This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - When Will Jesus Return? 4 Predictions About the End Times | Pastor Josh Howerton | Full Worship Exp.” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.

Small Group Discussion Guide

"What Time Is It?" — Understanding the Ages & Being Ready for Christ's Return

Based on the Sermon from Luke 21 & Matthew 24

A Note to Facilitators: This week's sermon covered some of the richest — and most challenging — theological territory in all of Scripture. Don't feel pressure to have all the answers. Your job is to create a safe space for honest questions and genuine conversation. Some questions in this guide may feel unfamiliar or even unsettling to group members. That's okay. Lean into curiosity together, and always bring the conversation back to the practical call of the sermon: Be ready.

SERMON OVERVIEW

In this message, Pastor Josh walked through Luke 21 and Matthew 24 — passages known as the Olivet Discourse — to answer one of the biggest questions anyone can ask: When will Jesus return, and what will he do? He traced all of human history through three great ages: the Age of Judaism (now completed), the Age of the Gentiles (the age we're living in right now), and the coming return of Jesus Christ to make all things new. Along the way, he showed how Jesus made remarkably specific predictions that came true with stunning accuracy — and how that same trustworthy Jesus has also told us exactly what signs to watch for before his return. The bottom line of the entire message was simple and urgent: the hour is late, so be ready.

BEFORE YOUR GROUP MEETS

Suggested Reading: Luke 21:5-36 and Matthew 24:1-44 Recommended Time: 75–90 minutes Materials Needed: Bibles (or Bible app), this guide, and a willingness to go deep

SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER

(5–10 minutes)

Choose one of the following to open your time together:

Option A (Lighter):

"If you knew you had exactly one week left before a major life transition — moving cities, starting a new job, having a baby — what would you do differently with your time this week? What would suddenly feel urgent that didn't before?"

Option B (More Reflective):

"Has there ever been a moment in your life when you realized time was running out on something important — a relationship, an opportunity, a conversation you needed to have? What did that feel like?"

[Leader Tip: Don't rush the icebreaker — it does important work. It warms up the group and naturally sets up the sermon's central theme: that we are living on a countdown clock, and how we respond to that reality matters. Let 2–3 people share before moving on.]

SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING

(5 minutes)

Have different group members read each passage aloud. Invite the group to listen for one word or phrase that stands out to them.

Luke 21:5-8, 20-22, 27-28 (NIV)

"Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 'As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.' 'Teacher,' they asked, 'when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?' He replied: 'Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, "I am he," and, "The time is near." Do not follow them...

'When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written...

'At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.'"

Matthew 24:14 (NIV)

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

[Leader Tip: After the reading, give the group 30 seconds of silence and then ask, "What one word or phrase stood out to you?" This simple question creates immediate engagement and helps quieter members find an easy entry point into the conversation.]

SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(35–45 minutes)

Work through as many of these questions as time allows. Questions are organized from lighter and observational to deeper and more personal. You do not need to cover all of them — choose the ones that feel most relevant to your group.

PART A: SETTING THE SCENE — What Jesus Said and What Happened

(Observational — 8–10 minutes)

1. Pastor Josh opened the sermon with an image that stuck with him: the countdown clock on the stage that turns red when his time runs out. What image, story, or idea from Sunday's message stuck with you — and why do you think it landed the way it did?

2. In AD 33, Jesus made four very specific predictions about Jerusalem and the Jewish people — predictions that were fulfilled in stunning detail in AD 70 when the Roman general Titus destroyed the city. Here's a quick recap of what Jesus predicted and what happened:

Jesus Predicted (AD 33)	What Happened (AD 70)
Jerusalem would be surrounded	Titus laid siege to the city
Not one stone of the temple left on another	Soldiers pried apart every stone to retrieve melted gold
Judgment/wrath would fall on Jerusalem	The city was sacked and destroyed
Jewish people scattered among the nations	Jews dispersed throughout the Roman Empire

Question: What does it do to your confidence in Jesus — and in the Bible — when you see predictions like these fulfilled with this kind of precision? How does this shape the way you read the rest of what Jesus says about the future?

PART B: THE AGE WE'RE LIVING IN — The Time of the Gentiles

(Interpretive — 10–12 minutes)

3. Pastor Josh explained that we are currently living in what Jesus called "the time of the Gentiles" — a period in which the gospel is going out to people from every nation, tribe, tongue, and language. He used the Greek word ethnon (from which we get "ethnicity") to connect Luke 21 with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19.

Question: How does understanding that we are living in a specific, purposeful age of history — not just random time — change the way you think about your own life and daily choices? What feels different about your Monday morning if you believe history is moving toward a destination?

4. Pastor Josh shared a striking statistic: every single day, approximately 16,173 people in Africa alone cross the line of faith and follow Jesus. He used this to illustrate 2 Peter 3:9 — that God isn't slow, he's patient, because he wants to bring as many people home with him as possible.

Question: How does that reframe the question, "Why hasn't Jesus come back yet?" Is there someone in your life — a prodigal child, a friend, a coworker — who you believe God might be "waiting for"? How does that thought change the way you pray for them or engage with them?

[Leader Tip: This question can open up some deeply personal sharing about prodigal loved ones. Give the group space to be honest. If someone shares a painful situation, resist the urge to immediately offer solutions — sometimes the most powerful response is simply, "Thank you for sharing that. Let's pray for them together at the end."]

PART C: THE SIGNS — What to Watch For

(Interpretive & Personal — 12–15 minutes)

5. Pastor Josh walked through four signs Jesus said would intensify as the end of this age approaches:

Sign 1: A rise in global spiritual deception — false teachers, false messiahs
Sign 2: An increase in global chaos — wars, famines, earthquakes (like birth pangs, growing closer together)
Sign 3: An increase in global persecution of Christians
Sign 4: A global falling away from the faith (apostasy), fueled by persecution and false religion

Question: Which of these four signs feels most real or visible to you right now — in the world, in your community, or even in your own life? What do you think Jesus wants his followers to do with this awareness, rather than just feel about it?

6. On the topic of deception, Pastor Josh made a pointed statement: "Just because somebody has a Bible verse doesn't mean they're right. Satan can quote Bible verses too." He urged the group to read the Bible personally so they can measure what they hear against what the Word actually says.

Question: How would you honestly describe your personal relationship with the Bible right now? Is it something you read regularly and know well enough to "measure" things against — or is it more of a resource you turn to occasionally? What's one thing that genuinely gets in the way of you reading it more consistently?

[Leader Tip: This question can feel convicting, so model vulnerability yourself if you're the facilitator. You might say something like, "I'll be honest — I go through seasons where I'm in the Word every day and seasons where I'm not. What's helped me most is..." This creates permission for honest answers rather than "Sunday school" answers.]

7. Regarding persecution, Pastor Josh said one of his greatest fears as a preacher is that he hasn't done enough to prepare the church to be hated for the name of Jesus. He noted that in America, we often experience a level of religious freedom that most Christians throughout history — and many today around the world — have never known.

Question: How do you think you would respond if following Jesus cost you something real — a friendship, a job, social acceptance, or something more serious? What helps build the kind of faith that can hold up under that kind of pressure?

PART D: THE TEMPLE — A Beautiful Picture of Jesus

(Deeper Theological — Optional, 8–10 minutes)

Note to facilitator: This section covers the sermon's explanation of how the Jewish temple system pointed forward to Jesus. It's rich content but can feel complex. Feel free to skip this section if time is short or if your group is newer to the faith — or use it as a "wow, I never saw it that way" moment.

8. Pastor Josh explained that the entire temple system — the priests, the sacrifices, the Day of Atonement, the scapegoat, the Holy of Holies, the curtain — was what the book of Hebrews calls "a type and shadow" of Jesus. Here's a quick summary of the connections he drew:

The Temple System	How It Points to Jesus
The temple as intersection of heaven and earth	Jesus is the way to the Father (John 14:6)
The high priest as mediator between God and people	Jesus is the one mediator between God and humanity (1 Tim. 2:5)
The sacrificial lamb offered for sin	Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)
Blood sprinkled on the ark to cover broken commandments	We are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, made innocent before God
The curtain torn at Jesus' death	Direct access to God is now available to everyone

Question: Looking at this list, which connection between the Old Testament temple and Jesus is most meaningful or surprising to you? What does it tell you about how carefully and intentionally God planned our salvation — long before Jesus was even born?

SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION

(10–15 minutes)

These questions are designed for more personal, reflective sharing. Invite the group to take a moment of quiet before answering.

9. Pastor Josh closed the sermon with a direct challenge: "You must be ready." He described being "ready" not as a feeling of anxiety, but as a posture of faithful, active discipleship — knowing what time it is and living accordingly.

Reflection: On a scale of 1–10, how "ready" do you feel right now — not in a fearful way, but in the sense of living as a faithful, growing disciple of Jesus? What's one specific area of your spiritual life where you sense God is calling you to take a step forward?

10. The sermon celebrated the 10-week Rooted discipleship experience and the life transformation it produced in people. Pastor Josh described it as preparation for faithful discipleship — learning to read the Word, pray, share your faith, activate your spiritual gifts, and walk in freedom.

Reflection: What is your current "discipleship path" — the rhythms, relationships, and practices that are actually helping you grow closer to Jesus right now? If you're honest, is that path working? What might need to change?

[Leader Tip: Some group members may feel discouraged if they don't have a clear answer to this question. Remind the group that the point isn't to feel guilty — it's to get honest. The next question naturally leads to community support, so let this one breathe before moving on.]

11. Pastor Josh spoke warmly about the need for people of different generations and spiritual maturity levels to invest in one another — specifically calling on "senior saints" to become spiritual parents to newer believers, and inviting brand-new believers to lean into community rather than feeling like they don't belong.

Reflection: Who in your life is playing the role of a spiritual parent or mentor to you — someone a few steps ahead of you in faith? And who are you investing in — someone you could be walking alongside? If either of those relationships is missing, what's one step you could take this week to change that?

SECTION 5: THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

**(Read aloud together or individually)*

Choose one of the following to practice this week:

🔵 FOUNDATION LEVEL — For those newer to faith: Read Matthew 24:1-44 on your own this week. As you read, write down one question it raises for you and bring it to your next group meeting or share it with your leader.

🟡 GROWTH LEVEL — For those growing in their faith: Identify one person in your life who doesn't yet know Jesus. Write their name down somewhere you'll see it this week. Pray for them every day, and ask God for one natural opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with them about faith.

🔴 DEEP DIVE LEVEL — For those ready to go further: Read Hebrews chapters 9–10 this week. These chapters unpack the connection between the Old Testament sacrificial system and Jesus as the final, perfect sacrifice. Come back next week ready to share one thing that changed the way you understand what Jesus did for you on the cross.

SECTION 6: PRAYER FOCUS

(5–10 minutes)

Close your time together in prayer. Consider using this structure:

1. Gratitude — Thank God for the specific, trustworthy nature of his Word. His promises have never failed, and they never will.

2. The Lost — Pray by name for people in your lives who don't yet know Jesus. Reflect on 2 Peter 3:9 — God is patient because he doesn't want anyone to perish.

3. The Persecuted Church — Pray for believers around the world who are facing real danger for their faith. Ask God to strengthen them and to give your group a deeper appreciation for the freedom you have.

4. Readiness — Pray for one another — that each person in the group would grow in faithful discipleship, that you would know what time it is, and that you would live accordingly.

5. New Believers — If your group includes anyone who recently made a decision to follow Jesus, take a moment to pray a blessing over them specifically.

Suggested closing prayer (facilitator can read or adapt):

"Father, thank you that your Word is trustworthy. Every promise you've made, you've kept. Every prediction Jesus spoke, you fulfilled. And so we trust you with what's still to come. Help us to know what time it is — not so we live in fear, but so we live with urgency and purpose. Grow us as disciples. Use us to reach the people around us. And Lord, bring home everyone you're waiting for. We trust you with all of it. In Jesus' name, amen."

SECTION 7: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE

For groups that want to keep going or for mature believers wanting more

Bonus Question 1 — The Temple as a Window into the Gospel:

Read Hebrews 10:1-14. This passage directly addresses the connection between the Old Testament sacrificial system and Jesus.

"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming — not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship... But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:1, 12)

Discussion: What does it mean to you personally that Jesus offered "one sacrifice for all time"? How does understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system make the cross feel more significant — not less?

Bonus Question 2 — The Great Commission in Light of the End Times:

Pastor Josh connected Matthew 28:19-20 (the Great Commission) directly to Luke 21 (the end times). He argued that missions and evangelism aren't just good ideas — they are the defining activity of the age we're living in, and the gospel reaching every nation is one of the signs that this age is drawing to a close.

Discussion: How does framing the Great Commission as an end-times activity change the weight you give it? In practical terms, how does your small group — right here, right now — participate in the mission of taking the gospel to every nation? What's one concrete step your group could take together?

Bonus Question 3 — Apostasy, Deception, and Staying Grounded:

Pastor Josh warned that as the end approaches, there will be a rise in people leaving the Christian faith (apostasy) and in false teachers using the Bible to deceive. He urged the group to build strong community, read the Bible personally, and take seriously who they are spiritually accountable to.

Discussion: What are the specific spiritual practices and relationships that you believe are most important for keeping you anchored to Jesus over the long haul — especially as cultural pressure against Christianity increases? What does your group need to do together to make sure you're building that kind of resilience in one another?

QUICK REFERENCE: KEY PASSAGES FROM THIS SERMON

Passage	Theme
Luke 21:5-28	The Olivet Discourse — Jerusalem, the ages, the return of Christ
Matthew 24:1-44	Signs of the end of the age
Matthew 28:19-20	The Great Commission — the mission of the age we're in
Galatians 3:28	"Neither Jew nor Gentile... you are all one in Christ Jesus"
2 Peter 3:9	God's patience — not wanting anyone to perish
Hebrews 10:1-14	The temple system as "type and shadow" pointing to Jesus
John 1:29	"Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"
1 Timothy 2:5	Jesus as the one mediator between God and humanity
Hosea 4:6	"My people perish for lack of knowledge"
Revelation 20	John's vision of the end — the throne of God

FACILITATOR CHECKLIST

Before your group meets, review these quick reminders:

Read Luke 21 and Matthew 24 yourself this week
Choose which questions feel most relevant for your specific group
Be prepared for the end-times content to raise questions you can't fully answer — that's okay
Create a safe space for honest doubt and genuine questions
Have the "This Week's Challenge" options ready to share
End on time — leave room for prayer

This guide was prepared for Lake Pointe Church Small Groups based on the weekend message. For questions about Rooted or other discipleship opportunities, text ROOTED to 20411.