CLICK HERE FOR END TIMES LEAD SHEET
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Goals
1. To give students a basic understanding of the major views concerning the end times
2. To help students understand that each view claims the same promise: God and God’s people win
3. To inspire students to live a life pursuing a “Well Done”
Topics
Preparedness, Stand Firm, Return of Jesus
Scripture Memorization
Matthew 25:21
GETTING STARTED (5 minutes)
(It’s important to let students establish where they are on the subject of the end times. Like many topics that are over-argued in the Church, there are lots of views on what will happen at the end of time. Allow these questions to be a springboard into the study.)
General Discussion:
• What do you think will happen at the end of the world?
• What do you think of the book of Revelation?
• What is confusing to you about the end times?
Let’s take a little test. I have nine true or false questions about the end times. All the correct answers can be found in the Bible, but let’s see how well you do.
| End Times Quiz – True or False 1. Famine, pestilence, and earthquakes will be signs that the end is near. (True, Matthew 24:7) 2. In the end times, the earth will pass away, but not heaven. (False, Luke 21:33) 3. We know that we are in the end times because there are many antichrists in the world. (True, 1John 2:18) 4. The false prophets during the end of times will not deceive Christians. (False, Matthew 24:24) 5. We will know who the Antichrist is before the end comes. (True, 2 Thes 2:1-3) 6. When Christ returns, he will find people doing the same things they normally do. (True, Matt 24:37-39) 7. The end will not come until we preach the Gospel to the whole world. (True, Matt 24:14) 8. We should live our life one day at a time and not be concerned about the end times. (False, Mark 13:35-37) 9. The end of times is now at hand. (True, 1 Peter 4:7) |
So, how did you do? The end times can be confusing, but there are some basic things to understand. By looking at a few of the most popular end-times views, we can understand the basic theories of the end times and begin to understand what the Scriptures are saying more fully. So let’s get started.
DIGGING IN (30 minutes)
When we talk about End Times views, we sometimes use the phrase “Millennial Views.” When we say “millennial,” we’re talking about a period of time of 1000 years. Almost all end times views have some foundation in that period of time. Strangely, the Bible only mentions 1000 years concerning the end times once, in Revelation 20:6.
PRE-MILLENNIAL:
In the pre-millennial view, the idea is that Christ will return before (or “pre”) the 1000 year period. During this 1000 year period, Jesus will rule on earth in bodily form. This view is probably one of most popular views, though it is held in many different forms.
It is also believed that things are getting progressively worse and will continue to do so until Jesus comes back. The rapture of believers will occur before the 1000 years begins. The 1000 years will be filled with war (often called the Tribulation), and Jesus will rule with an iron fist. The primary concern is the deliverance of Israel.
Some famous people who have held this view are early church leaders Iraneus, Papias, and Justin Martyr. The Left Behind books have gone a long way to advance this view amongst people today. This view is often promoted by the following very popular verses.
Read Revelation 20:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, and 1 Corinthians 15:25 (have three students read one passage)
Discussion Questions:
1. What is convincing about this view to you?
2. What is confusing about this view to you?
3. Do you see any problems with this view?
The Most popular beliefs are –
Pre-Millennial – Christ comes back before 1000 year
A-Millennial – 1000 year is really the church age
Post-Millennial -Christ will come back after
Preterism – Christ already Came Back when he died on the cross
MAKING IT REAL (10 minutes)
The bottom line is that each view holds the same promise: God is going to win, and people who are committed to Jesus are going to win, too. The point of studying end times is not how the end comes about, but living in such a way that God finds us faithful in the end. Even the verses we read, each is given as an encouragement to live differently, to be more like Jesus.
Read Revelation 2:10
The second part of that verse is the key to the whole book of Revelation: remain faithful and you get your reward. The goal is outlined in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats in Matthew 25:21.
Read Matthew 25:21
The goal is a “well done.”
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think it means to live a “well done” kind of life?
2. Can you see why it would be important to prepare for Jesus return than speculate on when/how He might do so?
3. If Jesus were to return today, do you think you are living a “well done” kind of life?
4. If you answered no, what needs to change for you to be able to answer “yes”?
(Have someone read the following verses)
1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 15:58
• What are we to do for one another according to these verses? (Encourage each other)
• How should we be ready for the day of the Lord (Stand firm, give myself to the work of the Lord)
Each of these passages sum up passages about end times talk. But the point is not the how/what, but will you be ready? Are you living like Jesus? Are you standing firm? Will you be ready to receive a well done from Jesus when he does come back?
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Use this prayer time to focus on living a life Jesus calls us to live. Lead the students in the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, we ask not that all our questions be answered, but that we be ready for your return. We know that in the end, you win. We want to be on your side. We want to receive a “well done.” Help us to know what it means to walk in your steps so that when the end does come, we’re ready. Help us. Amen.