Lesson 23 Teacher Material: Living with Hope as We Prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

“Lesson 23 Teacher Material: Living with Hope as We Prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material (2023)

“Lesson 23 Teacher Material,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material

Lesson 23 Teacher Material

Living with Hope as We Prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ will “someday return to earth … [and] rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords” (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). In this lesson, students will explain why they can look forward with hope to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. They will also consider ways they can prepare themselves and others for the Savior’s return and millennial reign.

Suggestions for Teaching

The Savior’s Second Coming will usher in the Millennium.

Before students arrive for class, you could write the following on the board: Some signs of the Lord’s Second Coming: false Christs, false prophets, wars, rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, iniquity, desolating sickness, violence, and signs in the heavens (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:22–23, 28–30, 33; Doctrine and Covenants 45:26–27, 30–33, 40–42).

To start class consider sharing the following scenario:

During a lesson on the last days, Evan’s Sunday School class made a list of all the troubling signs and conditions that will precede the Second Coming. Several people commented how bad things are and that they are only going to get worse. Evan felt very anxious and discouraged as he left church.

Have you ever felt like Evan?
What might have been missing from this class discussion?

Invite students to review Doctrine and Covenants 45:34–35, 38–39, looking for the Lord’s counsel to those who are troubled by the signs of His coming. Then consider which of the following questions you might ask to help your students feel greater hope:

What is the Savior’s message to disciples who are troubled about the signs of His coming? (Students may identify a truth such as the following: The signs of the Lord’s coming indicate to the faithful that His Second Coming is near.) How can this truth be a message of hope?
What events of the Restoration are signs that the Second Coming is near? (You could review the examples found in section 1 of the preparation material. You might also add to the list of signs on the board.) How do these signs and events influence how you see the last days?
Why is it important to focus on Jesus Christ when we talk about the more troubling signs associated with the Second Coming? (Consider reviewing the statement by Elder Ronald A. Rasband in section 1 of the preparation material.) How has focusing on Jesus Christ influenced, or how could it influence, the way you see the challenges of the last days?

Remind students that the Second Coming will usher in the Savior’s millennial reign of peace and righteousness. Invite students to review Doctrine and Covenants 101:26–32, 35 and look for the conditions that will be present during the Millennium. You could record on the board what they find.

Which of these conditions are you most looking forward to? Why?

You could display the following statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen:

Nothing lifts my desire to speak of Christ more than visualizing His return. … This amazing experience will mark our souls forever. (Neil L. Andersen, “We Talk of Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 91)

Invite students to visualize the Savior’s Second Coming and the Millennium. As they visualize, invite them to record their thoughts and feelings in response to the following question:

How can thinking about the Savior’s Second Coming and the Millennium help you to live with greater hope and peace?

You may want to ask one or two students to share what they have written.

The Lord teaches us how to prepare for His Second Coming.

Invite students to review the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13 or watch the video “They That Are Wise” (from time code 0:00 to 5:46). If needed, help students understand that the virgins represent members of the Church (see Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 8).

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Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Trust your students. As students work in small groups, trust that they can have inspired conversations without your supervision. After small group discussions, discern what level of follow-up students need. For example, rather than having students simply repeat what they talked about, look for ways to build on their small group discussions.

To help students think deeply about the relevance of the parable, you could have them form small discussion groups (two to three people). Provide each group with either the handout “The Foolish Virgins” or “The Wise Virgins.” Let students know that after their discussion, they will combine with a group that discussed the other topic and share what they learned with each other.

The Foolish Virgins

Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 23

Discuss the following questions together:
- What might the lamps and oil represent in the parable? (You could review Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57 and the statement by President Russell M. Nelson in section 2 of the preparation material.)
- What might be significant about the phrases “while the bridegroom tarried” (Matthew 25:5) and “at midnight there was a cry made” (verse 6)?
- Why were five of the virgins described as foolish? (You could discuss what the phrases “I know you not” [verse 12] and “Ye know me not” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 25:11 [in Matthew 25:12, footnote a]) teach us about these virgins’ preparation.)
Identify one or two common examples of how we as members of the Church might choose to be like the foolish virgins. Be prepared to share your examples with a group who discussed the wise virgins.

The Wise Virgins

Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material—Lesson 23

Discuss the following questions together:
- What might the lamps and oil represent in the parable? (You could review Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57 and the statement by President Russell M. Nelson in section 2 of the preparation material.)
- Why were five of the virgins described as wise?
- Why didn’t the wise virgins share their oil with the foolish virgins?
Identify one or two examples of how we as members of the Church can choose to be like the wise virgins as we prepare for the Second Coming. Be prepared to share your examples with a group who discussed the foolish virgins.

Once students have had adequate time to discuss their topics, invite each group to combine with a group who discussed the other topic to share the examples that they identified.

After allowing sufficient time for students to complete the second group discussions, you could invite one or two students to share what they learned. You might write or display a truth they identify, such as the following: I can prepare for the Lord’s Second Coming by strengthening my testimony and taking the Holy Ghost as my guide.

To conclude class, provide students some time to record their thoughts and feelings about how they might best prepare themselves and others for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

For Next Time

During the week, consider sending students the following message or one of your own: As you study lesson 24 about the Final Judgment, consider what you can do to make this event a glorious time.