Session 6 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
be aware of the emotions experienced while listening to Paul’s words.
Invite volunteers to share specific words or phrases that stand out to them.
17 Then we who are still alive, who are left,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,
and so we will always be with the Lord.18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
In verse 18, Paul called on the church to encourage one another with these words.
The command was written with the expectation that the Thessalonian believers would live this out immediately.
Call for volunteers to share ways people encouraged them through grief.
Guide the group to review and summarize the comments in the Day 5 Daily Exploration (p. 59) about those who are grieving.
Stress that Paul did not call the church at Thessalonica to be there merely in the moment,
but rather to engage in an extended partnership.
Call attention to the Key Doctrine: Last Things (p. 55).
Invite volunteers to share how 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
demonstrates this doctrine.
Read aloud, or invite a volunteer to read aloud,
Luke 21:27-28 and Jude 14.
Luke 21:27-28 NASB
27 "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory.
28 "But when these things begin to take place,
straighten up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption is drawing near."Jude 1
14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam,
prophesied, saying, "Behold,
the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones,
Call attention to the summary statement on page 52:
The promised return of Christ gives believers hope when grieving.
Point to the bulleted statements under Apply the Text (p. 56).
Lead the group to discuss how each bulleted statement relates to the session summary statement.
Call attention to Pack Item 6 (Poster: 1 Thessalonians 4:13).
Challenge everyone to memorize this verse, in addition to their memory verses for the session,
as a way of remembering the hope the promised return of Christ gives believers when grieving.
Invite volunteers to share what Christ’s promised hope means to them in regard to grief.
Guide the group to discuss the third question set:
Share with each other times when you experienced the death of a loved one who was a believer.
What specific and tangible actions can your group take this month to encourage each other? (p. 56)
Close in prayer,
thanking God for the hope of Christ’s promised return.
Include a time of silent prayer for those who are grieving within your group
and others of whom you are aware.
Reinforce group involvement by gathering the group to discuss final plans for Easter next week. Pray as a group that the Easter message will be real and vivid to everyone, including those for whom it is familiar. Pray for those who will hear about Christ’s resurrection for the first time.