Break the ice
What is your favorite disaster movie about the end of the world? Why is it your favorite?
Small group questions
- Why do you think people often guess about the day and time of Jesus' return?
- Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. What are some things that these verses teach will happen when Jesus returns?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[a] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
- How do these verses encourage you when you think about the return of Jesus?
- Verse 18 says, “Therefore encourage each other with these words.” How can we as a small group encourage each other when we think about Jesus returning?
- Read Luke 12:35-40. What does Jesus warn us about in these verses?
Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming
35“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.[1] But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
39“Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Translation notes (1)
- 12:38 Greek in the second or third watch.
- How are followers of Jesus supposed to live while we wait for Jesus’ return?
- What is one way that you specifically can be ready for the return of Jesus? (Maybe this is sharing your faith, spending time praying, reading your Bible, or being sure to obey Him by the way you live)
Moving forward
When we think about Jesus’ return, one of the most important things that we can do is tell others about Him so that they can be ready for His return as well. Who is someone you can share about your faith in Christ with by sharing your two-minute story of the difference Christ has made in your life? Share this with your group and spend some time praying together that these people will come to know Christ and have a relationship with Him.
Loading saved progress…
Your place is saved in this browser. It will not follow you to another device, and clearing browser data removes it.