Teaching Notes: On Revival

Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.

Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.

These teaching notes are from a study about Revival.

[These notes are from a study taught more than 40 years ago. The notes are in outline form.]

1) What is true revival?

It is a new beginning of obedience to God.
It is a renewed love for God and His Word.
It is a renewed faith in God.

2) How can I know when my church needs revival?

Does your church lack a spirit of genuine love among the brethren? Then it needs revival!
Is there a worldly spirit in the church? Then it needs revival!
Are any members living in gross sin? Then it needs revival!
Are sinners in this community careless and unconcerned about spiritual things? Then it needs revival!
Do the wicked triumph over the church? Then it needs revival!

3) When can we expect revival from God?

When wickedness grieves, humbles and distresses Christians.
When Christians pray as if their hearts were set upon revival.
When Christians confess their sins one to another.
When Christians are willing to make every sacrifice to carry it on.

4) What can we do to see revival come to our hearts and church?

Confess every sin against God to God and every sin against people to those people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with His love, joy and peace.

5) What are some of the sins that we should confess and ask forgiveness for?

Lack of love – “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love … If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” 1 John 4:7-8, 20
Judging – “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:1-2 … “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” Romans 2:1
Bitterness – “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:15
Unforgiving spirit – “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
Pride – “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5-6
Selfishness – “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others … For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” Philippians 4:3-4, 21
Boasting – “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
Rebellion and Stubbornness – “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” 1 Samuel 15:23

Other sins to confess –

disobedience
ungratefulness
impatience
discontent
covetousness
murmuring
complaining
jealousy
strife
anger
wrath
hatred
bodily harm
murder
gossip
lying
profanity
idle words
evil thoughts
complacency
hypocrisy
worshiping other gods
lost first love
worry
fear
unbelief
unfaithfulness
neglecting prayer and study of God’s Word
lack of desire to share the Gospel
irresponsibility
laziness
slothfulness
inhospitable
temporal values
cheating
lust of the flesh
lust of the eyes
pride of life
adultery
homosexuality
illegal drugs
witchcraft

6) How will we know when revival really comes?

Members will love one another as Jesus loves
Members will be joyful under crosses and disappointments and pain.
Members will grow jealous for the honor of God and for the purity of His Church
Members will think of others before themselves
Members will grow closer to the things of God and further from the things of the world
Members will not speak severely or judge others unlovingly
Members will have a growing tranquility under sudden and crushing life circumstances
Members will want to share the Gospel with others
Members will see conviction of sin in their church and community

[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from more than 40 years ago. My prayer is they will be a blessing to you and your ministry.]