THE EDGE OF ETERNITY
September 27 - October 1, 2004

How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone.

James 4:14 (NLT)

What would go through your mind if you knew it was the last 30 minutes of your life? If you stood at the brink of eternity, what would be most important to you? You probably would not think about the things that command so much of our attention now - worrying about your job or your possessions or resources. Instead, your relationship with God and the important people in your life would become paramount. Clarity becomes intense at the last moments of life, and there is no time for small talk. Why shouldn’t we seek that kind of clarity now, rather than wait until our lives are nearly over? If we could see clearly what would be important to us at the end, we could refocus our lives today and not have regrets later. It could make a big change in the way we look at life. An hourglass can help remind us of eternity approaching, with the depleting sand signifying the time remaining in which we can make a difference with our lives. In this discussion, we will look at four ways the hourglass symbol brings clarity about the important aspects of our lives.

GREAT CLARITY ABOUT THE EDGE OF ETERNITY COMES IN FOUR CATEGORIES

MONDAY

THE HOURGLASS HELPS REMIND US OF REGRETS OVER WORDS NOT SAID.

[Your Objective: Commit to saying what we need to say in order to avoid regrets at the end of our lives.]

Be sure to say "I love you" before you die.

How did God demonstrate His love for us according to John 3:16?

  • What clues do people leave about their love rather than clearly expressing their love?
  • What is the significance of God proving His love for us?
  • How would it be different for us if God had not made His love for us clear?

In order to assure us of His love for us, what did God do according to Romans 5:8?

  • What happens when we withhold saying "I love you" to someone we care about?
  • What are some things that keep us from being willing to express our love openly?

Be sure to say "I am sorry" before you die.

From James 5:16, what is the connection between confession and healing?

  • What makes it so difficult to say "I am sorry"?
  • How important is it to be sincere when we say we are sorry? What does it take to say it and mean it?
  • Why do you think saying I'm sorry can start the healing process?

What is the command in Romans 12:18?

  • What are some reasons why people rationalize their failure to say "I am sorry"?
  • What place does an apology have in living at peace with others?

Be sure to say "I forgive you" before you die.

Why are we told to forgive others in Colossians 3:13?

  • Why is withholding forgiveness a dangerous practice?
  • Why does failing to forgive hurt us more than the one we refuse to forgive?
  • Why do you think these words left unsaid at the end of our lives would leave us with regret?

Discipleship (Maturity) - It takes maturity to put the needs of others ahead of our own pride or insecurities. If at the end of our lives we want to be free from the regret of leaving things unsaid, we must be willing to say "I love you", "I'm sorry", and "I forgive you" while we still have time. If you struggle doing this, begin by praying for those you need to forgive. This will enable God to soften your heart. Ask God to help you set aside your pride so you can say "I am sorry" to someone you have hurt. After you are gone, who will wonder if you really loved them? Make an opportunity to tell them right away. Share your commitments with the group and plan to share your progress at the next meeting.

TUESDAY

THE HOURGLASS HELPS US REALIZE OUR REMORSE OVER RISKS NOT TAKEN.

[Your Objective: Avoid remorse when our life is nearly over because we were unwilling to take risks.]

Why does Paul have no regrets at the end of his life according to 2 Timothy 4:7-8?

  • What kinds of accomplishments do the people in your group want to list at their last hour?
  • What kinds of adventures does God ask people to commit to?
  • What types of risks does a person need to take in order to commit to God's adventures?
  • How did Jesus' life demonstrate taking risks?
  • What are examples of God nudging us toward taking risks?

Ministry - To minister is to help others. In which ways can we help each other take the necessary risks to embark on God's adventures?

WEDNESDAY

THE HOURGLASS HELPS US REFOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS.

[Your Objective: Live a life focused on relationships.]

According to Proverbs 18:24, who can be closer than a brother?

  • How do friends or people in relationships demonstrate love toward one another?
  • Why are people and relationships the most important things in life?
  • How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of relationships?

How does 1 Samuel 18:1 say that Jonathan loved David?

  • What makes a person feel loved?
  • What makes a relationship grow stronger?
  • What things do people tend to focus on instead of relationships?

Fellowship (Membership) - With the goal of deepening friendships with others in your group, pray together that God will help you be willing and fully available to be used by God as never before, especially in lifting up and helping other members in the group.

THURSDAY

THE HOURGLASS HELPS REAFFIRM OUR RELIANCE ON GOD.

[Your Objective: Fully rely on God for everything, including eternal life.]

According to Romans 6:23, what is the free gift of God?

  • Why would God give anyone the free gift of eternal life?
  • What actions or beliefs do people tend to rely on in order to receive eternal life?
  • During what times in life do people tend to rely on God most? And rely on God least?

Read 1 John 5:13. Why did God write things to those who believe in the name of the Son of God?

  • Why is it difficult for people to accept that belief in Jesus Christ is sufficient for eternal life?
  • How does reading what God has written in the Bible help us rely on Him more?
  • What things or persons in our lives do we tend to rely on instead of God?

Worship (Magnification) - Trials in life often help us reaffirm our reliance on God. During times of great need, our prayers tend to be most heartfelt. Each morning this week, pray wholeheartedly while fully relying on God to help you with a challenging issue as well as a small issue in your life. Wholehearted reliance on God is an act of worship.

FRIDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:

[Your Objective: Each member should look forward to living the rest of life with clarity about what is important.]

Begin by sharing any uncertainties you have about the nature of your own eternal life. God makes His desires for us clear in 1 John 5:13 ("... that you may know you have eternal life.") What does God ask us to do in order to have this assurance? If you are not sure you have accepted Jesus' free gift of salvation, do it now. Which of the four hourglass symbols we discussed is most significant for you now - words not said, risks not taken, the importance of relationships, or reliance on God? Tell your group which of these aspects of your life God is speaking to you about most insistently, and share your thoughts about what He expects from you. Make a commitment to take action in that area and to describe your progress when you meet the next time.