Key Thought: God is aware of the injustices inflicted on His followers and will vindicate their faithfulness and punish their enemies when Christ returns.

[Teaching plan for Promise to the Persecuted September 10, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does our understanding of God’s grace bring us peace, even amid trials and persecution? Share.
C. Personal Application: Share an experience in trial or difficulty that you had that through it, God brought you peace.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “My life has been a hard one. Things don’t seem to get better, but worse. I am bitter and angry. If there is a God, He certainly doesn’t smile on me at all. He must have a sick sense of humor.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read 2 Thessalonians 1:5,6.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Have you ever been victimized where the perpetrators received no apparent punishment for their actions? Do you think God’s judgment will take care of those things?
C. Personal Application: Have you ever treated people badly or unfairly and have gotten away with it? How do you view the promises of God’s end time judgment? Because you’re forgiven, you won’t have to face consequences? Is that the same with others who wrong you?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How can you tell if we are suffering because of our faith and Satan is on our case, or if we are suffering for poor choices we made, or just because we are victims of circumstance and someone else’s choices?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is the primary reason for the destruction of the wicked at the second coming?
C. Personal Application: Does the thought of the second coming frighten you or bring you hope? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “When Jesus comes, He will burn the wicked with everlasting fire from the presence of the Lord. This shows that God is a God of vengeance and will punish the unsaved in eternal fire.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean to be glorified? Howe is Jesus going to be glorified in us; in His saints?
C. Personal Application: How can we learn to go about our daily lives, but with the expectation of the second coming?
D. 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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