During the weekend message, we were reminded of the remarkable truth that Jesus will return one day. We do not know when. His return could be today, tomorrow, or years and years from now. The question we have to answer is, “How do we live in light of Jesus' return?” Today, we are going to answer that question by looking at a parable Jesus told about a king who went on a trip and how his servants prepared for his return. As we study this story from Jesus, we will be challenged to be ready for the day when Jesus, the King of all kings, returns, stewarding everything He has given us, our time, resources, and gifts, to make an impact for Him.
Where is your favorite trip you have taken? Why
1. Read Luke 19:11-27. How does knowing the purpose of this parable, “to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away,” impact your understanding of this parable told by Jesus?
Luke 19:11-15
The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away. 12He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. 13Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ 14But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’ 15“After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were.
2. Read Luke 19:16-27. Look at the servants’ interaction with their master when he returned from his trip. What does the master’s response in this story to the three servants reveal about God’s expectations for His followers as we wait for His return?
Luke 19:16-27
The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’ 17“‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’ 18“The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’ 19“‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’ 20“But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. 21I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’ 22“‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 24“Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ 25“‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’ 26“‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 27And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”
3. Read 1st Corinthians 3:11-15. What is our motivation to live in a way that honors God as we wait for Jesus’ return?
1st Corinthians 3:11-15
11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
4. Read 2nd Peter 3:8-9. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about God’s timing?
2nd Peter 3:8-9
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
1 Based on the Scripture we studied today, how do we prepare right now for the return of Jesus?
2. The servants in Jesus’ parable were given money to invest. When it comes to waiting for Jesus’ return, what does God give His people to invest in well while we wait?
3. What skills, gifts, talents, and abilities has God specifically given you to invest well?
Jesus’ return is imminent. During His earthly ministry, Jesus said that “no one knows the day or hour” of His return (Mark 13:32). What we do know is that He will return, and when He does, we will stand before God and account for how we lived our lives. As you think about this truth, what is a step you can take this week to better prepare for His return? Share your answer with your group. When you are finished, pray together. Pray for boldness as you seek to prepare well for the return of Jesus.
We have discovered two important truths in our Bible study time together: First, Jesus is returning one day. Second, we will give an account for what we did with the time, talents, gifts, and resources He gave us here on this earth. While we do not know when He will return, we can be certain that He will. While we wait, we have a job to do: to invest our lives well for Him. For the next few moments, take a look at three ways we can wait for the return of Jesus well: make the most of your time, share your faith, and focus on the end: eternity with Christ.
We do not know when Jesus will return. He could return tomorrow or not in our lifetime. Our time on earth is both uncertain and limited. What we have is today. Our responsibility is to make the very most of every day, hour, and minute we are given.
1. Read Ephesians 5:15-20.
Ephesians 5:15-20
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Which of the instructions for making the most of every moment we have in this passage of Scripture stands out the most, and why?
3. When it comes to making the most of our time, what things hold us back?
4. As you consider how you are making the most of your time, how is it going? What is going well? What needs improvement?
After placing our faith in Him, perhaps the most important thing we can do with our lives is to make Him known to those around us. After all, every single person we encounter needs the hope of Christ. As His followers, we are tasked with spreading His hope to the lost world around us.
1. Read 2nd Corinthians 5:18-21.
2nd Corinthians 5:18-21
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2. How does the reminder that we are “Christ’s ambassadors” impact how you think about your role when it comes to sharing your faith?
3. In your own words, what is the “ministry of reconciliation” we have been entrusted with?
4. Who are you currently sharing your faith with? How is it going?
In our daily lives, it can be so easy to get caught up in our own routines and busy schedules that we forget to focus on what, or Who, truly matters. This world is competing for our time and attention, but we must remain singularly focused on the most important thing: Christ and His Kingdom. This is how we steward our lives well as we await Christ’s return.
1. Read Philippians 3:13-14.
Philippians 3:13-14
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
2. What is the prize Paul focused on, according to this passage of Scripture?
3. How does what we focus on impact us?
4. Who do you know who models Paul’s teaching in this passage of Scripture well, and how can we follow in their example?
One of the most important things we can do is share our faith with those who are far from Christ. Break up into groups of two or three. Share one more time the names of the people in your life who are far from Christ. After everyone in your group has shared, pray together. Pray for these people by name to come to place their faith in Christ, and ask God to give each one of you boldness as you seek to share your faith with them.
©2026 Sagebrush Church
