Date: May 22, 2022
Keep Serving Faithfully
The Point: Serve Christ faithfully as you wait for His return.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
At the recent Winter Olympics held in Beijing in February, a number of older athletes competed with some of them winning medals. For athletes like this, those over the age of 35 are considered “older.” There were at least 140 older athletes competing at this Winter Olympics.
Lindsey Jacobellis, age 36, and Nick Baumgartner, age 40, made history when they won a gold medal at the mixed team snowboard cross event. In this event, a male and female snowboarder team up to compete together. Jacobellis had already won a gold medal in snowboarding at the Olympics, making her the oldest American woman to win gold at the Winter Games. Baumgartner’s win in the team event meant he was the oldest snowboarder to win a medal at an Olympic Winter Games.
Baumgartner said “You’re never too late to take what you want from life and follow your dreams,” he said. “You let yourself down if you quit too early, doesn’t matter how old you are.”
Say: Baumgartner and Jacobellis “never quit” in their pursuit of an Olympic victory. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you seen a “never quit” attitude on display?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/12/1080338798/older-athletes-break-records-at-the-2022-beijing-olympics
Get Into the Study Option (from Adult Leader Guide, p. 139)
To introduce the icebreaker question, play a video illustrating a “never quit” attitude. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #2.
In January 2022, author Johann Hari published a book titled Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention – and How to Think Deeply Again. The book builds the case that we live in a world with more and more artificial distractions vying for our attention. He says that our long-term attention and our ability to focus is being hijacked by these artificial distractions, especially social media.
Say: With all the distractions tugging at our attention, it can be hard for us to always be alert to the really important things in our lives. Then call attention to Question #2 (What are the dangers of not being alert to Christ’s return?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://wdet.org/2022/03/04/you-cant-pay-attention-and-its-not-your-fault-according-to-new-book/
— 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.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- Who do you know that serves God and others well?
- Who or what comes to mind when you think of faithfulness?
- When have you spent a lot of time preparing for an event, accomplishment, or something else?
Matthew 24:42-44
- What are the dangers of not being alert to Christ’s return?
- What does it mean to be alert in anticipation of Christ’s return?
- Although Jesus does not give a specific date of His return, what has He given us to help us prepare for His return?
Matthew 24:45-47
- What does it look like to keep doing your work faithfully until Jesus returns?
- What does faithfulness to a God-given task look like?
- How can viewing ourselves as servants of God change the way we approach our responsibilities?
Matthew 24:48-51
- What choices can we make now to be ready for Christ’s return?
- What are some differences between a faithful life and a prideful life?
- How can our group help one another keep serving faithfully?
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.
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