Bible Talk
Topic: God’s Timing
Topic Name: It’s just a matter of time!
Author: Brice Williams
Opening Question: What is your first name & one event/situation where HOW long it takes isn’t really the focus, but as long as it gets done. [ Eg: Giving birth ]
Verse 1: Exodus 31:16 – “The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant.” -niv2011
Preface: Jesus told us that the Sabbath ( having a rest day ) was created FOR US and we weren’t created for the rest day.
Questions about society
1 – What are man-made situations where we just need a BREAK? [ job, kids, etc ]
2 – What are quality features that should be everlasting in THE aforementioned places/situations? [ timeliness, honor, respect, communication, order, etc ]
Preface: Ancient writers and citizens didn’t think of time like we do ( a linear progression ) but saw life as a series of points of references noted by events. In a sense, there was no rush, just live. So this processes/events > time focus meant no one was late because we don’t start until we’re all here. Everything will happen when it does, so let’s just hangout. In a more academic sense, in the Western world, we see life in Chronos (infinite, continuous flow of life separate from events; time goes on) where the ancients PREFERED to see time as Kairos (a qualitative measure of timing and events that gave life flow). To them, it wasn’t December 25th that made it Winter, it was the first day of snow.
Verse 2: Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – niv2011
1 – What are situations in life where if we persevere, we will “reap a harvest at the proper time?” [details your response]
2 – What is a situation where impatience, or NOT doing good resulted in a metaphorical “bad harvest?”
[ Read verse after Q #1 ]
Verse 3: Matthew 24:14 – “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.”
1 – What are businesses or ideas that you have helped spread to the entire world?
2 – What are behaviors that we can exhibit that would help the good news about Jesus, salvation and true life purpose spread to the whole world?
Challenge: Biblical authors, and believers for the last 2,000 years have been trying to predict Jesus’ second coming. Scripture tells us, we will not know the day or hour. This isn’t because there ISN’T a time set but because the TIME he comes isn’t based on a preset date, [ like next Tuesday at 2:00] but a preset circumstance: When the gospel is preached to the whole Earth. If spreading the true and proper love of God appeals to you, please begin or continue to study the Bible with the person that invited you out!
……and that’s Bible Talk!