The second coming of Christ is a fact and an event that will happen in the near future (remembering that human's view of time is very different than God's). As believers, this is not something for us to fear. Matthew 24 and Luke 21 provide insight into many signs that will take place prior to Jesus' return.

God makes it clear throughout the Bible that no one knows the day or hour Jesus will return, but we can get a broad outline of history through Scripture. In particular, the book of Daniel contains numerous visions that, when studied, provide a prophetic framework that informs our view of the future. Although it can be confusing and difficult, this prophecy is an essential part of Scripture that warrants careful study and consideration.

Being good stewards of the families God has entrusted to us requires a humble understanding that God is the ultimate owner and we are caring for people who belong to Him. When we view our spouses and children with a proper eternal perspective, it is clear that they deserve our utmost effort in caring for them. By examining four different kinds of stewardship, we see both the benefit to biblical stewardship and the problems that arise when we are not keeping an eternal perspective in these relationships.

Jesus knew the importance of utilizing meals to engage in meaningful relationships and conversation. Often in American culture, our lives can be too fast-paced to enjoy meals with not only our friends, but strangers. We are called, however, to slow down and offer hospitality to strangers, providing opportunities to share the gospel. Learn what this practically looks like and how we can set up times to practice this in our discipleship.

Evangelism in the 21st century is a unique challenge. Today, we face barriers that create a need for having more pre-evangelistic conversations, conversations in which we help people across different theological truths before ever arriving to the gospel. One specific barrier in evangelism is the problem of idols. We often have our own idols of comfort or peace that prevent us from sharing the gospel. But those who do not know God also have idols in their life that take reign in their hearts. Learn how to address these by following principles demonstrated by the Apostle Paul in his own evangelism.

In our culture today, Christianity is an odd message to many. As we try to communicate the good news of God's grace, we often find that we need to preserve the message while adapting our methods. This workshop descries how we should adapt our presentation of the gospel to best reach our various audiences, following Paul and his presentation to the Athenians as an example. \r\n

As we prepare to share the gospel with those around us, we must be sensitive to the audience we have. While the gospel always remains the same, we need to adapt our presentation of the gospel to best fit the person in front of us. One way to do this is to quote their poets, or to use insights from their own music and movies as bridges to the gospel. If we have an accurate understanding of the "poets" of today's culture, we can use this to connect the truth to what people may already be seeing or believing.

Far too often, people are not excited about heaven because of the misconceptions around it. But if God calls us to look forward to our afterlife, we need to address five particular myths about heaven. First, heaven will not be boring. Second, we will not lose our identities. Third, heaven is not just a spiritual existence rather than a tangible, physical reality. Fourth, everyone will not be equal but instead be rewarded for their good works in heaven. And finally, we must remember the somber reality that not everyone will get to heaven. As we address these myths, we can grow in our understanding and excitement for our future home.

Jobs friends often get a reputation for being bad comforters, but when we look carefully, we see that they did many things right. We can learn a lot about how to help the broken-hearted through the book of Job, both things we should do and things we should not. We see that we should draw near with compassion to those who are hurting. This includes many components such as being inclusive, sensitive patient, and available. Alongside practicing these things, we should nudge our hurting brother or sister toward hope, because in the end, it is only God who can offer genuine hope.

Solomon was called the wisest man who ever lived and for good reason. He displayed an understanding of humans and an ability to judge truth from falsehood. This attribute of discernment is vital for our spiritual growth and effectiveness. In order to grow in our discernment, we must learn how to correctly interpret Scripture and begin learning how human nature works. In order to gain wisdom here, we must lean against the imbalances of seeing people in either an overly positive or overly negative light. This workshop then discusses several practical ways in which we can hone our own discernment.

We cannot and will not persevere in genuine Gospel ministry without being convinced that the resurrection is real. The reality of eternity is what motivates Christians to endure as spiritual ambassadors for Christ. Practical tips on how to develop a deeper conviction of the reality of eternity.

Despite teaching children about the Lord and what it looks like to follow him, many parents watch their children turn away from God and pursue the world instead. Parents of a prodigal child are often left sad, confused, and feeling helpless. However, there is a way to persevere through this trial and effectively represent Christ to your prodigal, focusing on God's eternal promises.

The teenage years are when our children are trying to form their own values and worldview. If we want to influence our teens for Christ, we must have a quality relationship with them. In order to foster healthy independence, it is important to set key goals and focus almost completely on them, learning to avoid unnecessary conflicts and adapt our parenting style to help them transition into and through the teenage years.

In order to lovingly guide people toward a full and satisfying life for Christ, we must learn to persuade rather than pressure them. This can take on many forms but always puts God at the center and focuses on grace. There are many biblical techniques we can look to to learn to persuade people to experience the fullness of Christ.

There are many views about the rapture of the Church and many unknowns surrounding the topic. However, the question is not if it will happen, but when. With many different ideas about what the rapture will be like and when it will take place, it is important to carefully consider what Scripture teaches on the subject.

The key to serving Christ through life's stages it to develop a "gospel-rooted, mission-driven, community-based" lifestyle. This focus will effect how we interact with the core areas of our lives and our faith: evangelism, marriage & family, discipleship, school/work, and Biblical teaching. In this breakout we see how all of these areas are interdependent.

A framework for suffering includes preparation, purpose, and patience. The Bible is flooded with scripture about suffering as a reality and how God can use it in our lives. It is important to focus on going through the process with God rather than on ending the suffering. God wants us to know Him and this can happen best when we go through hard times and cling to Him. Suffering gives us an opportunity to go deeper with God, develop our character and experience peace in a deeper way. Suffering with hope requires an eternal perspective.

Most of us are risk adverse in some areas of God's mission. Yet, confidence in eternity can change our perspectives on taking risks for the Kingdom. Taking risks always involves fear and growth. In order to have courage and obedience in midst of taking risks involves embracing truths that surround the risk. Trusting God feels risky but is perfectly safe. Having courage requires the need to fix our view on Jesus and the Gospel. Risk-taking is more about practicing saying yes to God rather than success versus failure mentality. God desires faithfulness.\r\n

The Xenos Junior High Staff explores the why, how, and what when it comes to teaching difficult concepts to adolescents. Teaching the hard concepts is important because they can and do understand it, they need to be equipped, they do enjoy it, and they need an alternate view to the world system. Five ways how to teach these difficult concepts: 1) consecration; 2) communication; 3) content; 4) connection; 5) context. What makes these concepts difficult is that they are abstract, complicated, uncomfortable, delicate, low immediate interest, and have large text. These areas need careful consideration and wisdom in presenting but also necessary.\r\n

We are reminded throughout Scripture to "not be surprised by the fiery ordeal" that accompanies the spiritual battle to which we belong. This spiritual battle is very real and we need to be convinced of it. The battle is in our minds and the weapon God has given us to fight in this battle is His truth. Writing out truth is helpful in arming our minds for this battle. We can develop our own personal Combat Field Manual.\r\n

The Christian's relationship with sin in this life can be confusing. This workshop seeks to clarify the biblical understanding of sin in order to have a biblical response. Scripture teaches that we are free from sin's power to condemn, define, blind, or enslave us. Still, we are not free from the battle of indwelling sin, something that God allows for several purposes. As we form a biblical perspective in this area, we can form habits of confessing and repenting of our own sin, as well as showing compassion to other sinners.

Judas, Peter, and Jesus all show very different views on eternity, demonstrated in the conversation that takes place between them shortly before Jesus was to be betrayed. Judas held the perspective that this life is all there is, which both affected how he lived in this life and the next. Peter, zealous for Jesus, focused on the coming of the Messianic Kingdom and experienced spiritual breaking in this life, but reward and rest in the next. Finally, Jesus himself anticipated his future glory and thus lived his life in obedience to the Father, serving others sacrificially. As we examine our own perspectives on eternity, we should evaluate the lifestyle and results to which those views ultimately lead.

Without the existence of heaven, the question of significance stands without resolution. This workshop explores the implications on life here on earth if there truly is no afterlife or heaven as many people believe. On the other hand, for Christians who do choose to set their perspective onto heaven, they can act in this life in a way that provides objective meaning and purpose.

The foundation of Xenos was the home group model, where the church first began. Still today, Xenos is a large church based upon a collection of home groups. This workshop explores the structure of home groups as well as some key features of these groups, including evangelism, discipleship, and community. Finally, this workshop provides an overview of leadership and home group planting.

Through examining Old Testament characters of faith, we get insight into their perspective on eternity. Through the life of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses it is clear that they lived for a future with God in heaven. This hope propelled their faith through the circumstances in which they lived and God's commands for their life.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the most important event in human history. The reality is that all people will make a choice about this fact. Paul makes it clear in his letter to the Corinthians that the existence of God and His resurrection is the one and only thing that prevents the human soul from collapsing into despair. For the believer in Christ, hope is the anchor for the soul that gives us assurance and endurance in this life.

Heaven is an often overlooked topic even though the vast majority of Americans believe in its existence. Because of this, it is common to have some confusion on the reality of Heaven. Scripture speaks extensively on the topic of Heaven however. By studying the descriptions God gives us in His Word, we can get a sense for what it will be like someday when we stand before Christ.

Christians are called to a life of endurance and perseverance. One biblical key to endurance is having an eternal perspective. The New Testament is full of references to Heaven and what it will be like, so there are many things we can know about Heaven and choose to focus on. It is important to cultivate this focus by looking for and meditating on passages in Scripture that talk about the topic of Heaven as well as emphasizing it in teachings and personal discipleship time.

Death is inevitable for all of us. We all will experience going through the grieving process of losing a loved one. Death has the ability to derail our faith or draw us closer to God. Through Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus we find God's perspective on death. God too is outraged and in anger over death. We also learn that death on this earth is not the end for those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. He has provided the resurrection of the dead giving us hope in the face of death.

God's call to evangelism is universal to all believers in Christ. Therefore, it is important that we spend time and energy helping our disciples to become self-motivated, faithful evangelists. This first requires that we ourselves are modeling evangelism and its importance. We must also correctly define what a faithful evangelist is, separating our role from God's. Other key elements include prayer, sowing seeds abundantly, making nonbelievers more comfortable, and planning moves ahead of time.

The Bible calls on Christians to live lifestyles of sacrificial love. We live in a culture that is very materialistic - hyper focused on success, money, and advancement. These things become a barrier to loving God and others. Dennis McCallum examines cultural trends, and lays out the biblical call for Christians to live simply. \r\n