Session 11 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Call for a volunteer to read aloud 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, !`while the group listens for Paul’s specific instructions to his readers.
1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord has come.
3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this?
Remind the group that Paul had just finished sharing how God would care for His people when Jesus returned to earth (2 Thess. 1:5-10). Now, he turned his attention to some specific truths about that event. This was necessary because opponents were creating problems in Thessalonica, sharing misinformation about the second coming.
Lead the group to search verses 1-2 for specific ways in which Paul called the church to remain calm. Guide them to locate background about key words and phrases using the information in the Day 1 Daily Exploration (p. 97). Invite volunteers to share what they discovered. Discuss: What are some tactics false teachers might use to stir up or upset believers today? (p. 95)
Distribute Pack Item 14 (Handout: The Man of Lawlessness). Lead the group to share reponses to the information distributed. Ask: How does the promise of Christ’s return help relieve the stress of living in a fallen world? (p. 95)
Paul emphasized that the man of lawlessness was being restrained until the right time comes. God’s timing is always perfect. Even when things might feel out of control, everything is still under His control.