Break the ice
Where is your favorite place you have gone to for vacation?
Small group questions
- What feelings come to mind when you think about Jesus’ return? Why do you think you are feeling this way?
- Read 2 Peter 3:2-10. What do these verses tell us Jesus’ return will be like?
The Day of the Lord Is Coming
2I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.
3Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”
5They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
8But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.[1]
Translation notes (1)
- 3:10 Other manuscripts read will be burned up; one early manuscript reads will be found destroyed.
3. Look at verse 9. Why is Jesus still waiting to return?
9The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
4. Read 2 Peter 3:11. How are we supposed to live while we wait for Jesus to return? What do these verses teach us about what happens when we “do everything without complaining and arguing”?
11Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live,
- What are different ways that we can live “holy and godly lives”?
- When you think about the different stages of getting ready for Jesus’ return, the destination phase, the planning phase, and the “I can’t wait to go phase,” Where do you see yourself? Why?
- Are you ready for Jesus to return? Why or why not?
Moving forward
As a group, commit to memorize 2 Corinthians 2:9 over the next week which says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” As you all take the next week to memorize this verse, let it be a reminder of how amazing heaven and eternity will be for those who place their faith in Him.
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