BUILDING BLOCKS OF A CHURCH: Ready for His Return

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon by Rev. Rich Tiner, at the Grace Place on Sunday, August 31, 2014. To get the most from these questions, go to http://www.graceplace.us and click on “Streaming.”  From there you can watch or listen to the service first.

These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as the topic for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us.

Fellowship: (Break bread with your community, share life from last week, announcements for next week)

Icebreaker: (Get to know your fellow believers a little bit better using this week’s topic)

When have you been gone from your home or hometown a long time?

What was your experience when you returned?

How did people react to your return?

Scripture: (Read the word together – use different readers, different versions, just read it

John 14:1-6

Lesson: (Delve deeper into the Word and into the sermon using open-ended questions)

Leaders:  End time beliefs can vary widely.  The church of God reformation movement teaches the A-millennial doctrine but we also believe in unity of all believers.  Don’t be drawn into an argument over these differences.  Keep your discussion based on how we can prepare ourselves and others for the end.

We don’t normally think about the end of time.  If we do think about the end, it is our personal end or death that we consider.  Our days are spent thinking about the next thing not the last thing.  We need to wake up from our slumber and open up our eyes.  (Romans 13:11 and “Slumber” by Needtobreathe)

What perilous times are we experiencing now?

Why does it matter that someday this world will come to an end?

How do we know when to be ready?  (Matthew 24:44)

Why should we care about the end of time?  (Romans 13:11)

Why should we share the Gospel with others?  (Matthew 24:14)

How should we feel about the end of time? (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18)

“Every second that slips away from us to the dusty pages of history leads us closer to the coming of the Lord and the end of this world.  Are you ready?  Are those who live in your house ready?  Are your neighbors ready?  Are you relatives ready?”  This Glorious Church, Robert Lawrence, Warner Press, 1987.

Prayer: (Share each other’s burdens, become a community of believers)