RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL FOR SUNDAY 20TH OF AUGUST, 2023; CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN

[13]But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

[14]For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

[15]For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

[16]For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

[17]Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

[18]Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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MEMORY VERSE: “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11.

INTRODUCTION: Acts 1:10-11 describes the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ as personal, bodily and visible, and that His second coming will be in like manner. However, the second coming will be in two stages: the rapture which will be sudden (1Thess. 4:15-17) – when the Lord comes for His saints and we meet Him in the air and then, the revelation that is public (Rev.1:7) – when the Lord comes with His saints to set up the millennium, at the end of the great tribulation period (1Thess.3:13). The time of His coming is a secret that only God the Father knows (Matt.24:36).

To enlighten the students on Christ’s second coming.

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:

Through the lesson, students should be able to:

a. Understand the prophecies and purpose of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

b. Understand the manner and signs of the second coming of Christ.

TEACHING PLAN:

To attain the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:

a. Allow the students to take the opening prayer together, recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, participate in the class activities and make contributions to the discussions.

b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to review the previous week’s lesson, conduct the class, take the closing prayer and mark the assignment.

c. Explain the lesson, summarize, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give assignment.

TEXT REVIEW: 1Thessalonians 4:13-18.

-The teacher should identify five things that have to do with the second coming of Jesus Christ according to the passage. For instance:

The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout ————-1 Thess.4:16b.

i. —————————————–

ii. —————————————

iii. —————————————

iv. —————————————

v. —————————————

-The teacher should establish the fact that the great confidence believers have that the prophecies of Jesus’ second coming will also be fulfilled is in the fact that the prophecy about His first coming among other prophecies was fulfilled.

-The teacher should identify and explain the following prophecies about the second coming of the Lord Jesus:

i. Prophecy by Prophet Daniel. Dan.7:13.

ii. Prophecy by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Matt.25:31.

iii. Prophecy by Apostle Paul. 1Tim.6:14.

iv. Prophecy by the Angels. Acts 1:10-11.

-The teacher should identify the following purpose of the Lord’s second coming.

i. To complete the salvation of saints. He has delivered us from the power and penalty of sin but then He shall deliver us from the presence of sin and Satan. Heb. 9:28

ii. To be glorified and admired in His saints. 2 Thess.1:10.

iii. To bring to light the hidden things of darkness. 1Cor.4:5.

iv. To judge (2Tim.4:1) and to reign. Rev.11:15.

v. To receive true believers to be with Himself. John 14:3.

vi. To destroy death. 1Cor.15:25-26.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: The class should discuss why some people assume/believe that Christ will not come the second time despite the prophecies.

2. THE MANNER OF HIS COMING AND ITS SIGNS

-The teacher should identify the manner, the nature and the signs of His coming as indicated below:

i. At Rapture: Saints will meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the air. 1Thess.4:17.

ii. At Revelation: The saints will descend with Him to the earth. Eph.4:10; Jude 1:14.

i. Christ is coming in the clouds. Matt.24:30.

ii. Christ is coming in the glory of His Father. Matt.16:27.

iii. Christ is coming in His own glory also. Matt.25:31.

iv. Christ is coming in flaming fire. 2Thess.1:8.

v. Christ is coming with power and great glory. Matt.24:30.

vi. Christ is coming bodily as he ascended. Acts 1:9-11.

vii. Christ is coming with a shout and voice of the arch angel. 1Thess.4:16.

viii. Christ is coming with his saints. 1Thess.3:13.

ix. Christ will come with his Holy angels. Matt.16:27.

x. Suddenly. Mk.13:36.

NOTE: The teacher should distribute the following scriptures to the students and ask them to mention/identify the signs of the second coming.

i. 2 Tim.3:1-7.

ii. Matt. 24:5-7, 12-38.

iii. Luke 21:20, 24.

iv. Rom. 11:25.

v. Matt. 24:14.

vi. 2Thess. 2:3-8.

NOTE: Some of the signs which the Bible mentioned and which the students are expected to identify are as follows:

-Appearance of false Christ, wars and rumours of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, sin will multiply, love of many will become cold, merry making, eating, drinking, destruction of Jerusalem, fullness of the gentile or completion of the church, preaching of the gospel everywhere, coming of the antichrist, etc.

D. BELIEVERS’ PREPARATION

i. While we ought to plan and work as if He will not be coming for another century.

ii. We must be prepared and live a holy and pure life all the time as if He will return today. 1Thess.3:12-13.

SUMMARY: Christ will come again.

CONCLUSION: Christ’s second coming is sure and certain (2 Pet.3:3-12).

QUESTIONS:

* When and why will Christ return?

* Mention some of the signs of His second coming.

EVALUATION: Mention the signs and prophecies of Christ’s second coming.

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, make me ready for Christ’s second coming.

ASSIGNMENT

List (5) of the ways you are preparing for Christ’s return (2×5=10 Marks).