Small Group Discussion Guide

"Signs of the End of the Age" — Pastor Mirek Hufton

1. SERMON RECAP

Pastor Mirek walked the congregation through Matthew 24, exploring the signs Jesus gave his disciples as indicators of the end of the age. He challenged the church to recognize that spiritual deception, wars and civil unrest, racial division, famines, and pestilences are not random world events but God-given signposts calling believers to attention. He reminded the congregation that these signs are not meant to produce fear but to motivate God's people to live with urgency, holiness, and passionate devotion to Christ.

2. KEY SCRIPTURE

Matthew 24:3-8 (NKJV)

"Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?' And Jesus answered and said to them: 'Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.'"

3. ICE BREAKER

What is one news story or world event from the past month that genuinely surprised or unsettled you, and what was your first reaction to it?

4. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Question 1 — On Spiritual Deception Pastor Mirek identified widespread spiritual deception as the single biggest sign of the end times, noting that it affects not just the world but also churches and church leaders. What are some ways a believer can tell the difference between a message that is genuinely from God and one that has been shaped more by the culture or by a desire to please people? What safeguards do you personally have in your life to help you stay grounded in the full truth of Scripture?

Question 2 — On Compromise in the Church He pointed out that many churches and ministers who once stood firmly on the Word of God have gradually shifted their positions to avoid losing people or income. Why do you think compromise tends to happen slowly and quietly rather than all at once? Have you ever noticed a drift in your own convictions that crept in without you realizing it, and how did you recognize it and course-correct?

Question 3 — On Wars, Unrest, and Anxiety Pastor Mirek referenced Luke 21 and noted that Jesus specifically told his followers not to be terrified by wars, commotions, and social upheaval. He also cautioned the group against consuming too much news and allowing fear to take root. How do you personally find the balance between staying informed as a responsible citizen and protecting your peace of mind as a believer? What practical habits help you guard your heart and mind in a noisy, anxious world?

Question 4 — On Racial Division and the Spirit Behind It He addressed the reality of ethnic and racial tension as a global sign of the times, rooted in a demonic spirit of division rather than in genuine justice. He challenged the group to be part of the solution by modelling cross-cultural love and unity within the local church. In what practical ways can a small group like this one become a tangible picture of the reconciliation and unity that the gospel makes possible? What gets in the way of that, and what would it take to remove those barriers?

Question 5 — On Living with Holy Urgency Drawing from 2 Peter 3:11, Pastor Mirek asked what kind of people believers ought to be in light of everything that is coming. He called the congregation to stay spiritually hot, to refuse lukewarmness, and to run hard for God in the time that remains. What does it look like in very practical, everyday terms to live with the kind of urgency and intentionality he described? What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to turn up the temperature?

Question 6 — On Being About the Father's Business Pastor Mirek reminded the group that signs of the end times are not a reason to hide or retreat but a call to advance. He pointed to the church's mission trips, soul winning efforts, and community involvement as expressions of that urgency. What is one specific way God has gifted or positioned you to contribute to the mission of the local church right now, and what has been holding you back from stepping fully into that?

5. APPLICATION CHALLENGE

This week, each group member is encouraged to choose one piece of Scripture from this sermon, write it on a notecard or set it as a phone reminder, and read it aloud every morning before checking any news, social media, or email. At the next group meeting, members will share briefly how that daily practice affected their perspective on the week's events.

6. PRAYER POINTS

• Pray for discernment and protection from spiritual deception for every member of the group, their families, and the broader church body, asking God to keep their hearts rooted in the whole truth of His Word.

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the spiritual awakening of the Jewish people as described in Romans 11:25, trusting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises even in turbulent times.

• Pray that the congregation would resist the spirit of fear and lukewarmness, and that each person would find one meaningful way this week to advance the mission of the gospel with boldness and love.

7. MEMORY VERSE

2 Peter 3:11 (NKJV)

"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness."