THE FUTURE OF HOPE
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Mark 13:1-23 ESV
13 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
OUTLINE
- Jesus challenges the idea of hope (vs 1-2)
- Don’t be led astray (vs 3-6)
- Don’t be consumed by fear (vs 7-8)
- Don’t be distracted (vs 9-10)
- Don’t be filled with worry (vs 11-13)
- God is in control (vs 14-23)
- The Gospel is on the move!
TAKE-AWAYS
- What you __________________ is what you _____________.
- This passage is about _________________ and _________________.
- It is about the ________________________ and
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QUESTIONS
- How does Jesus respond to the disciple’s statement about the temple? (vs 1-2)
- What did the temple represent for the Jewish people and culture? How do you think that factors into Jesus’ response? (vs 1-2)
- Why do you think Peter, James, and John ask the follow up question later when alone with Jesus? (vs 3-4)
- How does Jesus respond? Why do you think He responds that way? (vs 5-6)
- Jesus warns His disciples not to be led astray. As a follower of Jesus, what things in your life often lead you astray from a focus on the Gospel mission? (vs 5-6)
- Jesus tells His disciples to not fear what is going to come, that it is all happening according to His plan. When you think about the future, what are the things you fear the most? How does Jesus want to meet you in that fear to bring hope? (vs 7-8)
- Jesus tells His disciples not to be distracted and not to worry. What areas in your life are you prone to distraction and worry? How has that impacted your ability to live on a Gospel mission? (vs 9-13)
- What does it mean to live life with a Gospel-centered mission? What specific steps can you take this week to live on mission?