Date: May 1, 2022
Know What’s Coming
The Point: Even in the darkest times, God has not abandoned His people.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
Rob Sanchas is a legally blind runner, training to compete in the 2022 Boston Marathon (April 18). But he does not run alone. He runs tethered to a guide who keeps him going in the right direction and prevents him from running into obstacles. Sanchas lost his vision in a freak bungee cord accident in 1988. At first doctors thought his vision would stabilize but by 2010, he was declared legally blind. In 2016, he was at a meeting where he heard a speaker talking about running while tethered to a guide. Sanchas knew he wanted to try running with a guide. “I started out by walking and then increased to walking and jogging before progressing to running. The feeling of freedom and the ability to just let go of my thoughts and feel like everything is alright keeps me going.” Sanchas’ sighted guide is Jeremy Howard. Together they have been training with the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon as their goal.
Say: Rob Sanchas can enjoy running despite his vision loss, knowing that he is not alone. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you been glad to discover you were not alone?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.boston.com/community/readers-say/2022-boston-marathon-rob-sanchas/
Get Into the Study Option (from Adult Leader Guide, p. 109)
To introduce the icebreaker question, play a video illustrating an unexpected appearance by someone special. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #3.
Drew Miller is the CEO of a company named Fortitude Ranch. The company offers year-round lodging in a network of ranches where people could escape in the event of a disaster like a nuclear bomb, a terrorist group releasing a deadly disease, or the country’s energy grid crashing. If a catastrophe happened, these ranches become fortified survival communities where Miller’s clients can take refuge. It’s kind of like a timeshare that becomes a fortified bunker in case of a disaster. Clients make a down payment of $1,850 and then pay dues starting at $1050 every year. So far there are Fortitude Ranch locations in West Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Texas, with Miller working to add more locations. Miller’s motto is ”Prepare for the Worst … Enjoy the Present.”
Say: Drew Miller’s clients are preparing for times of trouble by purchasing a spot in a fortified bunker. Then call attention to Question #3 (How can we be prepared for times of trouble?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
— Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Study the Bible Option (from Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide, p. 46)
After discussing with students God’s final judgement, for a creative way to discuss what might happen in the future, consider prior to the session, securing a way to watch a video, and obtain some small prizes, such as pieces of candy. Show this video and follow the instructions on page 46.
Live It Out (Option from the Daily Discipleship Guide, p.153)
As you begin the Live It Out section, display an image of a building emergency evacuation plan (click here for the link). Say, “Many public buildings have an emergency evacuation plan on display. In the event of a sudden emergency that requires evacuation, people can look at the plan and go to the nearest exit. The value of this map is that it can help us when time is short and we must act quickly.” Share that Jesus spoke of the end times to help us know what’s coming and to prepare us to act quickly.
Live It Out Option (from Adult Leader Guide, p. 116)
To close the session, ask members to reflect on times they felt they may have been abandoned by God. Invite two or three volunteers to share their experiences and how they arrived at hope in God’s presence and power. Then play a song that speaks to God’s presence and close in prayer.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- When have you been comforted by someone’s presence?
- Whose presence always brings you comfort?
- What Bible verse or passage brings you comfort when you feel alone?
Matthew 24:15-16
- What are some of the things we often hear about the end times?
- How does the prophecy found in these verses display God’s concern for His people?
- How does it make you feel to know that God has a plan for the end times?
Matthew 24:17-20
- How do you typically react when faced with the sudden onset of trouble?
- What are the practical implications of Jesus’ second coming being urgent?
- How will these verses impact the way you pray about the end times?
Matthew 24:21-22
- How would you summarize what Jesus said in these verses?
- When have you seen God’s mercy in times of distress?
- How should we pray for and about end times?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Leave a Reply