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Week 1 - In The Last Days

The Last Days

READ: 2 Timothy 3

SOAP***: 2 Timothy 3:1–5

But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

Into the Text

The list of what people’s character will be like in the last days is not an encouraging one. Do you feel the urgency in Paul’s writing? It sounds like he thinks the “last days” are here, yet he wrote this two thousand years ago. That’s because, in the New Testament, “the last days” refers to the timespan that started with Jesus’ ascension and Pentecost and will end with His Second Coming. We are all living in the last days.

The exciting news is that each day we live is one day closer to Christ’s return, and knowing this should motivate us to make every day count for eternity. When you look around and see people in your world becoming more and more like the people described in today’s verses, don’t allow discouragement to seize your mind. Instead, take heart. On those days when everyone in your world seems to want you to live as they do, cry out to Jesus, and ask Him to give you the courage to live in a manner that gives Him glory.

Don’t get discouraged as the days get darker before Christ’s return. Instead, live with anticipation as you see the time getting closer and closer. Never forget that Jesus promised right before He returned to heaven that He would never leave us. He is with you. You are not alone, and God is watching over your life right now. Make the most of the opportunities He has given you, and do not get discouraged. This world may seem out of control, but remember, God is more powerful than anything in this world, and this world still submits to His ultimate control.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for these verses and for the reminder that our world must get like this before You return. God, I take comfort in remembering that everything in this world and in my life is in Your control. Please help me to be brave in these last days. Help me live each day with a greater purpose and urgency until Your return. Until that day, I will continue to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus, come." Amen.

***As we study the Bible, we use the SOAP Bible Study Method. The acronym stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

1. Scripture. Write out the verses at least once. Slow down and copy the passage from the text, focusing on what you are writing. Writing it more than once is always helpful.

2. Observation. Take time to observe the passage. What do you see in the verses you're reading? Who is the intended audience? To whom is the writer speaking? What cultural factors are at play? Are any words or themes repeated? What literary devices are being used?

3. Application. After carefully observing what is happening in the passage, determine the central message or truth of the passage. How can you apply this truth to your life?

4. Prayer. Pray God's Word back to Him. If He has revealed something to you during this time, pray about it. Confess any sin God has revealed. Pray through the truth of the passage.