BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS

Opening Questions

1. Reflecting on Uncertainty:  Ken mentioned how fears from 2008 (nuclear threats, economic uncertainty, rise of China, global terrorism) are still relevant today. What current world events or concerns cause you the most anxiety? How does knowing “the end of the story” change your perspective on these concerns?
2. Personal Expectations: The early Christians expected Jesus to return in their lifetime, yet it’s been over 2000 years. How do you personally wrestle with the tension between Jesus’ promise to return “soon” and the passage of time? What helps you maintain hope?

Understanding God’s Timing

3. Divine Patience: According to 2 Peter 3:9, God’s apparent “delay” is actually His patience – “He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” How does this truth change how you view God’s timing in your own life and in world events?
4. Eternal Perspective: Peter writes that “a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day” (v.8). What are some practical ways we can develop more of an eternal perspective when we’re naturally bound by earthly time constraints?

The Importance of Remembering

5. Active Remembering:  Ken emphasized that “the ungodly deliberately forget” while “we must deliberately remember.” What are some specific ways you can “deliberately remember” God’s faithfulness and promises in your daily life?
6. Confidence Through History: How does remembering Christ’s first coming (His death and resurrection) strengthen your confidence in His second coming? Share a time when reflecting on God’s past faithfulness helped you through a difficult situation.

Living as Pilgrims

7. Recognizing the Trivial:  Ken mentioned that knowing Jesus is coming again helps us “recognize the trivial for what it really is.” What things do you tend to get worked up about that, in light of eternity, are actually trivial? How can you practically shift your focus?
8. Pilgrim Mentality: The sermon compared our earthly life to passing through an airport – we don’t pay attention to the decorations because it’s not our home. How can we live more like “pilgrims” while still being responsible stewards of what God has given us in this life?

Practical Christian Living

9. Wealth and Generosity:  Ken referenced the early Christian teaching about having “two coats” and challenged us about our comfort and wealth. How do you balance enjoying God’s blessings with the call to be generous and live simply? What practical steps could you take?
10. Purity and Holiness: First John 3:2-3 teaches that those who have hope in Christ’s return “purify themselves, just as he is pure.” What areas of your life need purification as you wait for Christ’s return? How does anticipating His coming motivate holy living?

Hope in Suffering

11. Trials and Perspective:  Ken shared Joni Eareckson Tada’s story about longing for Christ’s return because of her paralysis. How does the promise of Christ’s return and our future glorified bodies give you hope in current struggles or limitations you face?
12. Honest Self-Examination: The sermon ended with challenging questions: “Do you long for his return? What is it that you love so much that you hope his return will delay a little longer?” Take time to honestly examine your heart – what might you be clinging to that makes you less eager for Christ’s return? How can your group pray for and encourage each other in this area?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Icebreaker & Opening

1. Y2K Memories:   Ken opened by talking about Y2K fears that never materialized. What’s a time you worried about something that turned out to be much less serious than you expected? How did that experience change your perspective on worry?
2. Knowing the Ending:   Ken said “When you know how the story ends, it makes all the difference.” Think about a movie, book, or sports game where knowing the outcome changed how you watched it. How does knowing that Jesus wins in the end affect how you view current world events?

Personal Reflection & Sharing

1. Long Waits: We’ve been waiting over 2000 years for Jesus’ return. Share about a time you had to wait a long time for something important. How did that waiting period change you? What parallels do you see with waiting for Christ’s return?
2. Comfort vs. Longing:   Ken suggested that because we’re so comfortable in America, we don’t think much about “going there” (heaven). Do you find your level of comfort in this life affects how much you long for Jesus’ return? Why or why not?

Life Application

1. Trivial Things: The sermon mentioned that knowing Jesus is coming helps us recognize “the trivial for what it really is.” What’s something you’ve been stressed about lately that, in light of eternity, might be pretty trivial? How can we help each other keep perspective?
2. Two Coats Challenge:   Ken referenced the early Christian teaching that if you have two coats, you have one too many. Look around your life – where do you see excess that could be shared with others? What makes it hard to live more simply?

Relationships & Community

1. Scoffers and Patience: Second Peter mentions scoffers who mock the promise of Jesus’ return. Have you encountered people who ridicule your faith in Christ’s second coming? How do you respond with both truth and patience?
2. Flirting vs. Faithfulness: The sermon compared waiting for Jesus to a bride waiting for her groom – no flirting with other loves. What are some “other loves” that compete for our devotion while we wait for Christ? How do we stay faithful?

Practical Living

1. Pilgrim Priorities:   Ken compared us to travelers in an airport – we don’t redecorate because we’re just passing through. If you truly lived like this world isn’t your permanent home, what would you do differently? What would you stop doing?
2. Working While Waiting: The angels asked the disciples why they were standing around looking at the sky – they had work to do. What “work” do you believe Jesus has left you to do while waiting for His return? How can your group encourage each other in this?

Hope & Suffering

1. Perspective on Pain:   Ken shared Joni Eareckson Tada’s story about longing for Jesus’ return because of her suffering. How does the promise of Christ’s return and a glorified body give you hope in your current struggles or limitations?
2. Heart Check: The sermon ended with the question: “What is it that you love so much that you hope his return will delay a little longer?” This requires honest self-examination. What in your life might you be holding too tightly to? How can your group pray for each other about these attachments?

Deep Dive 6-29-25 (PDF)

Deep Dive 6-22-25 (PDF)

Deep Dive 6-15-25 (PDF)