Sunday School Lesson April 18, 2021
Subject: The Return of Jesus
The Point: Jesus will return to establish His eternal kingdom.
The Passages: Matthew 24:3-8, 29-32, 42-44
Study The Bible: Matthew 24:3-8
1). Signs point to the return of Christ.
- While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
- Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
- For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many.
- You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars, See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet.
- For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
- All these events are the beginning of labor pains.
Lasting truths from: Matthew 24:3-8
* Believers need to be on guard against false teaching.
* Many false teachers will claim the authority of Jesus in the last days.
* Wars, famines, and earthquakes are only the beginning of the trouble leading up to Jesus’ return.
2). Jesus will visibly return to earth.
Matthew 24:29-32
- “Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
- Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
- He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
- “Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.
Lasting truth from: Matthew 24:29-32
* Cataclysmic events will precede Jesus’ coming.
* Jesus will visibly come with power and great glory.
* Jesus will gather His children from one end of the sky to the other.
3). We should be prepared and ready for Christ’s return.
Matthew 24:42-44
- Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
- But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into.
- This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Lasting truth from: Matthew 24:42-44
* No one knows the exact time of Jesus’ second coming.
* Jesus’ second coming will occur at a time some do not expect.
* Believers should stay alert and ready as we anticipate Jesus’s return.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this lesson, respond to the following questions:
- As you compare Jesus’ words with current events, what evidence might lead us to believe His coming could be soon?
- How does the assurance of Jesus’ second coming provide us confidence for daily living even if His coming is many years from now?
- What steps can we take as we await Jesus coming? How are you motivated to reach the nations with the gospel?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”