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Mark 13:24-37 ESV
“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning — 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
Sermon Discussion Guide
Big Idea:
Until the day of Christ’s return, we’re to live holy and godly lives, looking forward to the day when Christ will descend to earth on the clouds. Though the heavens and earth will pass away, God’s Word will endure as we experience his promises to us fulfilled - a new heavens and earth, a world filled with God’s righteousness. Until that time, remember that God is being patient with us so that we - his people - have time to proclaim the gospel to others so they might call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.
THOUGHTS FROM THE SERMON
Read Mark 13:24-37. What stood out to you in the reading?
How were you impacted by the message this week?
How can we live in the present (with all of its trials and difficulties) and keep our eternal future in mind?
Read Mark 13:24-27, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18, and Hebrews 9:27-28. Do these words encourage you?
Read Mark 13:28-31, Isaiah 40:6-8, Hebrews 4:12, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. What does it mean to you that the Word of God will not pass away?
Read Mark 13:32-37 and 2 Peter 3:8-15a. What are the consequences for not being on guard and staying awake so you’re ready for the return of Christ?
NOTES
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Do you get caught up in what is going to happen and how will all of this end instead of keeping your eyes fixed on Christ and his return?
Do you live as if there’s still time before Christ will return?
Is there someone you have been wanting to share the gospel with so that they might call upon the name of the Lord and be saved?
How could you apply what you learned from the sermon to your life today?
How can your group hold you accountable this week? How can they encourage you?
DEEPER
Pray: Share with your group someone that you want to share the gospel with. Commit to praying over this for each other throughout the upcoming week. At your next meeting, follow up with each other’s prayer requests.
Write: Write out Mark 13:24-37. Take time to reflect on this passage. Visit The Gate to view the sermon manuscript to review the message.
Sing: Visit Songs for the Weekend Gate article and listen to the worship songs from Sunday throughout the week. Look up the lyrics to each song and spend some time reading them as well.
Memorize: As a Life Group, pick a few verses from the sermon and memorize them this week. (Mark 13:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:5-18; Hebrews 9:27-28; Isaiah 40:6-8; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 119:105)
Love: How can your group show the love of Christ to our community in the coming month?
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