8: The New Testament Hope – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: The New Testament hope is a Christ-centered hope in immortality. There is no eternal life apart from a saving relationship with Christ.
November 19, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19..

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
How closely related to Christ’s resurrection is the promise of our resurrection?
Personal Application: What does it mean Jesus is preparing a place for us? I thought we were going to build houses and dwell in them. Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I believe Christ comes to us when we die. It’s been 2,000 years since He promised to come back and get us and I don’t think He really meant to destroy the world when He comes. People die and go to heaven. Others die and go to hell.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 6:26-51..

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
When did Jesus say He would raise the dead and grant eternal life?
Personal Application: Share your thoughts on the relationship between the everlasting and our current everyday lives
Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why does Jesus compare the miracles of the loaves and fishes and the manna from heaven to Himself and the promise of eternal life?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Ask class members to share a short
Who are the others who have no hope? Why don’t they have hope?
Personal Application: Is Christ going to give us a sinless and incorrupt nature when He comes, or are we to allow His to develop a sinless and incorrupt nature before He comes? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why does Christ come with the voice of the Archangel? Does that mean Christ is Michael? I don’t understand this saying.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 15:51-55..

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
Is the mystery Paul is speaking of here referring to the secret rapture?
Personal Application: Why is resurrecting the dead and translating the living at Jesus second coming referred to as a mystery? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!