Seminary
1–2 Thessalonians

1–2 Thessalonians

Overview

In his epistles to the Thessalonians, Paul praised the Saints for their faithfulness and success in helping others come unto Jesus Christ through their good examples. He addressed many of their questions about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and clarified some of their misunderstandings. He prophesied that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ would not occur until after a falling away, or apostasy, had occurred first.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides teachers with ideas of what may need to be prepared in advance for each lesson:

1 Thessalonians 1–3

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students bless and influence others as they strive to minister as our Savior Jesus Christ did.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to think of a time when they felt the Savior’s love because someone ministered to them. Encourage them to be prepared to share how this person’s service helped them want to follow Jesus Christ.

  • Images: Display several images that depict Jesus Christ ministering to others.

  • Video: “Ministering as the Savior Does” (13:04; watch from time code 0:45 to 1:54)

1 Thessalonians 4–5

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help students understand ways they can live that will help them be prepared for the time when Jesus Christ returns to the earth.

  • Student preparation: Ask students to imagine what it will be like when the Savior comes again. Invite them to answer the following questions in their study journals or on a piece of paper: What excites you about the Second Coming? What makes you nervous?

  • Image: Display an image that depicts the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

  • Handouts: Prepare copies of the lesson handouts so that there are enough for each student to have at least one of the three handouts.

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: One way to approach the three student study activities is to use the video chat feature to divide students into three breakout rooms. Assign a group leader for each room, and send the group leaders the contents of the handout. Have each group follow the instructions on the handout. When they finish, have the group leader assign a spokesperson to share with the class what the group discussed.

2 Thessalonians 2

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students understand the reality of the Apostasy of the New Testament Church and the necessity of restoring the Savior’s Church in the latter days.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to look up “Apostasy” in Gospel Topics on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Have them come prepared to share what they learned or to ask any questions they have.

  • Handout: Prepare a copy of “Understanding the Apostasy and the Need for the Restoration” for each student, or prepare a way to display the contents of the handout.

  • Videos: “What Is the Restoration?” (5:13), “Jesus Christ’s Church” (1:27)

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: Consider inviting someone not in the class to come and play the part of an investigator at the beginning of the lesson. Allow students to teach this person about the Great Apostasy and the Restoration.

Doctrinal Mastery: 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3

Lesson purpose: This lesson can help students memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in a real-life situation.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to ponder the following question and come prepared to explain how they would answer it: “Why did God need to appear to Joseph Smith to restore His Church if Christianity was already established and many people already believed in the Bible?”

  • Videoconference teaching suggestion: For the practice application activity, consider dividing students into three groups and putting each group in a breakout room. Each group could prepare a response to one of the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge, and then the three groups could come back together and share.

Assess Your Learning 10

Lesson purpose: This lesson is intended to help you evaluate the goals you have set and the personal growth you have experienced during your study of the New Testament.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to think about the goals they set as they studied Galatians through 2 Thessalonians. Have them come prepared to share progress they made and obstacles they encountered as they have worked to achieve those goals.

  • Content to display: A before and after image of something that needed to be restored, such as a car. An image of someone wearing armor. This could also be drawn on the board.