So here’s our assignment, and I will warn you that it is a bit extensive. But being Spirit led men, I have confidence in us all, in the Lord Jesus, that we can handle it. I do apologize that it comes only a week before the actual study (as usual).
Assignment:
- First, from Chapter 6, we’ll finish discussing the last three questions (7-9) at the end of the Wiersbe book. So be prepared for those.
- Second, read the Scripture text, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
- Next, read the Wiersbe book, Chapter 7, “The Comfort of His Coming”.
- Next, answer Wiersbe’s 9 questions at the end of Chapter 7. I categorized these questions into two categories: 1.) personal reflection & examination (questions 3, 4, 7, 8, 9); and 2.) more speculative in nature (questions 1, 2, 5, 6). Therefore, while we will try to cover them all, as we usually do, I'd like us to prioritize our focus on the first set of questions that call for reflection & examination.
- Finally, answer or consider the additional Questions and Challenges that I’ve listed below. Three additional Questions and two Challenges, but the challenges are sort of questions too.
Question 10 / Challenge 1:
Reference: p. 94, Para 1, “…doctrine of the imminent return of Christ…”
This question is also a Challenge for us.
Q: Realizing that Wiersbe gives the definition (as does the Scripture give many examples), what does the “imminent return of Christ” mean?
For the challenge part, consider the following:
If imminency is a literal doctrine (teaching) of a literal event in our future, then how should I live while I wait for His return?
How am I living right now?
Does anything have to change?
Wiersbe’s Question 4 is very closely related to this question.
Question 11:
Reference: p. 96, Para 3, “The Christian doctrine of resurrection assures us that death is not the end.”
Q: Name some of the characteristics of this doctrine, with their scriptures.
Question 12:
Reference: p. 97, Para 5, “Since the shout, voice, and trumpet apply to God’s people…”
Q: What other characteristics regarding our relationship with Christ could be applied to this principle, regarding the unsaved world not being able to hear the shout, trumpet, of archangel, but specifically related to the shout of the Lord?
HINT: I was thinking of a very specific relationship that we have with Christ here.
Challenge 2:
Reference: p. 99, Para 3, “As we grow in the Lord, we not only look for His appearing, but we love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). Because we have this hope in Him, we keep our lives pure so that we may not be ashamed at His coming (1 John 2:28—3:3).”
The challenge is to TAKE some time to reflect on this paragraph.
- Does this describe my life?
- If it does not describe my attitude, would I like it to?
- What am I willing to do, to make that happen?