Paul and his missionary companions found success preaching to the people in Thessalonica but were ultimately forced out of the city by detractors. Sometime after they left, Paul learned that the Thessalonian Saints had remained faithful and were sharing the gospel message with others. In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul reiterated his sincere devotion to God and to teaching the gospel. He also responded to the Thessalonian Saints’ concerns regarding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Paul later wrote a second letter to the Thessalonian Saints when he learned that false ideas about the coming of Jesus Christ were continuing to cause concern.
Paul sent greetings to the Church in Thessalonica. The gospel was spread throughout Macedonia and Achaia by the examples and preaching of the Thessalonian Christians. Paul’s labor brought others to know the “living and true God.” Faithful Saints will be spared from wrath at the Second Coming.
Paul explained that he ministered with sincerity and love, not by using flattering words or seeking for personal glory. The Thessalonian members suffered persecution for their belief in Jesus Christ. The Second Coming brings hope and joy to believers.
Paul explained that afflictions are part of mortality. He complimented the Saints for their righteous living and encouraged them to “perfect” that which was lacking in their faith. Having charity prepares a person to stand blameless before Jesus Christ at His coming.
Paul called upon the converted Thessalonians to live in holiness. He counseled the Saints to “increase more and more” in righteousness. The righteous dead will rise up at the Second Coming and be reunited with the righteous who are living on the earth. Paul asked the Saints to comfort one another with these teachings.
The Lord’s coming will be as a thief in the night to those who are in spiritual darkness. Paul described the Saints as “the children of light, and the children of the day.” Paul gave them guidelines for living as Saints. Through God’s help, the Saints will be found blameless at the Second Coming.
The Thessalonian members endured tribulation with patience and faith. Paul taught that Jesus will return to earth “with his mighty angels” and “in flaming fire.” At that time, destruction will come upon the wicked, while the Saints will admire the glory of the Lord.
Paul exhorted Church members not to be alarmed or unsettled about the Second Coming of Christ. The Apostasy will precede the Second Coming, and the “man of sin” (Satan) will be revealed. Paul taught the Saints to “stand fast” in the gospel, which had been taught to them by their leaders.
Paul and his companions were examples of temporal self-reliance as they provided for their own needs. Members were to admonish those who were idle. Saints should not be weary in well-doing.
Display a picture of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, such as The Second Coming (Gospel Art Book [2009], no. 66; see also LDS.org), or write on the board: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Remind students that while the disciples watched the resurrected Jesus Christ depart after His 40-day ministry with them, “he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel.” These two heavenly messengers announced that Jesus Christ would return to the earth “in like manner” (Acts 1:9–11). Since that day, believers have looked forward to His return. Ask:
Where can people find information about the Second Coming? (Scriptures, Church leaders, the internet, books, rumors, or friends.)
As students provide their answers, you might have students briefly explain why some sources of information on the Second Coming are more trustworthy than others.
Help students understand the context of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians by having a student read aloud the section “To whom was 1 Thessalonians written and why?” under “Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians” in chapter 46 of the student manual.
On the board, preferably before class, write the following scripture passages:
Ask students to each select two or three passages and search for important details that would answer questions the Thessalonians might have had about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Have students briefly summarize what they found by asking:
What questions about the Second Coming can be answered from what you read?
Explain that some Thessalonian Christians had allowed themselves to be deceived by false information about the Second Coming. One reason Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians was because Church members living in Thessalonica still had unresolved questions about the Second Coming.
What did Paul counsel the Thessalonian Saints to do so they would not be troubled or deceived? (Stand firm in the gospel and hold to the traditions, or teachings, they had received from Paul and other authorized Church leaders.)
How would obeying this counsel have helped the Thessalonian members avoid being deceived about Jesus Christ’s coming?
What are reliable sources we can turn to for information about the Second Coming? (After the students share their responses, help them clearly understand the following principle by writing it on the board: As we trust in the scriptures and the words of living prophets, we will learn the truth about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.)
Paul Praised the Spiritual Progress of His Converts
Display the following quotation from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or read it to the class:
Image
Elder David A. Bednar
“Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel” (“Converted unto the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 109).
Ask students to briefly describe why both testimony and conversion are needed for spiritual progress.
Assign half of the students to read one group of scriptures shown below and look for the requested information. Assign the other half of the students to read the other group of scriptures and look for the requested information. You may want to write the scriptures and questions on the board:
What evidence did you find in these verses that the Thessalonian Saints were truly converted to the Lord?
How do the things you identified show that the Saints were truly converted?
Ask a few students from the first group to summarize the group’s findings. Responses might focus on the example of love and righteousness set by Paul and his companions—they endured persecution; they were free of deceit, uncleanness, and guile; they did not use flattering words; they sought to build up God’s kingdom; they were gentle; they loved those they taught; they were holy, just, and blameless.
Ask a few students from the second group to summarize the group’s findings. Evidences that the Thessalonian Saints were truly converted could include: The Saints worked with faith and love and had hope in Christ (see 1 Thessalonians 1:3); their righteous examples led to the conversion of others (see 1 Thessalonians 1:6–10); they believed the word of God when they heard it and remained faithful despite persecution (see 1 Thessalonians 2:13–14); Timothy reported on their faith and charity (see 1 Thessalonians 3:6).
After the discussion, you might ask the following question to help students state a principle taught in these chapters of 1 Thessalonians:
What is a principle we can learn from this discussion about how we share the gospel with others and the effect it can have on them? (As a summary of student responses, write this principle on the board: When we show love for those we teach, we can help them become converted to the gospel.)
To help students feel the importance of showing love to those they serve and to consider possible applications of Paul’s teachings, ask these questions:
When has a Church teacher shown love to you or served you in a way that helped you become more converted to the gospel? How did this teacher show love or serve you?
In your current Church assignment or calling, what could you do to show greater love or service to those you serve?
What counsel did Paul give to his recent converts? (He told them to “abound in love one toward another” and live “to please God.” By doing these things, they would “abound more and more.”) What does the term “more and more” mean to you?
How does this counsel apply to all members of the Church, whether recent converts or lifetime members?
How does our desire to please God affect our choices? (Help students see this principle: If we desire to please God, that desire will lead us to live with increasing obedience to gospel principles.)
Explain to students that Paul recorded numerous ways in which faithful Saints can spiritually progress as disciples. Give students a moment to read 1 Thessalonians 4:3–10 and identify a few specific ways in which Paul admonished the Saints to live with more holiness. After students respond, consider asking a student to read aloud the student manual commentary for 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 12; 4:1–10. Then ask students to share their thoughts on Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s statement, “Discipleship is to be lived in crescendo.” Ask:
President Henry B. Eyring stated that in these latter days, the Lord will give us increased opportunities for spiritual growth. How have you experienced this in your life?
Have students read 1 Thessalonians 5:12–22, looking for a principle taught by Paul that will help them live with “more and more” obedience (1 Thessalonians 4:10). Encourage students to select one of the principles and set a goal to live it “more and more.”
Paul Prophesied of Signs Preceding the Second Coming
Write the following phrases on the board:
A thief in the night
A pregnant woman experiencing labor pains
Ask students to explain how each of these situations could relate to the Savior’s Second Coming. (A thief arrives unexpectedly; the woman has known for months that her child will be born, but she does not know the exact day.)
Ask the class to silently read 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6 and look for why the followers of Jesus Christ will not be surprised by the Lord’s Second Coming. Then ask:
Why does the Lord reveal through His prophets the signs that will precede His Second Coming?
What does it mean to you that members of the Church are called “children of light” or “children of the day”?
Remind students that the Christians living in Thessalonica were troubled that the Second Coming might have already occurred or be imminent, so Paul wrote his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians to correct this misunderstanding.
Ask the class to read 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3 and describe how the members could know that the Lord’s Second Coming had not yet occurred.
What did Paul mean by “a falling away”?
If needed, explain to the class that the “falling away” was the Great Apostasy that occurred after the deaths of the Twelve Apostles. Priesthood keys and authority were lost, and the doctrines and ordinances of the true Church of Jesus Christ were corrupted. Consider having a few students read aloud part or all of the student manual commentary for 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
Why is it important for us to be aware that the Great Apostasy occurred?
Ask students to read 2 Thessalonians 2:8–10 and mark any terms that describe what Satan is doing to influence people in the last days. Ask:
Why will Satan have influence over so many before the Second Coming?
What deceptive influences of Satan have you seen in the world around you?
How does your knowledge of the Great Apostasy and of Satan’s efforts to deceive people help prepare you for the Second Coming? (Help students to see this principle: When we know that the Great Apostasy has occurred and recognize that wickedness in the world is increasing, we will do more to prepare for the Second Coming.)
To encourage students to apply this principle, ask the following question:
What can you do to avoid being deceived by the influence of the evil one?
As a summary to the lesson, express your testimony that we receive spiritual safety when we keep the commandments and follow the living prophet.