Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have everyone share one thing they were thankful for in the week.
- Have everyone share one prayer request.
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q18: Will God allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished?
A: No, God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them both in this life, and in the life to come. (Ephesians 5:5–6)
A: No, God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them both in this life, and in the life to come. (Ephesians 5:5–6)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (5 Minutes)
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NLT)
And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- What do you think it means to "grieve with hope" when someone we love passes away?
- How do you imagine the scene of Jesus returning? What parts of it sound the most exciting to you?
- The Bible says we should "encourage each other with these words." Can you think of a situation where knowing this information might help comfort someone?
- If you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, how might that change the way you live today?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
From John 14:1–3.
Heavenly Father, some things in the world distract me from you; they make me afraid and unsure about the future. But you are certain and your victory is certain. You have promised that you are preparing a place for me in heaven, and you will return to take me to be with you. Please give me peace and faith in your plan and give me courage to tell others about you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Heavenly Father, some things in the world distract me from you; they make me afraid and unsure about the future. But you are certain and your victory is certain. You have promised that you are preparing a place for me in heaven, and you will return to take me to be with you. Please give me peace and faith in your plan and give me courage to tell others about you. In Jesus’ name, amen.