Reading The Clock

Small Group Discussion Guide

Based on the message by Pastor Mirek Hufton | WHCGA

1. SERMON RECAP

Pastor Mirek Hufton walked the congregation through the major prophetic signs pointing to the imminent return of Jesus Christ, anchoring the discussion in Matthew 24 and 2 Thessalonians 2. He unpacked the two distinct phases of Christ's return — His appearing (the Rapture) and His returning (the Second Coming) — explaining why understanding the difference matters for how we live today. He challenged the church to look beyond current world events with spiritual eyes, recognizing that the growing lawlessness we see around us is not cause for fear but a divine signal that Jesus is coming very, very soon.

2. KEY SCRIPTURE

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 (NKJV)

"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming."

3. ICE BREAKER

If you could have a front-row seat to any single moment described in end-times prophecy — as a safe, informed observer — which moment would you choose to witness, and why?

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Getting Oriented Pastor Mirek drew a clear distinction between the appearing of Christ (the Rapture) and the returning of Christ (the Second Coming), noting they are two separate events. Before this message, had you thought of them as the same event or different ones? What stood out to you most about how he explained the difference?

2. Digging Into the Text In 2 Thessalonians 2, Pastor Mirek highlighted the phrase "the mystery of lawlessness is already at work." He described it as a hidden, strategic, long-game plan by Satan to prepare the world for the Antichrist. Where do you see evidence of this "mystery of lawlessness" operating in culture, media, or society today? How does naming it as a spiritual strategy — rather than random moral decline — change the way you think about it?

3. Pressing Deeper Pastor Mirek pointed out that the Church itself serves as a restraining force against the full expression of lawlessness in the world. That means our presence, our voice, and our righteousness actually matter on a cosmic level right now. How does that responsibility land with you personally? Does it feel empowering, convicting, or both — and why?

4. Bringing It Home He referenced 1 Corinthians 15, which describes the moment this mortal body puts on immortality — the ultimate victory over death. In the everyday grind of life, it can be easy to lose sight of that future reality. How does the promise of a resurrected, glorified body change the way you relate to physical suffering, aging, or the fear of death right now?

5. Getting Honest Pastor Mirek made the observation that knowing Jesus is coming soon should change the way we operate — because we will one day give an account. Without putting anyone on the spot, what is one area of your life where that coming accountability genuinely motivates you to live differently? What is one area where it perhaps should motivate you more than it currently does?

6. Looking at Revelation 19 Pastor Mirek painted a vivid picture of Jesus returning on a white horse in Revelation 19 — faithful, true, and victorious — with the power to undo every work of darkness simply by the word of His mouth. In the moments when the news cycle, global events, or personal circumstances feel overwhelming, how do you personally hold onto the image of this Jesus — the conquering King — rather than slipping into anxiety or despair?

5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE

This week, choose one specific habit of spiritual alertness to practice every single day for seven days. This could be spending five intentional minutes each morning reading a passage from Matthew 24 or Revelation and asking God, "What does this mean for how I live today?" — or it could be writing down one current event each evening and prayerfully considering how it might connect to what Pastor Mirek described as the "season" of Christ's return. The goal is not to become anxious about world events but to sharpen your spiritual awareness so that prophetic truth moves from head knowledge to something that genuinely shapes your daily decisions and conversations.

6. PRAYER POINTS

• For spiritual eyes wide open — Pray that each group member would live with a growing, joyful awareness that Jesus is coming soon, and that this awareness would produce holy urgency rather than fear or passivity.

• For the lost and the lawless — Following the mercy of God that Pastor Mirek emphasized throughout the message, pray specifically for people in your own lives who do not yet know Christ — that even in this hour of increasing darkness, God's mercy would reach them before it is too late.

• For the Church to be salt and light — Pray that the body of Christ, collectively and individually, would take seriously its role as a restraining force in the earth — standing boldly for righteousness, the truth of God's Word, and the name of Jesus in a culture that is drifting rapidly toward lawlessness.

7. MEMORY VERSE

1 Corinthians 15:52 (NKJV)

"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

Thank you for leading your group this week. Your faithfulness in pointing people toward Jesus and His Word matters more than you know — especially in this hour.