Session 6 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

HOPE (1 THESS. 4:13-14)

listen for words of hope for believers who die,
as well as those who remain and are grieving.

13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,
concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve
like the rest, who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him
those who have fallen asleep.

Ask:

• What has shaped your view of death and dying?

CLARIFY:

Paul was combating the false teaching
that those who had recently passed away would miss out on the resurrection,
and believers would not be reunited with their loved ones.

This was not true,
and the missionaries were actively fighting against these lies with the truth.

DISCUSS:

• How can inaccurate teachings about the return of Christ cause despair? (p. 55)

RESPOND:

Form pairs and distribute copies of Pack Item 12 (Handout: When Believers Die).

read and discuss the handout. share insight gained.

emphasizing a believers’ hope.

ASK:

• What does it look like to grieve with hope? (p. 55)

TRANSITION:

Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know
that the message he was about to deliver was from God.