Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Jesus' sure and sudden return calls for wholehearted loyalty and persevering prayer.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 17:20-18:8

1. Did this sermon help you in your understanding of what the Kingdom of God is? How so?

2. How does Daniel 7:13-14 shed light on what Jesus meant when he spoke of “the kingdom of God” and “the Son of Man”?

3. The coming of the Son of Man will be unmistakable to all (17:22-25). Why do you think Jesus wants his disciples (including us) to know this? What does this truth help guard against?

4. The coming of the Son of Man will be unexpected by many (17:26-30). In mercy, Jesus is warning his people, lest we be numbered among those who are not ready for his return. How can we help one another guard against complacency and against living with no sense of urgency (as those in Noah’s and Lot’s day did - until it was too late)?

5. The coming of the Son of Man will be for salvation and judgment (17:27, 29, 34-35). Apart from God’s grace, we can be inclined to think that we’re really not all that bad, and certainly not worthy of God’s judgment. How might we use the truths taught in this passage to help unbelievers see both the sober reality of coming judgment and the salvation Christ offers?

6. One rightful response to what Jesus shows us in this passage about his return is to live with wholehearted loyalty to God. Is there a specific area of your life in which you are okay with something less than wholehearted loyalty to God? Please share. What would be a good next step toward change in this area?

7. Another rightful response in light of the second coming of the Son of Man is persevering prayer to God (18:1-8). Are there things you have prayed for, and yet God has not answered the way you hoped he would? Have you found yourself tempted to give up praying, and “lose heart”? Please share.

8. It was said in the sermon that “the key to not losing heart (in prayer) is the character of God.” What aspects of God’s character would you say are most important for you to be mindful of as you seek to persevere in prayer until the Son of Man comes again?

9. What might be some ways we can encourage one another to persevere in prayer until the Son of Man returns?

Prayer