The Best is Yet to Come Part 1

TALK-IT-OUT

Go through each main point and scripture from the message and use the corresponding questions in discussion with your group. Encourage your group to pull this post up on their own device to follow along.

POINT 1: WE BELIEVE IN A COMING KINGDOM.

Psalm 37:9-11
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. 

TALK-IT-OUT: What do you think this verse is saying to you about how to live your life?

Matthew 13:31-33
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

TALK-IT-OUT: Describe how you see God's kingdom starting really small and/or getting really big?

POINT 2: WE BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF BIBLE PROPHECY/PREDICTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FULFILLED.

Here is an example of some prophecies that have already been fulfilled but are commonly misinterpreted as still yet to come. All of these are from Matthew 24:

Matthew 24:2
Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.

Matthew 24:6
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Matthew 24:9-11
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 

Matthew 24:24
False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive.

Matthew 24:29
The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

Matthew 24:34
Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

TALK-IT-OUT: When did Jesus say all of these things would happen?

NOTE: We believe that these scriptures were fulfilled with the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 during the First Jewish-Roman War. 

TALK-IT-OUT: Why do you think that people interpret this scripture to be talking about a future event, specifically the end of the world?

POINT 3: WE BELIEVE THE CHURCH WILL INCREASINGLY BECOME MORE  POWERFUL AND WILL SUCCEED IN ITS MISSION

TALK-IT-OUT: Why is it important that we believe the church will succeed in its mission?

TALK-IT-OUT: What can you do to further contribute to the success of the mission Jesus has called us to?