The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

On the Edge of Time

Matthew 24:36-44, Romans 13:11-14

TRACKING THE WORD
Hope and our view of the future makes a greater difference in our present lives than we have ever imagined.

1. The Bible repeatedly challenges us to see that we LIVE on the edge of time.

Matthew 24:36, 42

2. Our view of the future determines to a great extent what we VALUE and how we choose to live today.

Matthew 24:37-39, 43-44

Four views of the future:
- More of the SAME
- Fear of DEATH
- ANXIETY about an ominous future
- Confidence in fulfillment & PROMISE

3. Hope in God's Word challenges us to live today as if the future of promise were ALEADY HERE.

Romans 13:12-14

Three actions of hopeful living:
Put aside deeds of DARKNESS
CLOTHE yourself with Christ
WATCH in anticipation

FOR REFLECTION & SHARING
Reflections for spiritual journaling, one-on-one discipleship, or small group discussion

1. Journal or discuss: Would you describe your view of the future as more hopeful or more pessimistic? Why do you think of the future this way? On what do you base your view of the future?

2. Journal or discuss: If you knew that tomorrow was going to be the last day you would spend on earth, what values, choices, or behaviors would you change today?

3. Many people live in irrational fear of death. What Bible truth and promises of God might help people overcome irrational fear of death?

4. What Bible promises or spiritual realities prompt you to welcome the future? How do you think this perspective can impact your daily outlook, decisions, and values?

5. What changes does a Biblical view of the future challenge you to make right now? List four or five changes, choices, behaviors or relationship conversations you can make.

MARKINGS & WAYPOINTS
Insights others have received as they have journeyed in hope

THE END IS LIFE. "Anxiety and fear are what we know best in this fantastic century of ours. Wars and rumors of wars. From civilization itself to what seemed the most unalterable values of the past, everything is threatened or already in ruins. We have heard so much tragic news that when the news is good we cannot hear it. But the proclamation of Easter Day is that all is well. And as a Christian, I say this not with the easy optimism of one who has never known a time when all was not well but as one who has faced the cross in all its obscenity as well as in all its glory, who has known one way or another what it is like to live separated from God. In the end, his will, not ours, is done. Love is the victor. Death is not the end. The end is life. His life and our lives through him, in him. Existence has greater depths of beauty, mystery, and benediction than the wildest visionary has ever dared to dream. Christ our Lord has risen." - Frederick Buechner

REAWAKEN. "We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aid, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn." - Henry David Thoreau

LEARN TO WAIT. "Through all the Advents of our life that we celebrate goes the longing for the final Advent, where it says: 'Behold, I make all things new' (Rev. 21:5). Advent is a time of waiting. Our whole life, however, is Advent - that is, a time of waiting for the ultimate, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth, when all people are brothers and sisters and one rejoices in the words of the angels: 'On earth peace to those on whom God's favor rests.' Learn to wait, because he has promised to come. 'I stand at the door.' We however call to him: 'Yes, come soon, Lord Jesus!' Amen." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Explore hope daily and all this month with Daily Doses of Hope, available on our church website: www.westmorrisfm.org. These are Scriptures & spiritual exercises for all.

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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