Key Thought: The only protection against being overcome by Satan’s deceptions is loving the truth of God’s word.

[Teaching plan for The Antichrist September 17,2012]

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

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why did Paul warn the Thessalonian church members against those who would “deceive” them by announcing the second coming? Have people been deceived by that announcement in these latter years? Share.
C. Personal Application: In what ways could we be guilty of having the same attitude or characteristics of the man of sin mentioned here?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why can’t the antichrist be an atheist ruler of Europe or a communist country like some churches teach?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How was the man of sin already working in Paul’s day? If that is true, why wasn’t he revealed until the last days?
C. Personal Application: How much help from God do you need in life to keep from doing what you know is wrong when tempted?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “We are in the last days. They now have the capability to mark everyone with a universal bar code, or have everyone use a card with one on it. Computer technology shows us we are in the last days.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read 2 Thessalonians 2:8-10.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What are some reasons for not wanting to know the truth? How is that dangerous?
C. Personal Application: How do people know that you love the truth? What does loving the truth look like?
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I think the man of sin is the devil. He is the spirit that works to bring mankind into a wrong relationship to God. He is the one who wants to sit on God’s throne. So our enemy is not a man or system of flesh, but a spiritual one.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why does it say that the delusion comes from God? Does God lie and deceive the unsaved?
C. Personal Application: How is knowing the truth and believing the truth different? How does rejecting truth open the door for believing a lie?
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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