Bible Study Guide
Sunday, September 18, 2016 Coming of Christ Matthew 24:2944; Bible Study Guide The Coming of the Son of Man 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 “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. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Observe.
What are some obvious points in the text?
Ask.
What questions does the text raise?
Gospel
How does the text point to the gospel?
Apply.
How does the text apply at home, church, school, work and recreation?
Share.
With whom can I share the text?
Interpretation Jesus’ teaching in this passage is called the Parousia, which means the Second Coming of Christ. While there is much debate on the signs and timing, what is more important is to take note of the intent of His teaching. Why is it important for you and I to know of His coming return? He teaches that because He is coming back, we must be ready. There will be no time for repentance when He comes, for when He appears, the end of time will be upon us. He says, therefore, to be ready and watchful. This does not mean that we attempt to figure out the exact time. Rather, we rest confidently knowing that He is coming and that He calls us to live faithfully until that time. Jesus uses the example of Noah as a warning. While Noah lived faithfully before the Lord, building the ark for hundreds of years, men and women ignored His call to live righteously and the flood came upon them in an instant. In the same way, Christ calls us to live faithful lives for His return is imminent. Faithful Living: Living in Light of His Return Read Psalm 9 ● How does this Psalm help form a Godcentered worldview for us? How does the Psalmist contrast Godcentered living with selfcentered living? ● What does the Psalmist believe about God and the end of things? Read Romans 8:2832 ● How does Paul help us understand salvation as it relates to being assured of God’s goodness and provision for the future? According to this passage, why can salvation never fail? ● Pressing further, how does this understanding of salvation cultivate assurance about the future in our hearts and minds? What does doubt and fear teach us about our view of God? Read 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ● What are Paul’s instructions for living in anticipation of Jesus’ return? Do they support Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:111 ● How does this passage support Jesus’ words from Matthew 24? What does he say about those who will be surprised by the Lord’s return? The Big Picture The Lord does not call us to a passive life. We are not to be caught up in the cares of the world that lead us to a neglect of holy living. Jesus is very clear: He will return. There will be no announcement beforehand. When He comes, that is it. Men and women will be called to account for their own holiness. This is why Jesus instructs us to be about the glory of God now, for those who treasure Christ with their whole lives now, the Lord’s return will be a joyous day! For those who neglect God for the love of self, that day will be a day of judgment. The warning He offers is an act of mercy and grace. The day is coming, so be ready. Prayer Focus Personal Holiness The Bible is clear that holiness before the Lord is of utmost importance. In Christ, we have been made holy, and in light of eternity, we are called to disciplined holiness. Pray this week that we would be people marked by holiness. Pray that the Lord would give you a great concern for your own holiness. Pray that He would use your own pursuit of holiness to draw others to faith. Pray that your family sees your holiness. Pray that the Lord would use Parkwood for the sake of His glory. Pray that our eyes would be firmly set upon the coming of Jesus!
Observe.
What are some obvious points in the text?
Ask.
What questions does the text raise?
Gospel
How does the text point to the gospel?
Apply.
How does the text apply at home, church, school, work and recreation?
Share.
With whom can I share the text?
Interpretation Jesus’ teaching in this passage is called the Parousia, which means the Second Coming of Christ. While there is much debate on the signs and timing, what is more important is to take note of the intent of His teaching. Why is it important for you and I to know of His coming return? He teaches that because He is coming back, we must be ready. There will be no time for repentance when He comes, for when He appears, the end of time will be upon us. He says, therefore, to be ready and watchful. This does not mean that we attempt to figure out the exact time. Rather, we rest confidently knowing that He is coming and that He calls us to live faithfully until that time. Jesus uses the example of Noah as a warning. While Noah lived faithfully before the Lord, building the ark for hundreds of years, men and women ignored His call to live righteously and the flood came upon them in an instant. In the same way, Christ calls us to live faithful lives for His return is imminent. Faithful Living: Living in Light of His Return Read Psalm 9 ● How does this Psalm help form a Godcentered worldview for us? How does the Psalmist contrast Godcentered living with selfcentered living? ● What does the Psalmist believe about God and the end of things? Read Romans 8:2832 ● How does Paul help us understand salvation as it relates to being assured of God’s goodness and provision for the future? According to this passage, why can salvation never fail? ● Pressing further, how does this understanding of salvation cultivate assurance about the future in our hearts and minds? What does doubt and fear teach us about our view of God? Read 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ● What are Paul’s instructions for living in anticipation of Jesus’ return? Do they support Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:111 ● How does this passage support Jesus’ words from Matthew 24? What does he say about those who will be surprised by the Lord’s return? The Big Picture The Lord does not call us to a passive life. We are not to be caught up in the cares of the world that lead us to a neglect of holy living. Jesus is very clear: He will return. There will be no announcement beforehand. When He comes, that is it. Men and women will be called to account for their own holiness. This is why Jesus instructs us to be about the glory of God now, for those who treasure Christ with their whole lives now, the Lord’s return will be a joyous day! For those who neglect God for the love of self, that day will be a day of judgment. The warning He offers is an act of mercy and grace. The day is coming, so be ready. Prayer Focus Personal Holiness The Bible is clear that holiness before the Lord is of utmost importance. In Christ, we have been made holy, and in light of eternity, we are called to disciplined holiness. Pray this week that we would be people marked by holiness. Pray that the Lord would give you a great concern for your own holiness. Pray that He would use your own pursuit of holiness to draw others to faith. Pray that your family sees your holiness. Pray that the Lord would use Parkwood for the sake of His glory. Pray that our eyes would be firmly set upon the coming of Jesus!
