I Thessalonians - Week 8
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Have you spent much time reading or studying about Christ’s return, the end times, or what happens after we die? If so, what was the most helpful resource?
The big picture of the sermon was that when dealing with death, the truths we hold will determine the hope we have. So how do theological truths impact emotions like grief? What are some differences between the ways that Christians grieve and the ways that non-Christians grieve?
Read I Thessalonians 4:13-18 to see what specific truths impact our hope in the face of death.
The first truth that Jason pointed out from this passage is that Christ will return. Which verses in this passage tell us about Christ’s return? What specifics are we given about His return?
The second truth is that dead believers will be resurrected (v16). When you read this passage along with I Corinthians 15:20-23, 42-58, are there any factors about the resurrection of dead believers that you hadn’t considered before? Or were there any parts that Jason covered in the sermon that were new to you?
The third truth is that the believers who are living will be raptured (vs 15 & 17). In your imagination, what does this all look/sound/feel like?
The fourth truth is that there will be a permanent reunion. Verse 17 says that living believers will join “them” in the air. Who is Paul referring to when he says “them”? What does that tell us about the order of things when Christ returns and calls us home?
Considering the last year we’ve had with social distancing, isolation, quarantines, etc - what are you most looking forward to when it comes to the reunion we will have in Christ?
One of the big purposes of this passage is stated in vs 13 - that we will not grieve like those who have no hope. In light of these 4 truths and the other details in these passages, what gives you hope? How does that hope impact the way you deal with grief?
How can help give hope to other believers as they grieve? What about unbelievers who are grieving?