Moving from The Physical Kingdom of Israel to The Spiritual Kingdom of God.
Luke 21
Icebreaker: Describe a time in your life when you made a life-altering change in the direction your life was going.
Introduction:
Jesus is in the final days of his physical presence on the earth. He has, in the last several chapters of Luke, told the disciples about the coming Kingdom of God. Jesus has predicted his death to the disciples three times, (Luke 9:21, 9:44, 18:31-33). He has also explained about His resurrection.
Read Luke 21:1-4. The Widow’s Offering
Narrative: As Pastor Dave pointed out in the sermon on Sunday, Jesus had the day before cleared the moneychangers from the outer court of the temple. Now, Jesus is in the women’s court of the temple area observing as people contribute to the temple treasury. This widow did not tithe, she gave all that she had to live on. She gave her money to a corrupt system and corrupt religious leaders. This money will be used to build the temple, which Jesus informs the disciples will be completely torn down at some point in the future.
- How are two very small copper coins more than the much larger gifts that the rich were giving?
- Does it matter that she gave her money to corrupt people operating the temple? Why or why not?
- What is the difference between how people look at giving and how God looks at giving?
- What is your attitude toward giving? How can we change the attitude of our hearts, with respect to giving, and grow in our relationship with God?
- How has God changed your mind in any aspect of giving with this story?
Read Luke 21:5-6. The Destruction of the Temple
Narrative: Some of Jesus’ disciples were admiring the beauty of the temple, which is a symbol of the physical Kingdom of Israel, and the Old Covenant presence of God among His people. The temple was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts which were given by the people as a gift to God. Jesus tells the disciples who were admiring the temple that the temple, the stones, and gifts would be gone. While the beauty may be important to us, it is not important to God. (1 Sam. 16:7)
6. Pastor Dave pointed out that we cling to earthly icons that will not last. What systems and structures are you clinging to that may not have a lasting place in God’s kingdom?
7. How do you think that what Jesus said about the temple relates to our gifts to God?
8. Why do you suppose God had His temple in Jerusalem destroyed and what has replaced this temple? (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
9. What is the significance that one stone was not left on top of another? What does this say about God?
Read Luke 21:7–24 When Jerusalem is to be destroyed and signs that accompany.
Narrative: This section pertains to the destruction of Jerusalem. The disciples naturally want to know when the temple is to be destroyed and how they are to recognize the events that indicate the time is coming. The disciples experience persecution in the Early Church and we will continue to experience persecutions until the age of the Gentiles is fulfilled (Luke 21:24).
There is a coming persecution. They will seize you, persecute you, hand you over to synagogues, put you in prison, and bring you before governing authorities, on account of Jesus’ name. The disciples were to make up their minds not to worry about what to say. Jesus says, “For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”
Christians will be betrayed, and the betrayal will go down even to family members and include death for some. Everyone will hate the disciples because of Jesus.
10. Why do you suppose it is that everyone will hate us because of Jesus? Have you experienced any hatred because of your faith in Jesus Christ?
11. Jesus said, “They will put some of you to death,” and “But not a hair of your head will perish.” Is there a contradiction here? Why or why not?
12. What does the time of the Gentiles mean to you?
Read Luke 21:25-33 The Signs of the second coming of the Son of Man
Signs of the return of the messiah are given in the heavens, on earth, and in people. As Pastor Dave pointed out, God will enable us to face persecution either by giving us the words to say, or by saving us after martyrdom.
13. What are the signs of Christ’s return that you are looking for?
14. What signs do you see in the news that indicate that the time is near?
15. Why do you suppose that God is going to give signs before the Second Coming?
16. What are we as Christians supposed to do when we see these signs?
17. Have you ever thought about the possibility of martyrdom? What do you think is the most difficult part of martyrdom?
18. How would you explain the parable of the Fig Tree? What does it mean to you? (Luke 21:30)
Read Luke 21:34-38 Exhortation to watch and pray
Now that the disciples understand and are warned that these things are going to happen, they are exhorted to “Be Careful” (v.34) and “Be always on the watch and pray” (v.36). The chapter ends by explaining that Jesus taught in the temple every morning and slept in the Mount of Olives every evening, and that the people came to hear him early in the morning.
19. Verse 34 says, “Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life”. What are the things weighing your heart down?
20. What can we do to release the issues that weigh our hearts down?
21. Can you share with your group, any special struggle that you are having? (optional).