August 18, 2024 – 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5

Lesson Date: August 18, 2024

Focal Scripture Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5

AIM: To lead students to discover that the answer to the world’s uncertainty is the certainty and strength that comes from knowing Jesus, and to rest in it when facing life’s challenges.

Before class: Read the notes on 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 3:5 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Write the word “Uncertain” on the board.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct everyone’s attention to the word “Uncertain” written on the board.  Ask: “What does the word ‘uncertain’ mean?” (allow time for some responses, and then tell the students that synonyms for “uncertain” include doubtful, indefinite, problematic, unreliable, and untrustworthy).

Ask: “What are some things that give people feelings of uncertainty today?”  Allow time for some responses, and then mention some of the following if the students have not named them:

• Will I find a godly husband/wife?
• Will I be able to get/keep a job?
• Will my children live for the Lord?
• Are my retirement savings sufficient to meet my needs in old age?
• Will the war in the Middle East grow and bring about World War III?
• Will America continue its downward moral course, or turn back to God?
• Will my medical tests bring good news or bad news?

Stress the fact that we don’t know the future, and we don’t even know what today will bring.  Tell the class that the world is an uncertain place, subject to change at a moment’s notice.  Ask: “How do people cope with the uncertainties of life?” (some try to drown them in drink or drugs, others try to get all the pleasure they can from today because they don’t know if tomorrow will come, and some even try to end their lives to escape the uncertainties and unknowns).

Erase the letters “Un” from the board so the word “Certain” remains.  Tell the students that while there are definitely many uncertainties in this life, the Bible makes it clear that Jesus gives certainty and strength to those who belong to Him.  Tell the class that the title of today’s lesson is Are You Certain?  Tell them we will discover several things Christians can be certain about.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Remind the students that we are studying the New Testament book of 2 Thessalonians.
   • Remind them that the new believers in Thessalonica were experiencing persecution for their faith; in chapter 1 we learned about enduring persecution.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (The Day of the Lord; we discovered some of God’s timeline for earth’s future so we can have confidence in His plan for our future).
2. Chosen by God.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
   • Ask: “What is the first word of that verse?” (“But”).
   • Explain that the word “but” is a conjunction that contrasts what is about to be said with what came just before it.
   • Ask: “What do the verses just before verse 13 tell us?” (that those who reject Jesus will be deceived by the Antichrist’s lies and gladly follow him to eternal damnation).
   • Ask: “What did Paul say in verse 13 was different about the Thessalonians?” (he was thankful that they were loved by the Lord, chosen by God, and believed the truth).
   • Ask: “What did God’s love cause Him to do for the Thessalonians?” (choose them).
   • Ask: “When did He choose them?” (“from the beginning”).
   • Tell the class Ephesians 1:4 says it this way: “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”
   • Ask: “What did He choose them to?” (salvation).
   • Explain the following:
     • When God saves us, He begins the process of sanctification in us and enables us to believe the truth.
     • This is a very stark contrast to lost people, who believe Satan’s lies (v. 11-12).
   • Ask: “If God chooses you to salvation, can you ever be ‘unchosen’ or lose your salvation?” (absolutely not).
   • Ask: “Don’t answer out loud, but are you certain God chose you to salvation?”
   • Summarize: In spite of life’s uncertainties, if we belong to Jesus we can be certain we were chosen by God.
3. Called by God.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Thessalonians 2:14
   • Ask: “In addition to choosing us (v. 13), what else did God do for those who are saved?” (called us to salvation by way of the Gospel).
   • Explain the following:
     • This reveals the importance of the Gospel, because the Gospel is what God uses to call people to Himself.
     • This reminds us why we must spread the Gospel.
     • In John 6:44, Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
     • Romans 8:30 says it this way: “Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.”
   • Read 2 Thessalonians 2:15.
   • Ask: “What should the certainty that God has chosen us and called us enable us to do?” (stand firm and hold onto what we have been taught).
   • Ask: “If God called you to salvation, can you ever be ‘uncalled’ or lose your salvation?” (absolutely not).
   • Ask: “Don’t answer out loud, but are you certain God called you to salvation?”
   • Summarize: In spite of life’s uncertainties, if we belong to Jesus we can be certain we were called by God.
4. Comforted and Strengthened by God.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.
   • Tell the class verse 16 says the Lord Jesus Christ and God the Father loved us and gave everlasting life through grace.
   • Ask: “What two things does verse 17 say the Lord who chose us and called us will do for us?” (comfort our hearts and establish or strengthen us).
   • Explain the following:
     • The words “comfort” and “stablish” (strengthen) appear eight times in the two letters to the Thessalonians.
     • The Thessalonians needed comfort and strength.
     • We also need comfort and strength to face the uncertainties of life.
   • Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3.
   • Ask: “In verses 1-2, what did Paul ask the Thessalonians to pray for?” (that the Word of God would spread and that God would protect him from wicked men).
   • Ask: “What does the first part of verse 3 say about the Lord?” (He is faithful).
   • Ask: “What does the rest of verse 3 say the Lord will do for us?” (establish or strengthen us and keep us from evil: literally “the evil one”).
   • Ask: “If God chose you and called you to salvation, what else can you be certain He will do for you?” (comfort and strengthen you).
   • Ask: “Don’t answer out loud, but are you certain you are experiencing God’s comfort and strength?”
   • Summarize: In spite of life’s uncertainties, if we belong to Jesus we can be certain God will comfort and strengthen us.
5. Confidence in God.
   • Ask a volunteer to read 2 Thessalonians 3:4-5.
   • Ask: “According to verse 4, what confidence did the Lord give Paul?” (that the Thessalonians would follow and obey his teaching).
   • Ask: “According to verse 5, what else was Paul confident about?” (that the Lord would lead the Thessalonians to love Him more and wait patiently for the return of Jesus.
   • Tell the class that 1 John 2:28 says it this way: “And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
   • Remind the students that the return of Christ is so important that Paul mentioned it in every chapter of both Thessalonian letters.
   • Ask: “If God chose you, called you, comforts you, and strengthens you, what else can you be certain He will do for you?” (give you confidence in the face of life’s uncertainties).
   • Ask: “Don’t answer out loud, but are you certain you are experiencing God’s confidence to live for Him as you await Jesus’ return?”
   • Summarize: In spite of life’s uncertainties, if we belong to Jesus we can be certain in the confidence God gives us to live for Him and wait for Christ’s return.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the class that the title of today’s lesson is Are You Certain?  Tell them in this lesson we learned that if we belong to Jesus we can be certain of the following:

• We were chosen by God.
• We were called by God.
• We are comforted and strengthened by God.
• We have confidence in God.

Direct everyone’s attention once again to the word “Certain” written on the board.  Stress the fact that the world is full of uncertainty, but the truths we have discovered today are certain.  Tell the students that the answer to the world’s uncertainty is the certainty and strength that comes from knowing Jesus.  Tell them as believers, we should rest in that when facing life’s challenges and uncertainties.

Stress the fact that there is one foundational question we must answer.

Ask: “Don’t answer out loud, but are you certain you are saved?”

Tell the students if we’re not certain of our salvation, we can’t experience the certainties we have learned about today.

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Ask: “Are you certain of your salvation?  If not, please turn away from your sin and place all your faith and trust in Jesus Christ to save you.  Tell the Lord right now that’s your desire.”  Ask: “Are you troubled by all the uncertainties of life?  If so, confess that as sin and ask the Lord to enable you to trust in the certainty of His love and care for you.”  Allow a moment for silent prayer, and then voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Offer to stay after class to speak with anyone who might have just been saved or might have questions about salvation.  Ask everyone to memorize 2 Thessalonians 2:13.  Encourage them when they face life’s challenges and uncertainties this week to rest in the certainty and strength that comes from knowing Jesus.