Small Groups

Leader:

1. Read the following passage to your group. If you prefer, you can read it from another translation, but The Message is easy to understand.
2. Ask your group: What is this passage saying to us?
3. Ask: In what ways can we be "vigilant" until Jesus comes again?
4. Play the Tim McGraw song: Live like you were dying.
5. Ask your group: What is the message of this song?
6. Ask your group: How is the message from the lyrics and the scripture passage alike? How is it different? Ultimately, what should your life be about?
7. Spend a few minutes in silent prayer.
8. Have your group pray the following prayer by repeating you, one sentence at a time.
   
   Dear Lord,
   We wait with great anticipation for your return.
   What a day that will be!
   We will stay awake Lord.
   We will be about your kingdom business.
   We will live each day as if you are coming tomorrow.
   We will live each day as if we were dying.
   Lord, give us wisdom.
   Give us joy.
   Give us your power.
   We will be vigilant.
   We will choose the best,
   sacrifice what we must,
   and live with You always on our minds.
   We will not grow weary of serving You.
   You are an awesome God.
   We love you.
   We worship you.
   Amen.

Matthew 24:42-51 (The Message)
So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. [43] But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. [44] Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.
[45] "Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day. [46] Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God-blessed man or woman, I tell you. [47] It won't be long before the Master will put this person in charge of the whole operation.
[48] "But if that person only looks out for himself, and the minute the Master is away does what he pleases— [49] abusing the help and throwing drunken parties for his friends— [50] the Master is going to show up when he least expects it [51] and make hash of him. He'll end up in the dump with the hypocrites, out in the cold shivering, teeth chattering.