Read Mark 13:28-37

1. Christians will often say, ‘We’re definitely living in the last days!’ Do you really believe that we are? Why?
2. What are the most striking changes that you’ve noticed over the past decade or so? How has the way society thinks about things changed? Is this for the better or for the worse? How has technology changed us? Are we better for it? How have believers in this generation changed? How about the way Christian teaching is received by society? Do you see a change there? How do you think this current generation views matters of religion and faith? Why do you think this is so?
3. When you consider these times, how does it make you feel? Excited? Anxious? Sad? Hopeful? Something else? Why do you think you feel this way?
4. In Matthew 24:3-4, Jesus’ disciples went to Him privately and asked, “when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Before listing the signs, Jesus answered, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” Why do you think Jesus said this first? How can we guard against being led astray?
5. Why did Jesus warn us beforehand about these signs? Why do you think He is still waiting to return for us?
6. How important do you think Spiritual Warfare is in these anti-supernaturalistic days? (See Ephesians 6:10-11, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, 1 Peter 5:8-9 & James 4:7.)
7. Perhaps the most important question of all is this: ‘How should we live in light of the end times?’ Brainstorm this with your group? How should we live? What should we be doing? (see 2 Peter 3:11 & 1 John 3:2-3)
8. Can we follow God, and still follow culture?
9. Jesus’ coming will be a wonderful blessing for believers, but a disaster for those who have rejected Him. Paul’s message to believers is crystal-clear:

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ⁶ On account of these the wrath of God is coming. ⁷ In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ⁹ Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Colossians 3:5-10).

What does this tell us about God’s expectations for those whom He’s delivered from death?

10. Would you say that your heart is on fire for God, or has some ‘luke-warmness’ set in? You may not be asleep to the nearness of the Lord’s return, but are you at times a bit drowsy? What are some of the things that foster spiritual drowsiness? What can you do about that?

11. Are you actively looking for opportunities to be used by God? If you knew that the Rapture was coming at noon this Sunday, how would you spend the next few days differently than you will?