Sunday School Lesson November 19, 2023
Subject: Is Hell Real?
The Point: Eternal punishment awaits those who do not follow Christ.
Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
Study The Bible: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-7a
1). God watches over His faithful followers.
- We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.
- Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches—about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring.
- It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgement that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering,
- since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you
7a. and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us.
Lasting truths from: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-7a
* We need to affirm and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ for their faithfulness, especially in times of stress and challenge.
* Christian faith and love are not static but ever increasing expression of our growing relationship with Christ.
* The Lord grants to the faithful the privilege of entering His kingdom and receiving His eternal rest.
* The faithful can stand strong in trial because the gospel of hope in Christ is true.
* In His time, God blesses the faithful believers and overthrows the wicked.
2). Those who do not follow the Lord will face eternal destruction.
2 Thessalonians 1:7b-10
7b. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels,
- when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
- They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength
- on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saint and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.
Lasting truths from: 2 Thessalonians 1:7b-10
* The Lord will someday return in great glory.
* His coming will be a day of vindication for those who believe the gospel, but a day of retribution for those who refuse to believe.
* The punishment from the Lord will be marked by eternal separation from His presence and His glorious power.
* Those who believe—the saints of God—will have the privilege of giving the Lord glory and praise.
3). We are called and equipped to do good and bring glory to God.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
- In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith,
- so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lasting truths from: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
* Pray for one another that each of us may continue to be strong and faithful in the Lord.
* Our greatest desire ought to be that we reflect the goodness of God and live worthy of His calling on our lives.
* Live by His grace to bring glory to the Lord.
* We receive His glory only by His grace.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- Here is the most important questions: Are you safe in Christ for eternity?
- How can this session help you to share with others the reality of the blessedness of heaven—eternal presence with the Lord—and the terror of hell—eternal ruin and separation?
- How does having an eternal perspective affect your attitude and faithfulness?
- What are some ways you can you cultivate an eternal perspective?
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.”