Lessons from The Countdown Has Begun

# Small Group Guide: The Countdown Has Begun

## Opening Prayer
Begin by asking God to give your group wisdom, discernment, and peace as you discuss these challenging topics together.

## Ice Breaker
Share one technology that has significantly changed your daily life in the past 5 years. How has it affected your relationship with God?

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## Key Takeaways

### 1. **We Are Children of Light** (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)
- Believers are called to stay awake and sober, not caught off guard
- We should be watching and discerning the times
- The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth

### 2. **The Great Tribulation Is Coming** (Matthew 24:15-22)
- The midpoint marker: the Abomination of Desolation
- A 3.5 year period of unprecedented trouble
- Jesus said if those days weren't shortened, no one would survive

### 3. **The Rise of Artificial Intelligence**
- AI is developing at an exponential rate
- By 2025, AI will be writing 100% of its own code
- AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence) are on the horizon
- This technology may be the platform for end-times prophecy fulfillment

### 4. **The Mark of the Beast** (Revelation 13:15-18)
- Integration technology (Neuralink and similar) represents a potential pathway
- The mark becomes damning when combined with denying Christ
- Digital currency will enable control over buying and selling

### 5. **God Will Protect His People**
- Jesus prayed we would be kept FROM the evil one, not taken OUT of the world
- The Greek word "tereo" means to guard and protect, not remove
- We need to prepare practically while trusting spiritually

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## Discussion Questions

### Understanding the Times
1. Before this sermon, how did you view the end times? Has your perspective changed? How?

2. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6. What does it mean practically to "stay awake and be sober" in today's world?

3. The pastor mentioned we are "children of light" who should understand what's happening. Do you feel equipped to recognize the signs of the times? Why or why not?

### Technology and Prophecy
4. How comfortable are you with the rapid advancement of AI? Does it concern you spiritually?

5. The sermon suggested AI could be the platform for fulfilling multiple prophecies. Does this interpretation seem plausible to you? Why or why not?

6. Read Revelation 13:16-18. How do you see the connection between current technology trends and the mark of the beast?

### The Rapture Timing Debate
7. The pastor presented a mid-tribulation or post-tribulation perspective. How does this differ from what you've been taught? What questions does it raise for you?

8. Read Matthew 24:29-31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. What do these passages tell us about the timing of Christ's return in relation to the tribulation?

9. If we are called to go through tribulation, how does that change how you live today?

### Practical Preparation
10. The sermon mentioned practical preparations (water, food, generators, etc.). How do you balance physical preparation with spiritual trust in God's provision?

11. Read Hebrews 10:24-25. Why is staying connected to the church body especially important in these times?

12. What specific steps is God calling you to take in response to this teaching?

### Fear vs. Faith
13. This sermon contains some frightening information. How do you process these realities without living in fear?

14. Read John 17:15. Jesus prayed for us to be kept in the world but protected from evil. What does this tell us about God's heart for His people during difficult times?

15. How can we encourage one another as we see these days approaching?

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## Practical Applications

### This Week
- **Daily**: Spend 10 minutes in prayer asking God for wisdom and discernment about the times
- **Study**: Read Matthew 24 and Revelation 6-19 with fresh eyes, asking the Holy Spirit for understanding
- **Action**: Identify one practical preparation step you can take (water storage, food supplies, etc.)

### This Month
- **Fellowship**: Commit to consistent church attendance and small group participation
- **Witness**: Share the gospel with at least one person who needs to know Christ
- **Research**: Educate yourself on AI developments from a biblical worldview perspective
- **Prepare**: Create a basic emergency preparedness plan for your household

### Ongoing
- **Stay Informed**: Watch current events through the lens of Scripture
- **Stay Connected**: Build deeper relationships within the church body
- **Stay Faithful**: Continue growing in your relationship with Christ regardless of circumstances
- **Stay Generous**: Share resources with others in the church family who may have less

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## Scripture Memory

**1 Thessalonians 5:4-6**
*"But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."*

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## Prayer Focus

**Praise**: Thank God that He has not left us in darkness but has given us His Word and Spirit

**Confession**: Confess any areas where you've been spiritually asleep or unprepared

**Petition**:
- For wisdom to understand the times
- For protection for believers worldwide
- For boldness to share the gospel while there is still time
- For practical provision and preparation
- For unity in the body of Christ

**Intercession**:
- For church leadership to have courage to teach truth
- For those who don't know Christ to come to salvation
- For believers who will face persecution
- For families to be prepared spiritually and practically

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## Additional Resources for Study

- **Book of Daniel** (especially chapters 7-12)
- **Matthew 24-25** (The Olivet Discourse)
- **Revelation 6-19** (The tribulation period)
- **1 Thessalonians 4-5** (The Day of the Lord)
- **2 Thessalonians 2** (The man of lawlessness)

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## Closing Reflection

*"He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"* (Revelation 22:20)

End your time by sharing one way this discussion has impacted you and one specific action you'll take this week.

**Close in Prayer**: Have each person pray for the person on their right, asking God to give them wisdom, courage, and peace in these times.

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## Leader Notes

- **Be Sensitive**: This topic can create anxiety. Balance truth with the peace and protection God promises
- **Stay Grounded**: Keep discussions rooted in Scripture, not speculation
- **Encourage Unity**: Avoid divisiveness over timing details; focus on readiness and faithfulness
- **Provide Hope**: Always point people to Christ as our ultimate hope and security
- **Follow Up**: Check in with group members during the week, especially those who seemed troubled