THE SON OF MAN COMING

Key Verse: 21:27

* SIGNS OF THE END OF THE AGE (5-19)

1. What did the disciples think about when they looked up at the temple--and at those who put money in the temple treasury? How did Jesus see these things? What did he predict? Why did he say this?

2. What questions did the disciples ask Jesus about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age? (7) Why did they ask this?

3. How did Jesus answer? (8) How can we avoid being deceived by materialism? (1-6) What else did Jesus warn the disciples about? Who or what are some of the false messiahs of our time? Of what is this a sign?

4. What are some signs of the end that make people fearful? (9, 10, 11) Why should we not be frightened? How does fear make us vulnerable? How can we overcome fear?

5. What will happen before this? Who persecutes Christians? Why? (12.) How is persecution an opportunity to glorify God? (12b-15) What must we make up our minds about before persecution comes? How does God promise to help us? (15)

6. Who will betray Jesus' people? (16-18) Why will people hate us? What should we do when we are persecuted, betrayed and/or hated? (18,19) (see also Mt 5:10,44,45a)

* THEY WILL SEE THE-SON OF MAN COMING (20-36)

7. Read verses 20-24. How should they regard the destruction of Jerusalem? (6; 19:41-44) What should they do? Who would suffer most? Why should we not despair when terrible things happen? (Ro 8:28) To what might "until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" refer? (Ro 11:25)

8. Read verses 25-28. What are the signs and what is the great event which all nature and all nations await with trembling? (Compare 2 Pe 3:10) How will most men respond? What must be the response of God's people? (28) Why?

9. Read verses 29-32. What can we know when we see these signs? What does it mean that the kingdom of God is near? What does it mean for self-seeking rebels against God? What does it mean for God's people?

10. Read verses 34-36. Of what should we be careful? How can we escape all that is about to happen and stand before the Son of Man? How can we see the world from God's point of view and keep on loving Jesus and each other? What must we do until he comes?