Date: May 15, 2022
Trust God’s Timing
The Point: Jesus is certain to return even though we don’t know exactly when.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
On December 21, Matthew Jaurequi was hiking in a California canyon when he lost his footing on a patch of ice and fell 150-feet down the mountain. Jaurequi was injured and needed help. But he had lost his cell phone in the fall, so he had no way to call for rescuers. Jaurequi tried to move himself to a safer spot. As he was moving, he felt something hard in the snow. It was a cellphone. But it wasn’t Jaurequi’s cellphone. The phone he found had been lost by another hiker. Three days earlier, that hiker had also fallen and lost his phone in the fall.
When Jaurequi found the phone it had 1% battery left – enough to call 911 for help. “Hitting that spot is like one in a billion,” said Jaurequi’s friend, Dusan Ancich. “On a whole mountain — a frozen phone on the middle of the hill.”
The phone’s owner, Jeaffreson Guevara, was found and his phone was mailed back to him. Guevara’s wife said, “The phone was meant to be there.”
Say: Matthew Jaurequi’s fall was bad. But his timing in finding the lost phone with 1% battery left was great. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you seen for yourself that “timing is everything”?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Get Into the Study Option (from Adult Leader Guide, p. 129)
To introduce the icebreaker question, play a video illustrating how “timing is everything.” Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #4.
With the headlines filled with news of Russia attacking Ukraine, some Christians are suggesting that the invasion might be part of God’s plans for the end of the world. People who focus their attention on end-times events have frequently believed that Russia will play some role in events that unfold in the end times. These Christians are saying that the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine might be part of God’s plan for the end of the world.
Greg Laurie, who pastors a megachurch in California, has said he sees “prophetic significance” to what is happening with the Russian invasion. And Pat Robertson, founder of Christian Broadcasting Network, has said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “compelled by God” to invade Ukraine.
Say: Some people look at world events and see signs of the end times. Then call attention to Question #4 (How is it actually helpful that Jesus didn’t give us a specific time or date for His return?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2022/03/10/russia-putin-end-of-the-world/
— 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 for Young Adults (Young Adult Leader Guide, p. 137)
In advance, make or download several road signs that indicate dangerous conditions ahead: Road Closed, Hazardous Conditions, Road Flooded. Display them in your meeting room. Point out the signs to the group and ask for other examples of signs they have seen that indicated some sort of unknown hazard ahead. Ask group members what they would do if they came upon one of these signs while driving. Allow time for as many members as possible to respond.
Stress the fact that in spite of not knowing the exact details regarding the road, the best response is to trust the sign. Apply this to believers and our response to God’s Word regarding the return of Christ.
Sign can be found at unsplash.com/s/photos/road-signs.
Study the Bible Option (from Advanced Bible Study Teacher Guide, p. 54)
After pointing out to not speculating about the timing of Jesus’ return, try illustrating the point by doing the following: prior to class, obtain refreshments, three crisp one-dollar bills. Watch this video clip to learn the illustration and practice with someone prior to the class. Follow the instructions on page 54.
One option is to show the video to your class.
Live It Out Option (from Adult Leader Guide, p. 136)
To close the session, prepare a recording of the song “The King Is Coming” or some other song about Jesus’ Second Coming. After playing the song, ask members to discuss how they know Jesus is coming again and what it means to them personally. Then close in prayer.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- When in your life have you had to wait for something really special? What made it worth the wait?
- Who in your life is always good at keeping their promises? How does this affect your relationship?
- When it comes to waiting, do you consider yourself a patient or impatient person?
Matthew 24:32-33
- Since we do not know exactly when Christ will return, how should we respond?
- How can these verses give us greater clarity and confidence as we wait for the Lord?
- How can seeing the signs of Christ’s return promote hope for believers?
Matthew 24:34-35
- What do these verses mean for the importance of Scripture in our lives?
- How can our attitudes and actions express trust in God’s timing?
- Why is it important for us to trust that Jesus will return one day?
Matthew 24:36-41
- Why is Jesus’ seemingly delayed return beneficial to both unbelievers and believers?
- What does this passage teach us about what to expect at the time of Jesus’s return?
- If no one knows when Christ will return, what can we do to prepare for it?
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.
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- HomeLife – Woven
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
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