[1]NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Bible Studies For Life curriculum.
Bible Passage: Matthew 24:23-31
Discussion Questions:
- Whose voice can you recognize instantly in a crowd?
- What are some ways to guard against spiritual deception?
- How does Jesus’ imminent return give you hope?
Food for Thought:
I have fond memories of summers growing up. I played outside most of the day with neighborhood friends. One place we lived was near a creek beside some woods. My friends and I would be gone for hours playing in that creek. My mother had a recognizable Southern accent. When it was time for dinner, you could hear all the neighborhood mothers out on their porches calling for their kids. No matter how far down the creek I was, I could always hear Mom’s strong, distinctive voice call my name. There was no mistaking her voice or her call to me.
[2]The false messiahs and false prophets will not be able to pull off deceiving Christ’s followers. They will attempt “to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Satan has never been able to deceive true believers about the identity of their Lord. As Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29).
One day Jesus is coming back, and the signs of His return will be clear and unmistakable. It will be obvious! Christ’s return will be a powerful, can’t-miss event. Matthew gave us a great reminder that the true Messiah’s coming will not be secret or hidden. His coming will not be seen by only a select group; it will be visible to all. When you hear thunder or see lightning in the sky, you do not usually wonder what it is. That’s what Jesus wanted to make clear. We will not wonder what is happening when He returns. There will be no mistaking it! Jesus’ return will be sudden and visible. When Jesus returns, I’ll gladly welcome that moment to “go home” and be with Him. In Matthew 24, Jesus told us what that day will be like.
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life connects the Bible to life for adults, students and kids. Bible Studies for Life helps individuals and groups know God’s Word through trustworthy content, creates biblical community through engaging and conversational group studies, and helps people engage the culture missionally by unpacking what the Bible says about real-life issues. More information can be found on the internet at biblestudiesforlife.com [3].
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by Lifeway can be found at Lifeway.com/SundaySchool [4] and Lifeway.com [5].