Well it happened again. This week another “would be” prophet predicted that the end of the world would happen on April 23, 2018. And then the 23rd came and went and the world kept on spinning the exact same way it did on April 22nd and on April 24th. I have to admit, every time I read one of these predictions, I immediately have two reactions. First, I’m pretty sure that Jesus is not coming back on the date predicted. And second, I’m haunted by the nagging question, “What if He does?”

I know it seems like a contradiction of sorts. I should know more than to even pay attention to the Fake News clogging up my Inbox. But the truth is that while I’m pretty sure God doesn’t buy into the hype of most of the prophecy aisle of the National Enquirer, there is an underlying truth that Jesus is coming back that still resonates in my heart. And that is what makes Fake News so dangerous. It has the appeal of truth but is blatantly false.

This week as we continue our journey through 2 Peter, we will see how Peter answers the challenge that he is preaching Fake News by pointing to the second coming of Jesus. The false teachers say that this idea of the second coming is a made up fable, simply fabricated to control people’s behavior. But for Peter, Jesus second coming is not Fake News, it is Good News that helps him make sense out of all of life.

So join us this week as we too learn to live with the End in Mind. Because the truth is that when it comes to Jesus’ second coming and Scripture, you are either living into fake news or good news. And knowing the difference between the two makes all the difference in the world.

DOWNLOADS

See It Be It Video Audio Notes (download pdf) Notes (digital) iTunes

SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

Title: End in Mind: Good News Not Fake News // Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-21

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

This week in our journey through second Peter, Peter answers the challenge that he is preaching Fake News by pointing to the second coming of Jesus. The false teachers say this idea of the second coming is a made up fable, simply fabricated to control people’s behavior. However, for Peter, Jesus’ second coming is not Fake News, it is Good News that enables him to make sense out of all of life and empowers him to live with the End in Mind.

What you believe about the future has a direct affect on how you live your life in the present. Peter tells us to remember Jesus is coming soon! That fact empowers us to live a life grounded in the anchor of His word and galvanized by experiencing the work of God in our lives. The word of God brings reason and sense to our lives. We have the story to tell of the Good News that we have experienced from His word and in His work. We also have people all around us who need us to tell them the story of the Good News that we have.

When it comes to Jesus’ second coming, you are either living into Fake News or Good News. And knowing the difference between the two makes all the difference in the world.

THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
What you believe about tomorrow has a direct affect on how you live your life today.

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes

Picture (What is the story saying?): What did Peter challenge us to remember? What did Peter say was his basis for believing Jesus is returning? What are the two commitments we need to make? How does what we believe impact how we live in the present?

Mirror (Where am I in the story?): On a scale of 1-10 how well are you living with the End in Mind right now? How does personally experiencing God’s work in our lives clarify the story of His Good News? Why is being grounded in God’s word so important?

Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How are the people in your family, your community, and your world living with the End in Mind? What are they looking to as anchors in their lives? What experiences are they depending on? What is the Good News for them?

BE IT – Practice

Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes
Ask group members to share experiences from the lives of people in scripture that galvanize their own faith in the return of Jesus. Then have them share some examples of words from scripture that ground their own trust in God.

Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes
Have each person share one personal God experience or word that has galvanized and grounded their own life. Along with the experience or scripture, express how it resulted in verification, validation, and/or vindication.

Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes
Have each person identify which commitment (God experiences or grounding in His word) is most lacking in their own life right now? Take time in prayer to ask God for breakthrough in that area during the upcoming week. Commit to pursuing breakthrough in that specific commitment this week. Remember each day to expect and anticipate God to respond. Be prepared to share what God showed you through experience or His word next week.

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes
Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.