20231203 - ADVENT Make Some Noise - Now In A Minute

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The Passage: Mark 13:24-37
The One Thing: Now In A Minute
Growgroup Discussion Starters
Know
K1 “Now in a minute” is a typical Welsh phrase. Can you think of any Canadian phrases that might sound strange to outsiders?
Grow
G1 Mark 13:24-37 uses apocalyptic language that modern ears are unused to hearing. How does Jesus’ description of the cosmic catastrophes that will accompany his return strike you? Are these visions simply employed as dramatic descriptions of his arrival or should we expect a shaking of the heavens replete with falling stars and a veil of darkness?
G2 Jesus calls his followers to keep their eyes open, to stay awake, and to be vigilant in their watch for him. In what ways do we do this? In what ways do we neglect this?
G3 What are some Christian practices that we might employ to be prepared for Jesus’ return?
G4 What role might intentional action play in keeping watch, i.e. how do we actively participate in seeing God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven?
G5 Although the church has historically linked Advent with both the incarnation of God and the return of the Son of Man, many of us, in practice, celebrate it as a build up to the arrival of Christmas.
G6 What might Advent look like for us if it became a watchful waiting for the return of Jesus? How might that reform our practices in Advent?*
Show
S1 When it is all said and done, does it really matter to our daily life that Jesus promised to return? With over two millennia of pacing back and forth, looking at the clock, and towards the heavens, has the church given up on his return? Should the church give up on his return? If it did, how might that impact its faith in the here-and-now? Why might it be crucial to our faith to expect Jesus to make good on his promise?* *https://thepastorsworkshop.com/yearb23-advent-1/