UNIT 5#2 THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH 2 ND /3 RD GRADE READY, SET, GO CONCEPT Jesus will come back to rule on earth; be ready for His Second Coming! GOAL Christian students will learn that because they have a personal relationship with God, they can eagerly look forward to His Second Coming. Non-Christian students will learn that they need to accept Jesus offer of salvation to be ready for His Second Coming. PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; John 3:16 Key Verse: "So always be ready at all times. You don't know the day your Lord will come." Matthew 24:42 PLANNING AHEAD Lesson Supplies Learning Activity #1: Box representing an earth scanner Telephone Learning Activity #2: Envelopes with charades cards, 3/room Craft Supplies Activity Stations: "READY, SET GO" printed on cardstock, 1/student Markers, crayons Scissors Glue sticks Teachers please note: For clarity, the shaded areas in the Planning Ahead section indicate supplies that are in and should be returned to your classroom SHARED SUPPLY bag. Items followed by an asterisk* are to be supplied by the teaching team. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, 1-800-698-7884, www.xenos.org 2 nd /3 rd Grade Unit 5#2 Page 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION/TEACHER HELPS "Ever since the sin of Adam and Eve this world has been a DARK PLACE (2 Pet 1:19), a moral 'Night' (John 1:5). By faith the believer looks forward, through prophecy, to the DAY (2 Pet 1:19), the glorious Day, which is coming, when salvation, which is now by faith and hope (Rom 8:24), shall be revealed (1 Pet 1:5), in all its grandeur and glory (1 Cor. 2:9). For this Day the hearts of God's people yearn with earnest desire." 1 "A dear brother writes us as follows: 'I find so many who are willing to receive the truth of the Second Coming, but it is generally those who are passing through affliction, or those living very near the Lord. Those who are enjoying the well watered plains of this world, seem to care very little about seeing the Owner of the Estate. But He will come. Hallelujah! He will come. Yes! He is coming. The bride who knows the Bridegroom, and is true, says, He is coming. 'Come Lord Jesus,' Come! Come!! Come!!! Come!!!! A poor cursed earth (Rom. 8:19-22) groans out Come! Thank heaven, He speaks: SURELY I COME QUICKLY.' Rev. 22:20. "Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching:... Lu.12:37." 2 Acts 1:11 tells us that, just as the disciples saw Christ leave this earth, we will see Him return. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Paul encourages his audience to remain alert and sober (5:6) because just as they know and have been taught (5:1,4) Christ will return unexpectedly (5:1-3). Matthew 24 and Luke 21 cite many signs of Christ's Second Coming. But what effect should these signs of Christ's return have on our lives today? The children in your class may very well live until the end times. It is through the Spirit's conviction in your teaching that they may realize that in a moment of time the opportunity to accept Christ may be gone for their friends, relatives, and other loved ones. Every day is possibly their final day on earth. So let's take the challenge to make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel. This lesson teaches about the Second Coming of Christ. See the chart 3 below for the distinctions between the Rapture and the Second Coming: RAPTURE SECOND COMING Believers meet Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4:17) Believers meet Christ on the ground. (Zech. 14:4,5) Believers involved become immortal (1 Cor. 15:51-53) Believers involved remain mortal (Is. 65:20; Rev. 19:18) Believers involved go immediately to heaven (1 Thess. 4:17) Believers involved stay on earth to populate the Millennial Kingdom (Mt. 25:31-34; Zech. 14:9ff) The "day of the Lord: is for Israel and unbelievers The "day of Christ" is for the church and is and is feared as a time of God's judgment (Is. looked forward to (1 Cor. 1:8; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 13:6,9; Is. 34:8; Ezek. 30:3; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:7-1:14; Phil. 1:6). 13; 1 Thess. 5:2; I Thess. 3:2; 2 Thess. 2:2) Major concern of 1 Thessalonians Major concern of 2 Thessalonians "Two things are of vital importance, in order to have the right understanding of this subject, and these are: First, The distinction between the Rapture and the Revelation [Second Coming]. Rapture means to be caught up, or away. Revelation apokalupsis) means Appearing or shining forth or manifestation (Rom. 8:19). The Rapture occurs when the Church is caught up to meet Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4:14, 17), before the tribulation; and The Revelation occurs when Christ comes, with His saints, to end the Tribulation, by the execution of righteous judgment upon the earth (2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 14, 15). 1 Blackstone, William B., Jesus is Coming, 1908, Fleming H. Revell Co., pp. 213, 214. 2 Blackstone, William B., Jesus is Coming, 1908, Fleming H. Revell Co., p. 215. 3 http://www.xenos.org/classes/principles/cpu1w9.htm. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, 1-800-698-7884, www.xenos.org 2 nd /3 rd Grade Unit 5#2 Page 2
At the Rapture, Christ comes into the air for His saints (John 14:3). At the Revelation, He comes to the earth with them (1 Thess. 3:13; Zech. 14:5). He certainly must come for them before He can come with them. The assurance that God will bring them (Greek lead them forth) with Jesus (1 Thess. 4:14) is evidence that He will first come for them, they being caught up to meet him in the air (verse 17). The Greek word here rendered 'to meet' signifies a going forth, in order to return with. Again, at the Rapture Christ comes as the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:10) to take unto Himself His bride, the Church (Eph. 5:25-32). At the Revelation, He comes, with His bride, to rule the nations (Rev. 2:26, 27; 5:10; 19:15). At the Rapture He comes only to meet the saints in the air, 1 Thess. 4:17. At the Revelation, He comes to the earth (Acts 1:11), and His feet stand upon the same Mount Olivet from which He ascended (Zech. 14:4, 5). At the Rapture the Church, like Enoch, is taken out of the world (Acts 15:13-17). At the Revelation, the Millennial Kingdom is begun (Rom. 8:23). In Luke 21:28, the Rapture is referred to at the beginning of the Tribulation. 'When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.' (Redemption here meaning the first resurrection, same as in Rom. 8:23)." 4 This is the view that is taught at Xenos with the disclaimer that no one can be dogmatic because it's not absolutely clear. Different commentators use the same verses to declare their different points of view. The main point is that Jesus is coming back and we want to be certain that as many people as possible are ready for His return. 4 Blackstone, William B., Jesus is Coming, 1908, Fleming H. Revell Co., pp. 75-77. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, 1-800-698-7884, www.xenos.org 2 nd /3 rd Grade Unit 5#2 Page 3
LESSON PLAN SET UP INCORPORATION 15-20 MIN INSTRUCTION/ INTRODUCTION 2-5 MIN TRANSITION 2 MIN LEARNING ACTIVITY #1 LG GROUP 7 MIN TRANSITION 2 MIN LESSON LG GROUP 10 MIN THE WEEK BEFORE: Plan for the SKIT and decide which teachers will play the 3 characters. Activity Stations: Craft Ready, Set, Go Instructions: Give each student the printed cardstock, "READY, SET, GO." Color the symbols in the lower box as desired. Around the outside border cut out the lower box. Cut the bottom strip of the page. Cut it in 2 pieces. Glue the pieces on the back of either side of the box to use as pull strips. Cut the vertical slits in the box with the key verse by folding the paper so that the ends of each line touch each other. Cut along the lines and unfold the paper. From the back, slide the box with the pull strips through the first vertical slit, across the top and back out through the 2nd vertical slit. Slide from left to right for the progression of the gospel. As students work on their craft, discuss the key verse and each of the verses that go with the symbols. Talk about the importance of telling people about Jesus. Missions Prayer Instructions: Talk about and pray for Oasis Giving campaign and adopted missionary child. When it starts getting cold and the days get shorter, you know that winter is coming soon. And when you start seeing stores put up Christmas decorations, you know that Christmas is coming soon. These are signs. They tell us that something we know is coming will be here soon. We had a discussion earlier about the progression of signs that indicate something will soon happen (give another example). The Bible tells us that Jesus will come back to rule on earth. It also tells us that there will be signs of Jesus' Second Coming. As these signs progress and intensify we are reminded that He will return and the time of His return is getting closer. Our key verse is, "Be ready at all times, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42). Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 24 that His return to earth would be near when they saw certain signs. Some of the signs are increased wars, hunger, earthquakes and natural disasters; Christians will be persecuted; people who appeared to believe in Christ will turn away and hate and mistreat those who continue to believe; many false teachers and preachers will influence people to believe them rather than the Bible; people will become more and more selfish and selfcentered; violence will increase. We're going see a skit that shows a humorous perspective of what it might be like in heaven if the angels and others are not ready when God says it's time for Jesus to return to earth. Drama - "Today" performed by 3 teachers Everyone grab a Bible and we'll talk about Jesus' Second Coming. Do any of you think you know when Jesus will come back to earth? Turn to 1 Thessalonians and follow along as I read 1 Thessalonians 5:1, 2, 4. So we don't know the exact day or time Jesus will come back to earth. But we do know that He will come back and we are to always be ready. So how do we know if we are ready for Jesus to come back to earth? Why did Jesus come to earth the first time? (He came to take the punishment we deserve for our sins.) Who can tell me what sin is? (It is any thoughts or actions that disrespect God, disrespect and/or hurt people.) Do you know anyone who doesn t sin? The Bible tells us that we all sin. How did Jesus take the punishment we deserve for our sins? It s so amazing that Jesus came to earth as a man to live a perfect life so He could die on the cross to take the punishment we all deserve. But knowing that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins doesn t make us ready for His return. Who can tell me how we can be sure we are ready? (When we admit to God that we need His forgiveness and ask that Jesus' death on the cross count for our sins.) At that moment He forgives us and we begin a relationship with Him that will last forever. Then we are then ready for Jesus to come back. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, 1-800-698-7884, www.xenos.org 2 nd /3 rd Grade Unit 5#2 Page 4
TRANSITION 2 MIN LEARNING ACTIVITY #2 SM GROUP 10 MIN Rationale: to apply scripture to real life. Although we don't know the exact day that Jesus will come back to rule on earth, the Bible gives some signs that will indicate that the time is getting closer. Turn to Matthew 24 to look at two of the signs. Sign #1 Persecution of Christians Let's read verses 9 and 10 for the first sign. Turn to Luke 21:12-19 and follow along as I read. What does this passage say will happen? (There will be a time of great persecution.) What is persecution? (Read Luke 5:12b, 16, 17 again.) Christians will be hated, persecuted, put on trial and even put to death because of their belief in Jesus. It will be a very difficult time for Christians but also a time when God will give great strength and power to those who persevere. Look again at Luke 21:13, 14, 18 & 19. What does God promise? It will be a time when those who trust God will see Him work very powerfully and have an opportunity to show the world that God is more powerful than any person or circumstance. The Bible promises that God will give Christians everything they need, especially when they stand with and for Him. Sign #2 The gospel will be preached to all the world Go back to Matthew 24 and look at verse 14. The second sign is that the gospel will be preached throughout the world. Who knows what the gospel is? (It is the good news that Jesus came to earth and died for our sins so we can accept His forgiveness and spend eternity in heaven with God.) Christians are spreading the gospel throughout the world, both at home and in other countries. Do you know that families from this church have gone to live in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Russia, Cambodia and Brazil so they can tell others about Jesus? Did you know that thousands of people each day are becoming Christians? When every people group in every language has an opportunity to hear the gospel, this sign will be fulfilled. So, "Be ready at all times, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42). When Jesus comes back to earth again it will be a very exciting time for all Christians. Listen while I read 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7, 10. When Jesus comes to rule this earth, we will rule with Him. He will stop all evil. Life will be so incredible, better than anything we can ever imagine. Now listen while I read 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9. What does this tell us? (Jesus return will be terrifying for those who don't know Him.) When Jesus comes back it will be the end of time for all people to make the decision to accept His gift of forgiveness. When He comes back to earth to rule as King only those who are ready will be with Him. Everyone who has heard about Jesus and asked Him to forgive their sins is ready. Everyone who has heard about Jesus but has not asked Him to forgive their sins is not ready. It is very sad to think that some people will choose to be apart from God forever. But everyone can decide to be ready. Everyone can ask Jesus to forgive them. Everyone who asks will be forgiven. Let's get into our small groups. Thinking back on the passage we read in Luke 21, what do you think? We mentioned the people from this church who are telling people about Jesus in countries all over the world. But do you know that all of us who know Jesus have a wonderful privilege and huge responsibility to share the gospel with those who are not ready? Who told you about Jesus? Was it one person or many? What made you decide you wanted to ask Jesus to forgive you? Have you ever thanked the person/ people who loved you enough to tell you? Can you think of people you know who aren't ready? Are you willing to ask God to give you the courage and boldness to go tell them? XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, 1-800-698-7884, www.xenos.org 2 nd /3 rd Grade Unit 5#2 Page 5
TRANSITION 2 MIN LEARNING ACTIVITY #3 LG GROUP 10 MIN OPTIONAL ACTIVITY Let's pray now. If you are not ready for Jesus' return, you can get ready right now by telling God that you know you need His forgiveness for your sins and want Jesus' death to pay the punishment for you. Those of us who are ready can ask God for His boldness to talk about Jesus to our friends and family. We need to also pray that God will give these people minds and hearts that want to hear. Finally, let's thank God that He has told us everything we need to know in His word and that He gives us signs to remind us that Jesus will come back. Let's play a game of charades to see if we can act out and guess the different signs that will remind us to be "Be ready at all times, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming." GAME Charades Instructions: Divide students into 3 groups to play team charades. Give an envelope with the signs to each team. One player from the team will be the actor. He or she will step away from the group and draw one sign out of the envelope. Then, using gestures only, that team member will act out what the sign says. The other team members will guess the sign. The team has approximately one minute to guess the sign once the team member begins acting. After four or five rounds of this, call time. The team that has guessed the most signs correctly is the winner. Debrief: The Bible teaches us the signs to show us that Jesus' return is getting closer. Knowing these signs and their meaning will help us look forward to Jesus' return. Have students make up their own signs for another round of Charades. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, 1-800-698-7884, www.xenos.org 2 nd /3 rd Grade Unit 5#2 Page 6
Today 5 Characters: Scene: Michael, the angel Gabriel, the angel Abraham A table sits in the middle of the stage with a box representing an earth scanner on it. A phone sits on the table also. Michael stands behind or beside the scanner adjusting knobs. Telephone rings Oh WOW, it's the hotline. Answers phone Yes sir, good morning. Today? Right now? But nobody is expecting it! Pause Right sir, they are supposed to be watching and prepared, and a few are, but yes, sir yes right away, sir. Dials the phone Hello, Dave? Get the troops ready. Today is C-day! Yes, I mean today! Gabriel enters singing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" and struts around during the following conversation, but hardly ever looks at Michael Well, Michael, I see things are in order this morning. Gabriel, my friend, you better get your lips tuned up and your trumpet polished. These lips are always tuned. Always ready to sound forth the call of God. Well, you Always in tune for the Lord. Then you are already Always polished up and ready to blow is the trumpet of this angel. Then you'll be glad to hear that today is the day. Gabriel not listening to Michael My troops of trumpeters always stand with horns ready to blow forth the call of God, whenever that may be TODAY? It can't be! I'm not ready! I have to practice. I don't even remember how to blow charge. My troops aren't ready. Are you sure it's today? How could it be? That's what the Almighty said. I just talked to him on the hotline. Man, I better get ready. Hurries out, runs into Abraham 5 Adapted from Rice & Yaconelli, Greatest Skits on Earth Vol. 2, 1987 by Youth Specialties, Inc., "Today?" pp. 166-169. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, 1-800-698-7884, www.xenos.org 2 nd /3 rd Grade Unit 5#2 Page 7
Morning, Gabe, what's the hurry? I'm not ready! What's with him? What's he mean he's not ready? Not ready for the C-day. Really? I thought everybody was ready for that day. When it comes I'll be ready. But that will probably be a good while. I don't know, Abraham. It could be sooner. What do you mean? I thought a bunch of signs had to occur first. Suppose they already have. Maybe, but I just don't think Jehovah would do it yet. See, I figure there is going to be this war Abe, I got a call from the Almighty a little while ago. He said he's decided upon a day. When, Mike? You gotta tell me! Today. TODAY? It can't be! I'm not ready. I've got to get my people ready! I've got to get all Israel together. I gotta find Moses and Aaron. Exit Abraham, Enter Gabriel How's it look, General? Real good, Gabe. There's a bit of confusion, but things are shaping up. Are the troops in line? Ready to go. Good. We've got just a few minutes to countdown. I've been watching the earth scanner. It looks like we aren't the only ones surprised and unprepared. There are a lot of people down there who are clueless. There's going to be great confusion on earth. (picks up the phone) Yes, this is General Michael. Get ready for the countdown. (pause. looking down at earth scanner) Ready or not, here we come. Exit. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, 1-800-698-7884, www.xenos.org 2 nd /3 rd Grade Unit 5#2 Page 8