I & II Thessalonians
Preparing for the Second Coming
Preparing for the End
Estrategia pedagógica
The focus of this lesson is on preparing for our Lord’s return. Of special note in this lesson is how Paul’s teachings apply to us today as we too prepare for Jesus’ return.
Note that this lesson has several sections.
Resultados del aprendizaje de los estudiantes
- Know: Understand Paul’s teachings on the second coming of Jesus.
- Feel: Take comfort from Paul’s teachings on the second coming of Jesus.
- Do: Be prepared for the Lord’s return by living faithfully according to the teachings of Jesus.
Cuerpo de la lección
Preguntas de discusión
A continuación se sugieren preguntas para utilizar durante la parte de debate guiado de la lección. También se sugieren respuestas a las preguntas para ayudar a los alumnos a comprender los distintos conceptos. Se proporcionan para ayudar al debate y no se consideran respuestas "correctas o incorrectas".
The early Christians expected the Lord to return in their lifetimes. As time wore on and they began to die, their concern was what would happen to those who had already died. As a result of their confusion, their faith weakened, and they were susceptible to false teachers.
Today, more than 2,000 years later, we share the same concerns. We, too, may doubt and succumb to false teachings. Paul's words are as important to us now as they were for them. We continue to be ready by living faithfully and we learn what to expect when our Lord returns. Anyone teaching something other than Paul's words is teaching false doctrine.
Answers will vary based on a person's perspective of death and dying.
This is a personal point since death impacts all of us in many ways.
The world does not have hope of a life after death, therefore, death is the end.
As a result, they react with fear and denial. Some take a position that God forgives and loves everyone and therefore everyone will live in paradise forever. This is a false hope.
As we grow in our faith as Christians, we see death as a natural, physical event that is a fulfilment of our time and purpose on earth. A Christian looks beyond death to life eternal as promised by a faithful, graceful and loving God.
The world sees the concept of hope as a vague feeling that something might happen or they would like to happen. Sadly, many have this false hope because of the misunderstanding of scripture or having been misled into believing a false teaching.
Hope is part of the triad of spiritual blessings Paul spoke of in I Corinthians 13:13.
It is part of the explanation of faith that the writer of Hebrews offers in Hebrews 11:1. It is a confident assurance in God's faithfulness. God promises us forgiveness for our sins through the blood of Christ. From this promise we have a confident assurance (hope) for life eternal. Early on, our view of hope may not differ from the world's view but as we grow spiritually, we begin to understand and thrive in the hope that God offers.
A key element of hope for a Christian is believe. We know we have life after death because of the resurrection of Jesus. Through this we have hope of life after death.
See the text for an explanation of these points.
- Some Christians will be alive and on earth when Jesus returns.
- The faithful that have already died will rise first followed by the Christians that are still alive.
- The Lord will descend from heaven.
- The signs of his return will be unmistakable and known by all.
- The living and resurrected Christians will ascend into the clouds to be with Jesus.
- We will be with our Lord forever.
- No one knows when Christ will return but the Bible assures believers that He will return.
It is natural to have doubts about things we do not fully understand. God does not ask us to understand everything but to accept what He tells us as true which is the essence of faith. Our role is to learn what God wants of us, obey Him and continue to live faithfully so we are prepared for His return.