Key Thought : Just as surely as we believe in Jesus and His word, we can believe in His promise to return. We can’t be certain of when, but we can be sure He is returning.

[Teaching plan for “The Promise of His Return” March 26, 2012]

1. Have a volunteer read 2 Peter 3:10-13.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does being holy and godly help us be ready for God’s return?
C. Personal Application: Does this text give you hope in Christ’s return, or does it bring apprehension and concern about the events that will take place just before His return? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How can we hasten the coming of the day of God? I thought God had set a certain time to come and that’s it. Wasn’t His coming delayed already in 1888? How can we hasten His coming?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 15:20-23.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean that Christ is the firstfruits of them that slept? He wasn’t the first person to be resurrected. I think Moses was.
C. Personal Application: What does it mean that in Christ shall all be made alive? Is that just the saved, or is this referring to everyone; saved and lost? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, ”I thought Christ came to us when we die. That the resurrection takes place at death. You know, people having near death experiences going to the light and seeing Jesus or loved ones that had passed and being told that their time wasn’t up yet.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read 2 Peter 3:3,4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why do some Christians believe that we need to set up God’s kingdom here on the earth through human effort?
Personal Application: How can we anticipate the soon coming of the Lord when He has delayed His coming for hundreds of years already? How can we stay alert and ready?
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What is your reasoning for believing that Jesus Christ will actually come back again one day from the sky and supernaturally resurrect the dead? It seems so unbelievable that a person would be foolish and laughed at to believe it. ” How do you respond to your neighbor?

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

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why did Paul warn the believers not to be troubled by thinking the second coming was near? Weren’t they supposed to be looking forward to it?
C. Personal Application: What kind of falling away is Paul speaking of here? A falling away from false religion? A falling away from following the man Of sin? A falling away from the truth? Share.
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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