Throughout this study on the return of Jesus, you have probably felt that studying the end times can be intense. Thinking about the chaos that will happen on earth and how Satan will deceive many can feel heavy. If you have felt this, there is good news today. For those who have placed their faith in Christ, we can be encouraged as we think about His return and not be fearful or worried.
Break the ice
What is the longest you have ever waited for your meal to arrive at a restaurant?
Small group questions
Bible study questions
- What is it about the topic of the end times that makes people feel worried or concerned?
- Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. What do these verses teach us about God’s will regarding salvation?
Believers Should Stand Firm
13As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first[1] to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 14He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Translation notes (1)
- 2:13 Some manuscripts read chose you from the very beginning.
3. Read Ephesians 1:13-14. What promise are followers of Christ given when they place their faith in Jesus? How does the Holy Spirit help us in our walk with Christ?
13And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[1] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Translation notes (1)
- 1:13 Or he put his seal on you.
4. Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5. What do these verses teach is part of the purpose of followers of Christ?
Paul’s Request for Prayer
1Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. 2Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. 3But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. 5May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
Application
- How does the reminder that God chose you to be His follower encourage you as you think about the return of Jesus?
- How have you experienced the Holy Spirit helping you in your walk with Christ? How does the Holy Spirit’s presence encourage you as you think about the return of Jesus?
- What is one way that we as a group can encourage one another to persevere?
Moving forward
As we think about three of our purposes found in 2 Thessalonians 3, to pray for each other, to share Jesus with others, and to persevere in our faith, which one of these comes most naturally for you? Which does not come as naturally? How can you take a step to walk into that purpose that needs growth this week?
Going deeper
Before Jesus left earth and returned to heaven, He had a message for His disciples: “Don’t let your hearts be
troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” (John 14:1). Jesus was calling His disciples to a life of faith. He calls
us to this same life of faith today. The Christian life is a life of faith, which is a word that we use very often. We talk
about faith so often that if we are not careful, it loses its meaning. Today we are going to dive into faith, what it
means, and how to respond in faith to our faithful God.
Word Study
According to A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Early Christian Literature by Ardnt, Danker,
Bauer, and Gingrich, the Greek word “pistis” can be defined in a number of different ways:
- “that which evokes trust and faith”
- “state of believing on the basis of the reliability of the one trusted” and “trust, confidence, faith in theactive sense”
- “that which is believed, body of faith/belief/teaching”
After reading through the different definitions of faith, take a few minutes to discuss the things that stood out to
you about this word we use so often.
- Which of the above definitions surprised you the most when it comes to faith?
- Describe the reliability of God, the one who is trusted, when it comes to our faith in Him.
- How does faith carry with it a sense of action on our ends, the ones who are faithful?
Faith and Salvation
Scripture makes it clear that salvation is not possible without faith. Let’s take a few moments to read 2 passages
of Scripture that teach us about the role faith plays when it comes to our salvation.
- Read Ephesians 2:8-9 in the New International Version and the New Living translation. According to theseverses, what saves us as followers of Christ?
- Read Acts 16:31. How would you describe faith after reading this verse?
- How does this understanding of faith give you confidence as you think about the end times?
Faith and Prayer
We are saved through faith. That truth is made clear throughout Scripture. Faith certainly does not stop when we place
our faith in Jesus. Faith carries over into all areas of our lives, including prayer. Take a few minutes to read Paul
and Timothy’s example of what it looks like to pray in faith and discuss it with the questions below.
- Read Colossians 1:9-14.
- What did Paul and Timothy, the writers of Colossians pray for in these verses?
- What evidence do you see of confident faith as they describe their prayers?
- What does your understanding of faith as “the state of believing on the basis of the reliability of the one beingtrusted” play in to your view of faith and prayer?
Who do you know who needs the hope of Jesus that comes from placing their faith in Him? Take a few minutes to share as a group the people God has placed in your life who are far from Him. Pray for them together. Pray that they would be receptive to God’s message and grow in their faith and knowledge of Him. As you pray remember who you are praying to: a faithful, reliable, and trustworthy God who hears us when we pray and responds faithfully every time.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."
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