13.24-37 Discussion Prompts

Introduction

• What thoughts have we had this past week about the importance of being alert, on guard, awake, on guard for our faith?
• Have you heard any reports this week of sisters and brothers around the world who are currently facing the types of suffering Jesus described in 13.6-23? Take a minute to pray for these witnesses to the good news that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

The Text: Mark 13.24-37 Pages 32.20-33.13

• Read the text aloud to each other.

Discussion Questions:

• How does this section connect to 13.1-23?
• What words are repeated in 13.24-37? Based on this, what is the main point of this section?
• Often times these words are taken to refer exclusively to future events at the end of time. But for our purposes in discussion let’s try to look at what these words could have meant to listeners/readers who had just witnessed the destruction of the Temple in 70ad, and who were directly involved in proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth (13.10). Is there any encouragement? Any comfort? Hope?
• What is about to happen ‘in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning’ when the disciples should stay awake, be alert and on their guard, and stay faithful?
• Is there any connection between the ‘angels’ in 13.27 and the gospel being proclaimed to all peoples in 13.10? (Note: the word translated here as angel can also be translated as ‘messenger’ as it is in Mark 1.2.)
• Verses 13.34-37 are Jesus’ last parable told in Mark. Do you see themes from other parables within the lines of this parable?
• 13.32 is Jesus’ answer to the question ‘when will this happen’? What do we make of Jesus’ response – that he does not know when? What do we make of Jesus’ conviction that the Father does know? 

Application reflections

• How is it an encouragement for us the Jesus’ words last forever?
• What does it mean for us to stay awake and be alert right now, while the master is away? What does it mean for us to stay awake and be faithful as we await his return?
• What comfort can we find in Jesus’ conviction that the Father knows exactly when and what will take place in the future?

Pray