Welcome back to our small group study! John Barnett here. I want you to imagine we are sitting right across the table from each other, maybe at Panera or Starbucks, with our Bibles open and our notebooks ready.
Today, we are answering a highly practical question: how did Jesus actually tell us to apply all these prophetic studies? Are we supposed to build a bunker, hoard gold and cryptocurrencies, or buy a gas mask to hide from the world in fear? Absolutely not!
I am incredibly excited to introduce a class that shifts our focus from end-times panic to faithful action. Let me walk you through three memorable, life-changing truths we will unpack together:
1. The Urgency of the Fig Tree: Watch and Beg in Prayer
Scripture References: Luke 21:29-36; Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3.
Summary of What’s Covered: We kick off the class by looking at Jesus’ parable of the fig tree in Luke 21. He tells us that the generation that sees these end-time events beginning will still be alive when it all wraps up, meaning it will happen incredibly quickly. Our immediate response shouldn’t be to hide, but as Jesus commanded, to "watch therefore and pray always". We will explore the specific Greek word for prayer used here—dei—which literally means to "beg," showing us the intense earnestness God desires in our prayers. Best of all, we will learn from Revelation that Jesus collects every single one of our prayers in a bowl right in front of His throne, motivating us to pray without ceasing!
2. The Ultimate Investment: The Hundredfold Return of Sacrificial Giving
Scripture References: Woven throughout Christ’s teachings on giving and rewards.
Summary of What’s Covered: Next, we look at how to invest our resources for eternity. While worldly investments like the stock market and cryptocurrencies can crash over a weekend and lose billions of dollars, Jesus guarantees that what you give to Him will never rust, be corrupted, or be lost to taxes. He promises to multiply sacrificial gifts a hundredfold. I will share how Bonnie and I routinely sit down to discuss how we can increase our financial investment in the Lord’s work, reminding us that God doesn’t just measure the size of the gift, but the true sacrifice it requires to give it.
3. The Only Cargo for Heaven: Winning Souls and Humble Service
Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 2:19; Daniel 12:3; Mark 14:3.
Summary of What’s Covered: Finally, we look at the most important tasks we are called to do before Christ returns. You can’t take your money with you to heaven, but there is one thing you can take: the people you share the Gospel with!
We will look at Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, where he calls those he led to the Lord his "joy" and "crown of rejoicing". I will strongly challenge you to find and carry simple Gospel tracts filled with Scripture so you are always equipped to win souls. We will also discuss the profound value of humble service—such as feeding the poor at a rescue mission—because Jesus promises to remember our service and guarantees we will never lose our reward.
If you want to stop living in fear of the future and start living with a holy ambition to pray, give, serve, and win souls for Christ, you need to grab your Bible, get your Gospel tracts ready, and let’s enthusiastically get to work for our coming King!
From FTGC-22h – https://youtu.be/S14BkDrtH1s
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