Are You Ready, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

To prepare to teach the lesson, "Are you ready?" from 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, think about life situations where you, or your class members have had to prepare for a coming event. For example, do you know someone who is pregnant? How should she and her husband make ready for the expected birth? What sort of things should they purchase? When should they begin to make ready?

In the focal verses, Paul ministered to the Thessalonicans as he taught them how to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Essentially he encouraged them to live a holy life as preparation for Jesus' return. He exhorted them to be ready.

What would you give as tips to prepare for anything: a job interview, a physical exam, a move to a new location, an emergency, or to teach the Bible on Sunday?

Collage poster

The file, “Poster Size Collage,” contains the collage slide of a previous post, the PPT page size is set to 48” x 34”. This is a poster size I've used effectively in the past, but you can change the dimensions to whatever suits your printer. For example, go to File->Page Setup-> and change the size 10” x 7.5”, which fits on a 11” x 8.5” piece of paper.

Some do, some don't

Well, Jeff Meyer of Bayleaf Baptist provided a lesson plan for "Whose Life is Important?".

Interestingly, Carmel Baptist did not, and neither did Second Baptist, Houston. I could have missed their plans, but it appears they do not teach a "sanctity of life" lesson, or at least don't teach it on the same schedule as other churches.

Digging up the past

Two years ago, I posted on this blog my PPT slides for the sanctity of life lesson, “Valuing Every Life”. Since some of the focal passages overlap with this week’s lesson, I suggest you look at the slides to see if they can be of any help to you.

A couple of other posts related to that previous lesson includes Dumbfounded, and God Accompanied Noah.

I found these just by searching this blog. If nothing else, its at worst a good filing system for previous lesson material :)

Whose life is important?

What makes a good lesson? Grabbing people’s attention is key. How do you accomplish this in Sunday’s lesson, “Whose Life is Important?”

You can start off discussing political correctness, situation ethics; end justifying the means, or philosophies like humanism.

However, I suggest something visual since the lesson is about life. One idea that strikes me as useful is to show a collage of various images like the example given below. These images correspond to the focal verses covered in the lesson, which all teach the value of human life (see Brian Harbour’s plan (p. 7)).

PPT slides for "What Hope Do You Have?", 1 Thes 4:13-18

I posted my PPT slides for Sunday’s lesson, “What hope do you have?” I structured the lesson to be more interactive, so instead of their usual density, the slides are more suggestive. I may need to add a slide concerning the timing of the rapture, but I don’t want to have a dispensational versus covenant theology discussion.

If my slides don’t help you, try using Jeff Meyer’s lesson plan, or the plan (p. 6) from the Riverland Hills Baptist Church site by Brian L. Harbour.

Without warning

Step 4 of the lesson, “What Hope Do You Have?” is based on 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. I thought it would be instructive for members to read these verses in two translations and a paraphrase, comparing the later to a formal equivalent translation.

In this passage, Paul clearly expected the Lord to return at any time, possibly while he was still living. He communicated “no early warning sign” that would tip off the occurrence of the rapture (harpazo). In other words, the rapture will occur without warning, and can happen at any moment (1 Cor 15:51-52).

Putting 2+2 together

If I understand 1 Thessalonians 4:14 correctly, Paul took several facts into account. (1) Jesus died, and (2) was raised to life by God. (3) Believers die, and (4) are immediately with Christ after death of the body (2 Cor 5:8, Phil 1:23), which will be eventually resurrected (1 Cor 15). (5) Christ is coming again. Hence, those who have died and are with Christ will return with Him when He comes again. God will make this happen.

To help members think about key truths in the Bible, before I present 1 Thessalonians 4:14, I will show the following as a slide:
After a few members answer, I will move on to Step 3 on the lesson, “What Hope Do You Have?”.

P.S. I don’t plan to bring it up in class, but this week’s Travolta family tragedy may give rise to questions about what Scientology teaches regarding an afterlife.

Ignorance and examples not to follow

Examining the key words in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, the emphasis in step 2 of the lesson, “What Hope Do You Have?,” is that Christians should not be ignorant and grieve in the same way as unbelievers who have no hope.

To make my lesson interesting on the point of ignorance, I'll cover the afterlife alternatives offered to unbelievers by various worldviews and religions (see Mark Rathel’s commentary).

For the element on grief, I’m considering an example of what Christians ought not to emulate by reading this 1932 poem by Mary Frye. I’d really appreciate your thoughts. Am I interpreting the poem as something unbelievers advise doing?

P.S. Below, you can “react” this post with a single click.

What Hope Do You Have?, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The lesson, “What Hope Do You Have?” is exciting because it’s based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, where Paul explains why Christians have reason for hope.

The LifeWay Adult Leader Guide (p. 71) suggests introducing this lesson using an obituary page from a newspaper. This might go well in your class, but I can imagine this might not excite interest from members in my class. So I went looking for alternatives.

Mark Rathel’s commentary introduces this lesson by noting what various worldviews and religions teach regarding an afterlife. This approach could be informative as well as interesting.

Louis Johnson’s commentary introduces this lesson likening the irony in a local news story to that of how believers’ have trouble in their lives, yet they are concerned about leaving it (by death). I like the idea, but it may be too subtle to grab everyone’s attention.

Joy Ross’s commentary uses a child’s reaction at a funeral to introduce the lesson. Reminds me of the story in Jim McCullen’s commentary of a child’s reaction to an open grave.

My hope for a successful lesson opening is to use a simple quiz, which asks, “Which of the following words do not appear in the Bible?”

* Trinity
* Rapture
* Omnipotence
* Atheism
* Hope

This will get members thinking about what’s in the Bible, and what’s not. This can be leveraged into discussion of reasons why Christians have hope.

What's best for me, or others?

Steps 4 & 5 of the lesson, “What’s your goal in life?,” are exhortations to practice love according to Dr. Sam Tullock’s commentary. One way to think about agape love is to define it as “doing something that’s in the best interest of someone else” (which may not be in your own best interest).

With this idea of love in mind, read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, and think about how leading a quiet life, minding your own business, and doing your job can be something done in the best interest of outsiders (unbelievers). Check out an example of the normal mode: “to do what’s best for me.”

Site Update, 2008

Happy New Year!

Usage of this blog grew again in 2008. The year-over-year growth can be seen in the following statistics (taken from statcounter.com):

------------------------Average Per Month
Year: ----------------> 2006 2007 2008
Page loads: ----------> 2640 5296 8,307
Unique visitors: -----> 1046 2237 3,667
First time visitors: ---> 644 1327 2,224
Returning visitors: ---> 403 911 1,443

The bar chart (below) graphically shows 2008 traffic by month to this site. For comparison, I also reported traffic to this site in 2006 and 2007.

I also posted PPT-lesson slides 20 weeks in 2008, which were downloaded an average of 84/post. If I were more consistent, this number would probably increase.

Thank you for visiting here. Take a moment to sign up as a Follower (see right side of this page). May the Lord continue to bless Bible teachers in 2009 as we prepare together to teach His word each Sunday.

Oh my!

Step 3 of the lesson, “What is your goal in life?” informs believers regarding God’s will for sexual purity (confining sex to marriage of a man and woman). Is this a problem for our class members today? If you believe the statistics, it is. Given the Bible’s clear teaching on this matter, why do you think it is still prevalent in the church? Ignorance of the Word? No fear of the Lord? Lack of spiritual growth? Some members are unbelievers? Impulsive behavior?

Have an honest discussion about this issue in your class, and ask members to help add to the suggestions above. Understanding “why” might lead particular individuals to come to grips with personal sin. Perhaps you should lead the class in praying thru 1 John 1:9.

Forgetting facilitates growth

Step 2 in the lesson, “What is your goal in life?” emphasizes the principle of how believers should live, but it also highlights that a growth process is at work—“do so even more”.

Call this phrase to the attention of class members and then ask, “What does it mean that adult Christians are to ‘do so even more’?” Pause and allow members to answer.

The pause may seem a bit awkward, but asking a question like this forces class members to think beyond simple factual recall. Afterward you can bring out an illustration by reading Philippians 3:12-16. Forgetting facilitates growth. How so?

If you have time, the LifeWay ETB Adult Leader Guide asks the discussion question: “Do Christians have the right to live as we want, since we cannot lose our salvation? Why?” (p. 62). What Bible verses would you cite to support your thinking?

We can discuss answers to these questions here if you post a comment.

What is your goal in life? 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Joy Ross’s commentary on this week’s lesson from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, “What is your goal in life?” shares her husband’s goal to bring her a brass tea service from Southeast Asia.

To get members thinking about how they approach establishing a life goal, consider introducing the lesson with brief statements illustrating various philosophies of life. Identify the author’s implied goal in life based on their philosophical quote. Goals may include “just trying to live,” “live it up,” or “seeking what’s in it for me”.

What is your philosophy of life? What goal does it translate to?

When others cared for you, 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13

The lesson, “When others cared for you,” is based on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13. This passage reveals the reality of spiritual warfare (see 2:18 and 3:5). Mark Rathel’s lesson commentary makes a point of Paul’s example of discipleship. He notes Satan’s number one strategy is to take advantage of our “busyness”.

Holding a discussion on busyness is one way to introduce the lesson. Certainly all of us have used the “too busy” excuse to care for others at one time or another.

Perhaps a way to start the lesson is to talk about our “list of things to get done.” What fails to make your list?

To the point

A lesson plan "For Christmas" from Dr. Lucien Coleman was posted on the Riverland Hills Baptist Church site. It's brief, and offers a pointed message. He uses the traditional "nativity scene" as an ice-breaker.

What are your picks for the top 10 Christmas specials that have been broadcast on TV? You could show the list to your class to see if anyone remembers what made them special?

The lesson covers Mary's Song, so you might want to discuss the top 10 Christmas songs (one of many such lists) instead.

If you have a last minute question about the lesson, post a comment. I'll reply, and perhaps others, too!

For Christmas, Luke 1:26-56

Remember, as teachers, we want our Bible lessons to be clear, relevant, interesting, and biblically based.

As an aid toward one of these ends consider building your lesson “For Christmas“ around a video. As an example, I like the Jesus and Santa video. It should help make the message of your lesson clear. The video, What is the Christmas Story should help make the message clear, relevant and interesting. A Christmas Response is based on Luke 1:31, and fits the LifeWay lesson plan, but it could help your lesson be more relevant and interesting.

Last minute help!

A few last minute links for help in teaching 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16:

* Jeff Meyers lesson plan: “When Others Helped You”

* Houston’s Second Baptist lesson plan: “Pattern for Persuasion,” by Wallace Henley

* Riverland Hills Baptist Church lesson plan: “WHEN OTHERS HELPED YOU,” by Brian L. Harbour (see p. 2)

Resume lying

Paul was in Corinth when he pinned 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, the background passage for this week’s lesson, “When Others Helped You”. Had the Thessalonians been “taken for a ride?” Was Paul deceiving them?

Scan 2 Corinthians 10-13, paying attention to the context of 10:7, 10:12, 11:5-6, 12:1, 12:11, 13:3, and 13:5. Notice that Paul is defending himself to the Corinthians. Had he “sold them a bill of goods?” Had he misrepresented himself?

Resume lying is a common practice today. According this article, it’s as high as 50%. To help learners understand the context of 1 Thessalonians, bring up the topic of misrepresenting oneself, and the negative results of lying on a resume.