Message for Sunday, December 8, 2019

STAND FIRM

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:4-14

Main Theme: Second Coming of Jesus, False Prophets, Reaching the lost
(See background information below.)

Guide for Crossroads Community Groups:

1. Welcome: Read the purpose of your group:

   Our purpose is to multiply groups. We do this by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom.

2. Worship: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Show a video with the lyrics, such as  Thank you Song.

3. Review:

   • What has God been telling you this week in your personal time with Him?

   • How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week?

   • With whom did you share what you learned last week?

   • Who did you invite to the group for this week?

4. Opening Question:
   Why is it important to tell people in your life about salvation in Jesus?

5. Introduction: Read the background information below.

6. Word: Read Matthew 24:4-14 aloud together. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story — keep at it until everyone knows the story.)

   • What key (important) words do you see in these verses?

   • Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

   • What are the details? What details can you add to what others in the group have said?

7. Discussion: Discuss together the questions below.

8. Application: For these questions, you may want to divide into two groups for males and females.

9. Prayer Time:

   • Pray for an empty chair, representing new people you want to join the group. Think of specific people to pray for by name.

   • Divide into two groups for males and females to pray for the needs of the members of the group.

10. For Next Time:

    • Assign group members who are ready to do different parts of the next meeting as you prepare them (opening question; prayer time; read background info; lead group).

    • Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.
      

Background Information

Background Information:

Jesus is coming back. 1 Peter 3:10 states, "But the day of the Lord (Jesus' return to judge the world), will come like a thief in the night (unexpectedly). The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” No one knows when Jesus will return. In Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus is preparing his followers by telling them what will happen before He returns. Jesus warns them:

• To not be deceived by false prophets

• To not be disturbed by catastrophic events like wars and earthquakes

• To not be surprised by persecution

• To not grow cold due to sin 

Instead Jesus encourages them to STAND FIRM to the end and be busy reaching other people.

Key Verse: And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. - Matthew 24:14

THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:4-14

Discussion Questions

1. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

2. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

3. What do you learn about people from the story?

4. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

5. What will you take away from this discussion?

6. What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)

7. As a result of this study what do you need to stop doing?

8. As a result of this study what do you need to start doing?

Commitment — Obedience — Application

1. Jesus taught you this today because someone in your life needs to hear it. With whom in your inner circle of relationships will you share what you have learned through this study?

2. What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?