Scotland’s Forgotten ReVIVAL

11min 17sec
Documentary

What do you associate with the word revival?

Did you know that the time following the signing of the National Covenant in 1638, although it was a reformation, was also the greatest revival throughout the whole nation that Scotland has ever experienced? It went deeper, further and lasted longer than any other – over twenty years.

The second part of the programme looks at the impact that revival had on the lives of individuals, congregations as well as the British Isles as a whole. Journey with us from Edinburgh through Ayrshire to London to discover how lives and communities were transformed. What are the lessons we can learn today from seeing what God did in great power in the past?

People do not often associate this period of history with revival. Scotland’s Forgotten Revival tells a story of God blessing the ordinary means that He has appointed for the Church such as preaching and teaching. Did you find anything surprising?

bible study

Dig

Deeper

Read 2 Chronicles 7:12-22

It is interesting that Israel are a people called by God’s name (v14) or literally “on whom my name is called” which has the meaning of dedicated to Him. This is what the nation sought to do in covenanting with God during Scotland’s Forgotten Reformation.

Why would God punish the nation by withholding His outward blessings? (v13)

What other ways might God punish a nation? Despite the differences between Old Testament Israel and our nation today – what lessons can we draw from this?

People today seem reluctant to say that God might be punishing us in outward calamities that the nation experiences. Why do you think this is and what do you think the right approach should be?

Are we inclined to think that the problems that our nation faces can be fixed by solely human means?

How would you define God’s people? (v14)

What do you think is involved in humbling ourselves before God? (v14)

Is this speaking about confessing sin in general or specific sins? (v14)

What is required over and above confessing sin? (v14)

What is the danger of praying for revival and for God to bless and restore us as a nation without specific repentance?

What would happen if obedience to God was neglected? (vv17-21) How do these principles apply to us today? How much of our national problems come from the failure of many in the Church to obey God?

The temple was going to be destroyed ultimately because of their disobedience. Can we learn lessons today in relation to the outward and spiritual decline of the Church in our nation and people forsaking church attendance? What has weakened the Church in our day?

God’s focus is on His worship, Word and commandments, what hope and instruction does this give to us today? (v15-18)

“The Bible makes it clear that we cannot expect to enjoy God’s blessing if we are willfully disobedient to him.”

Matthew Vogan

EPISODE TWO

Study

Resources

Revival Pamphlet

This small booklet shows how the Second Reformation period was was not only a period of radical reformation and rediscovery of Biblical truth in the Church of Scotland. It was also the period of greatest revival throughout the whole nation that Scotland has ever experienced. There are 7 key points that demonstrate the truth of this claim.

(A5 Pamphlet- 12 pages)

Purchase Pamphlets (£1 for 3 copies)