13: The Second Coming of Jesus – Lesson Plan
Key Thought : The promised return of Christ displays the fact of a loving Savior who desires to be with His people. We are admonished to daily spiritual preparation and watchfulness..
[Lesson Plan for The Second Coming of Jesus September 22, 2014]
1. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 4:13-18.
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Why is it a comfort to know that Jesus is coming a second time to raise the dead?
c. Personal Application: What is the difference in earthly sorrow for loss of a life, and the Christian grief for a loss of life? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Doesn’t this say when Jesus returns, He comes with the saints to get their bodies? Doesn’t the soul go to heaven and come back with Jesus to get their bodies?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 24:36-38.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Why aren’t we supposed to go and see if Jesus has returned to the earth?
c. Personal Application: Since we know Jesus’ coming is near, how can we not get caught up in fanaticism? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I thought Jesus was going to rapture the church before the time of trouble and leave all the unsaved behind to face the tribulation. What do you think?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 24:42-44.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does “watching” include in our being ready for Jesus
return?
c. Personal Application: Do you think you are ready for Jesus’ return if it were today, tomorrow, or the day after? Share your thoughts..
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “All the signs of Jesus’ return have been happening for centuries. How do you really know He is going to return soon?” How would you respond to your friend?
4. Have a volunteer read John 14:1-3.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How can we keep from an attitude that puts Jesus’ coming far off into the future? How does this affect a troubled heart?
b. Personal Application: How can we keep the fire going in our hearts that Jesus is returning soon, since His promise is over 2,000 years old? Share your thoughts.
c. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.
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