Point One: Our Hope Needs to Differentiate Between Other Models of Hope

Point Two: Our Hope is in a Returning King to a Resurrected People

Discussion Questions:

Watch the past message, then choose questions to get your group thinking and create openness.

  1. What was something that stood out to you from this past Sunday’s message? Share what you learned and how it will impact your life.

  2. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. How do you react when you hear predictions about the end of the world?

  3. What distinguishes a Christian's grief over losing a loved one from that of a non-Christian? How do their beliefs shape their experiences and responses to loss? How does the hope of Christ's return impact the way we live our daily lives?

  4. Read Matthew 24:29-31 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. Do the teachings in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 contradict other verses about the end times?

  5. Read Matthew 24:36 and James 5:8-9. What motivates Paul to encourage believers to anticipate Christ’s immediate return, even though almost 2,000 years have gone by?

  6. In light of the sudden nature of the rapture, what area of your life needs to align with God’s will? What specific step can you take this week to address it? How can we prepare for the second coming of Christ, based on what we learn in this chapter?

  7. Think about someone in your life who might be struggling with the hope of Christ’s return. How can you bring them comfort and the uplifting message found in 1 Thessalonians 4 this week? Consider a specific action or conversation that could help share that hope and reassurance.