Melissa Jarvis cite several examples of calls to absolute commitment in Scripture. Read the following verses, and share your thoughts on whether the road to revival may be paved with the same kind of surrender. (Matt. 19:21; Luke 9:23; 14:33; 1 Thess. 5:16–18) _____________________________________________________
The Jarvises point out that every time God restored His people with a fresh wind of blessing and power, two components emerged: they destroyed their idols, and they began to worship in a new way. Divide into small groups and assign each group one of the following passages. Read and highlight confirmation of these two components in these revival scenarios. Share your findings with the larger group and discuss: What idols do we cling to today? In what ways are we withholding worship from God?
- Genesis 35:1–15
- 2 Chronicles 15:1–15
- 2 Kings 11–12; 2 Chronicles 29–30
- 2 Kings 22–23; 2 Chronicles 34–35
- Ezra 5–6
- Nehemiah 9–12
The Church at Ephesus desperately needed revival. It was “busy, but barren—substituting routine for relationship,” according to Mark Partin. Read Revelation 2:1–6 and pinpoint its good attributes as well as the things Jesus held against them. _____________________________________________________
This same passage includes a prescription for revival. Partin identifies this remedy as remembering, repentance, repeating first works, humility, confession, seeking God, and abiding in Christ. Discuss where these principles come into play in the verses you just read. _____________________________________________________
Action Steps
Wesley Adams reminds us that the revival in the Hebrides came as a result of the earnest intercession of a pastor, his seven lay leaders, and two sisters in their 80s who prayed in desperation until the heavens opened and revival began. Read Isaiah 40:3 and Hosea 6:1–3. Spend some individual quiet time asking the Holy Spirit to show you what He wants you to do to personally prepare the way for revival.
I believe the Lord is asking me to: _______________________
How will you respond? ______________________________
Signature and date: __________________________________
SANDRA HIGLEY is a freelance editor and author living in Colorado Springs, CO.
