EXPLORE THE TEXT
Believers are to remain faithful while we await Christ’s return,
stewarding well the resources God has given us.
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his master has put in charge of his household,
to give them food at the proper time?
46 Blessed is that servant whom the master finds
doing his job when he comes.
47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
48 But if that wicked servant says in his heart,
‘My master is delayed,’
49 and starts to beat his fellow servants,
and eats and drinks with drunkards,
50 that servant’s master will come on a day
he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know.
51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place
with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Provide more context to Jesus’s contrast of the two servants:
“In the first scenario, the master considered him
to be trustworthy and sensible.
Because of this, he left him in charge of his household.
The implication based on the second half of the parable
is that the master was away for an extended period.
This servant was given authority over the household and the responsibility to administer the household. .Next came the contrast. .
Just like the thief who comes at an hour when he is not expected,
so the servant’s master will come when least expected.
Again, Jesus spoke of both an unexpected day and
an unexpected hour.
This sudden return applies, of course, to both the faithful
and wise servant, as well as the wicked servant.
One was ready for his return, the other was not.
The consequences on the wicked servant for being unprepared
were devastating.”
Remind adults that the servants represent two responses to Jesus
and that the blessing and punishment represent real eternal consequences.
Consider where they stand with God right now.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 105 of the Personal Study Guide as adults consider their own level of commitment to each item:
Challenge the group to consider their feelings about Christ’s return and to use those as reminders to live for Him, seek Him, and share Him with people who do not believe.
Enlist a volunteer to read aloud the first set of questions from page 105 of the PSG. Discuss responses and encourage adults to find ways to hold one another accountable to staying alert. Remind adults that this is what Jesus expects of His people as they wait for His return.
Encourage adults to read and reflect on the second set of questions on page 105 of the PSG during the week. Urge them to identify ways they can keep Jesus’s second coming at the front of their minds and to remain faithful as they wait.
Close in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to bring this passage to life this week as each adult seeks to know God, live for Christ, and be filled with the Spirit.
Keep the conversation going this week through your group text or email communication. Encourage the group to share how they are keeping Christ’s return in mind as they go about their everyday tasks and life. Encourage adults to point to Jesus as they live among people who need to hear the truth.
According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness.(See 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Revelation 1:7.)
Use cross references to learn more about a word or phrase.
In Matthew 24:51, Jesus used the expression “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Examine these other passages where Jesus used the phrase: Matthew 8:12; 13:42,50; 22:13; 25:30; and Luke 13:28. Observe the context and setting of these passages. Write a summary of what the expression refers to and why it should be a warning
to all.