Fellowship Group Notes – 25/26 May 2011 		 	     Luke – 21:5-38: Troubles and triumph to come.
Having finished another day of teaching in the temple (v37), we find Jesus answering a couple of questions raised by his disciples as they stand admiring the temple (v5-7), which leads Jesus into a remarkable set of prophecies relating to the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the world and his own personal return to earth.
 
Nation Shall Rise against Nation (Luke 21v5-19)
- What does Jesus say will happen to Herod's Temple? (v5-6) When did this take place? 
- What kinds of signs will be seen that do NOT necessarily mean the immediate return of Jesus? (v7-19) Why are people tempted to see them as signs of the end? 
- What good results from a disciple's persecution and death, according to verse 13? 
- Why will people hate Christians? (v17) 
- If Christians will be condemned and executed, what does it mean, "Not a hair of your head will perish"? What does Jesus mean by this? 
- What does the phrase mean, "By standing firm you will gain life." (v19) Is this "faith by works" or something else?
Reflect and Pray: Christians are still undergoing persecution for their faith. Its estimated that 176,000 Christians were martyred for their faith between the middle of 2008 to the middle of 2009 (source: worldnetdaily). For prayer points see: www.opendoorsuk.org

Coming with Power and Great Glory (Luke 21v20-28)
- According to Jesus' teaching here, how is the destruction of Jerusalem related to the time of his return? (v20-24a) 

- Do you think there is a parallel here between the rejection of Jesus by the Jews followed by judgement and destruction of Jerusalem, and the future judgement of all mankind? Doesn’t this prophecy that was fulfilled in AD 70 show us the truth of Jesus’ words ... that what he says will happen will indeed take place?! 

[Note that the historian Eusebius says that before the siege of Jerusalem took place (AD70) the Christians did exactly as they’d been instructed by Jesus (v20-21) and escaped across the River Jordan to the city of Pella, avoiding being massacred by the Romans led by Titus in which 1,100,000 Jews were killed – Source: Josephus: The Jewish War] 
- What words are used in verses 25 and 26 to describe what will take place at the very end? What effects will these have upon people? 
- What will be the direct sign of Jesus' return? (v27)
- If fear will characterise unbelievers at these terrible signs, what emotion should characterise believers? (v28)
Watch and Pray (Luke 21v29-36)
- What is Jesus' reference to the fig tree supposed to teach his disciples? (v29-30) 
- Why does Jesus warn us of spiritually-dulling lifestyles? (v34) How can "the anxieties of life" be just as dulling as drunkenness? 
- What are Jesus' direct commands to his disciples in light of his teaching on the end-times? (v36) What will these commands do for us? What will they do for Jesus' cause? 
Look at the verses below and note how the apostle Paul lived out his life in light of Jesus’ command! (See: 2 Tim 4v7-8; 2v3, 1 Cor 9v24-27, Phil 3v12-14) Note that Paul is not going to allow himself to have his senses dulled by the temptations and lures of this life, but by watching and praying he longs to be faithful to God. How do our lives measure up?
- What does it mean, to "stand before the Son of Man" v36? What does that refer to? 
Prayer Points:
- For AIM Higher as they seek to share Mark’s gospel with the young people using ‘Christianity Explored SOUL’
- Evangelistic Supper with Rico Tice – June 27th								     gmr