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POINT #1: READ THE

^{Matthew 26:36, 42-44}

His words are and give .

There is a difference between something and allowing what you believe to how you live.

POINT #2: REMEMBER THE

^{Matthew 24:37-39}

The greatest threat to our readiness isn't always , sometimes it's just .

Sometimes ordinary life gets so that eternity gets really .

POINT #3: BE TO THE

^{Matthew 24:45-47}

We serve the by serving the people at His .

POINT #4: THERE IS WITH THE

^{John 14:16–17, 26; Acts 1:8}

God didn't leave us to do the assignment . He gives us His .

POINT #5: KNOW YOUR

^{Matthew 24:40–41; Matthew 28:19–20}

Maybe isn't an accident. It's probably the .

WARM UP

1. This weekend was all about what it means to be ready. Are you more of a “plan everything ahead” person or a “figure it out when we get there” person?

   
   

2. Jeff shared his recurring nightmare about being unprepared for a pop quiz. What class would you have been most terrified of getting a surprise pop quiz in?

   
   

3. What is something from this weekend’s message that challenged you, encouraged you, or made you think differently?

   
   

KNOW IT

1. In Matthew 24:36-51, Jesus compares His return to the days of Noah, when people were going about the ordinary rhythms of life without realizing what was coming. What’s the difference between living a normal life and becoming so absorbed in everyday life that we’re no longer spiritually ready?

   
   

2. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 and notice the similarities between Paul’s instructions here and Jesus’ words in Matthew 24. What practical pictures of readiness stand out to you?

   
   

3. In verses 12-22, Paul gets really practical about what faithful living looks like. If these verses were a “readiness checklist,”what’s one or two things you’d like to be more intentional about?

   
   

SHARE IT

1. Think of someone you know who seems to live ready for Jesus’ return—not fearful or frantic but faithfully following Him. What does their everyday life look like, and what stands out to you about the way they follow Jesus?
   
   
2. Jeff reminded us that we don’t become faithful on our own—the Holy Spirit is at work in us as we follow Jesus. Looking back, where can you see that growth in your own life? How are you more spiritually “ready” today than you were when you first met Jesus?
   
   

LIVE IT

1. Just like you can’t prepare for a test by cramming at the last minute, faithfulness is built over time. What’s one small thing you could do consistently that would help you live more “ready”?

   
   

2. Jesus gave us a picture of one person being taken and another left in the field, reminding us that there will come a time when our opportunity to share Jesus with the people we care about is gone. Think about the people you regularly do life with. Who comes to mind who doesn’t know Jesus yet? How are you currently praying for or sharing Jesus with them?

   
   

TIPS ON GROUP PRAYER

Prayer is an important part of being in a Life Group. Over the years, we've found that group prayer goes better when we follow three simple guidelines.

WE PRAY FOR ONE TOPIC AT A TIME

Anyone in the group is free to introduce a prayer request, either before prayer begins or during prayer time. Once a topic is introduced, the group focuses on that request alone. Once it's covered, the group moves on to the next topic.

PRAY MORE THAN ONCE

Because the group is focusing on one topic at a time, each person is encouraged to pray several times during the prayer time for those topics they feel most led to pray about. No one is required to pray.

WE KEEP OUR PRAYERS SHORT AND SIMPLE

Group prayer goes better when members keep their prayers short and to the point. When someone prays for a long time, it's hard for the other members to stay focused, and long prayers tend to intimidate those who are just learning to pray out loud in a group. No one is required to pray out loud.