[Thought questions for Getting Ready for the Harvest December 9, 2014]

Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

1. Parousia. Does the word “parousia” echo a sense of majesty and anticipation in you? Did it for New Testament Christians as they applied the word to the Second Coming of Jesus? What two conditions does James propose to Christians who want to be ready for the coming of Jesus? (See James 5:8) What does is take to meet those conditions?

2. Waiting for rain. A scientific study finds that the recent drought in California was the worst in 1200 years. What damage comes from a prolonged drought? What about the potential of danger from the rain that follows in abundance? Speaking of spiritual rain, can we ever have too much of the genuine thing? Is the purpose of the latter rain to set up a spiritual atmosphere in which we can relax and have no more concerns? If not, what is the purpose? How long must we wait?

3. How near is “near?” Aren’t you glad that Jesus’ coming is near? James says, “at the door.” Good news, right? How long has that been the case, that Jesus is coming soon? Is 2,000 years a long time or a short time? What is the most important thing of all that you’d like to accomplish before Jesus comes? Can God help you reach your spiritual goals before He comes? How can we “establish” our hearts, as James recommends? What other areas of effort do you feel you need to pursue during this time-wracked period of history?

4. Grumbling, Groaning, and Growing. Do these four words sound like us? Are grumblers and groaners worshiping with us on Sabbath? Can we grow while we’re grumbling and groaning? Have you ever offended someone at church and been roundly scolded? Look and be shocked by the behavior James warns us against: favoritism (James 2:1, 9), evil surmising (2:4), evil speaking toward one another (3:10, 4:11), envy (3:14), quarrels (4:1), and worldliness (4:4, 13-14). How can we obtain freedom from chains that bind us to the evil one and grow in grace? 

5. Patient Endurance. Were all of God’s people depicted in the Bible examples of patient endurance? Who do you consider to be some of the most patient people whose stories are found in the Old Testament? If you’d known Abraham and listened as God promised him a son to be the father of great nations, would you advise him to be patient and wait for the Lord? Are we sometimes impatient with how fast God answers our prayers? When is Jesus coming again? Why don’t we know?

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