Life Group Questions
Luke 21:5–38
Big Idea: Open your eyes to what really matters. Jesus is coming again, and His followers should live ready.
1. Open Your Eyes to What Is Temporary
Read: Luke 21:5–9
The disciples were impressed by the beauty and strength of the Temple, but Jesus told them that the very thing that looked permanent would one day be destroyed. Instead of giving them a detailed timeline, Jesus warned them not to be deceived or terrified.
Understand
What were the disciples focused on in verses 5–6? What did Jesus see that they could not see?
Why do you think Jesus responded to their question about when these things would happen by warning them about how they should live?
What do the commands “do not be led astray” and “do not be terrified” teach us about how Christians should respond to uncertainty?
Apply
What is something in your life that feels permanent right now but really isn’t?
Where are you most tempted to place your security—money, career, relationships, possessions, politics, health, comfort, or something else?
How would your priorities change if you truly believed that Christ’s Kingdom is the only kingdom that will never fall?
2. Open Your Eyes to Opportunities to Witness
Read: Luke 21:10–19
Jesus told His disciples that following Him would not always make life easier. They would experience persecution, rejection, and suffering. But Jesus gave them a radically different perspective: “This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”
Understand
What kinds of difficulties did Jesus tell His disciples they would experience?
What does Jesus mean when He describes persecution as an “opportunity to bear witness”?
The sermon says, “Endurance is not what saves us. Endurance reveals genuine faith.” What is the difference?
Apply
How can difficulties actually create opportunities for us to show others what genuine faith in Jesus looks like?
3. Open Your Eyes—Your Redemption Is Drawing Near
Read: Luke 21:20–28
Jesus describes Jerusalem’s coming destruction and then points beyond it toward His ultimate return. While the world responds with fear, Jesus tells His followers to “straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Understand
What contrasts do you see between the world’s response in verses 25–26 and the believer’s response in verse 28?
Why should the return of Jesus produce hope rather than fear for someone who belongs to Christ?
The sermon says, “Our hope is not in this life. Our hope is that Jesus wins.” What does that mean practically?
Apply
What current situation in the world or in your personal life is creating fear or anxiety for you?
How does knowing that Jesus ultimately wins change the way you look at that situation?
What would it look like this week to “raise your head” and live with confidence in Christ rather than fear.
Read: Luke 21:29–33
Jesus uses the fig tree to teach His disciples to recognize what is happening around them. Then He gives them something permanent to stand on:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”
Everything else changes—culture, technology, economies, governments, and opinions—but God’s Word does not.
Understand
What is Jesus teaching through the illustration of the fig tree?
Why is verse 33 so important when everything around us seems uncertain?
Apply
What currently has the greatest influence over how you interpret life: Scripture, culture, social media, fear, personal feelings, politics, or other people?
What is the difference between reading the Bible for information and allowing Scripture to become the lens through which you understand life?
When facing a major decision or difficult circumstance, how could you develop the habit of asking:
What does God’s Word say? What does it reveal about me? How should I respond?
The sermon challenges us not merely to understand the Bible, but to allow the Bible to shape how we understand everything else.
5. Open Your Eyes to Your Own Heart
Read: Luke 21:34–38
Jesus ends the teaching by turning the disciples’ attention inward:
“Watch yourselves.”
The greatest danger isn’t simply what’s happening around us. It’s becoming so consumed by everyday life that our hearts drift away from Jesus. The sermon describes watching as “faithfully following Jesus until He comes.”
Understand
According to verses 34–36, what things can weigh down our hearts?
What do you think Jesus means when He commands His followers to “stay awake”?
Why is it possible to become so busy living everyday life that we forget what ultimately matters?
Apply
What is currently weighing down or distracting your heart from Jesus?
If Jesus returned today, is there anything in your life you would immediately wish you had changed?
Is there something God has already told you to do that you have
Review the application points
1. Hold This World Loosely Because It Will Not Last
The sermon reminds us that our houses, money, careers, possessions, comfort, and even our physical health are temporary. Jesus, His Kingdom, His Word, and people.
Discuss: What is one temporary thing you may be holding too tightly right now? What would it look like to put it back into God’s hands?
2. Make Scripture Your Primary Lens for Understanding Life
Discuss: What is one practical change you could make this week so that God’s Word influences you more than the voices around you?
3. Live Every Day Ready to Meet Jesus
The sermon gives several practical ways to do this: keep short accounts with God, don’t postpone obedience, stay close to Jesus daily, and keep your priorities eternal.
Discuss: Of those four areas, which one does God need to work on most in your life right now?
Final Group Question
Close in prayer
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