Leader Guide week of 11-4-07

Small Group Leaders Guide
November 4, 2007

Small Group Announcements (please announce these to your group).

Harvest Festival was lots of fun. Thanks to all who helped!!

Small Group Study Questions:

November 4, 2007
It’s The End Of The World As We Know It And I Feel Fine
It All Starts With An Earthquake

Getting Started:

1. What’s your favorite end of the world movie?


Going Deeper:

2. Does knowing that Christ could return at any time encourage you or discourage you? Why?

3. Is there something about the way you are living that you would change if you knew for sure that you were living in the “end times”? What would you change?

4. The Bible describes the end times as times of trial. Mark 13:19-20 describes them as days of distress unequalled to anything the world has ever seen. Matthew 24:10 talks about people turning away from the faith, and being deceived. We want to be people who “stand firm to the end” (Matthew 24:13). How does that happen? What promises, truths or commands do we have that help us as we think about standing strong to the end.

5. Read John 1:29. What is the significance of John’s use of the word, “lamb” in this passage?

• Acts 8:32-35
• 1Corinthians 5:7
• 1Peter 1:18
• The lamb reference from John the Baptist refers to the Passover lamb. For that story, read Exodus 12:1-14

6. In the book of Revelation, when we get a snapshot of heaven, Jesus is pictured many times as the Lamb, particularly, the lamb who was slain. Why is it, in heaven, among the heavenly beings, He is remembered as a lamb? What is the significance that the last book of the Bible puts so much emphasis on Christ as the lamb who was slain?

• 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
• 5:12 In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!"
• 7:17 For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

7. According to Rev 17:14 Jesus is “Lord of lords and Kings of kings” The book of Revelation also describes Jesus as a mighty warrior. Read Revelations 19:11-16. What images of Christ do you see in this passage?

Putting it into practice:
1) What do you think Jesus most wants us to know about the end times based on what you have read in the Bible? Pray about that in your groups.

Quote Of The Day
One does not surrender a life in an instant. That which is lifelong can only be surrendered in a lifetime.
--Jim Elliot