Tue June 23

Listen up, little ones

Especially for the littles in your household.

Listen for the words Jesus and rose.

Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:14—If We Believe …

Optional Reading

1 Cor 15:12-22

Keys for kids

Also for the littles. Young households might choose, after Keys for Kids, to go directly to praise and prayer.

Jesus died and rose again.
Christianity is historically true.
We should remember that when we grieve over death.

Questions

(Some read the ?s before the notes/ ask them after.)

How do we know Christianity is true?
What difference does that make to us?
Does it matter if Jesus rose again?

Notes

(See Saturday for authors. Today’s notes are from a commentary on 1 Thessalonians by Mark Howell.)

To clear up the Thessalonians’ confusion and to answer their questions, Paul was going to begin with what they already knew was true—the historicity of the Christian faith.

Paul begins by reminding the Thessalonians of the most significant truth of the Christian faith: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again.” … The Thessalonians’ confusion was the direct result of a lack of theological understanding and perspective. Their ignorance led to their grief and sorrow. … Christianity is a historical faith. … It is rooted in verifiable history. It’s not simply a faith; it’s a reasonable faith. …

The Thessalonians needed to be reminded of the very truth that transformed their lives. Grief was a normal emotion as they thought about their dead loved ones, but to sorrow like those who did not have hope was to forget the very purpose for which Jesus came. …

That Jesus died is essential, but that He was raised from the dead is imperative. A dead Jesus does nothing to bring Christians hope. Paul therefore reminds them of a transforming truth: the death of Christ purchased their redemption, but the resurrection of Christ proves their redemption. …

Paul thus points to the historical fact of the resurrection as proof that God will also resurrect every believer who dies. … Since God was faithful to raise Jesus from the dead, the same promise holds true for those who love Him.

Swedish Method questions

See the Sunday notes for meaning of the symbols.

Praise

Psalm 25b, 111d

Prayer

Rejoice that Jesus died and rose again for us.
Give thanks for something from last Lord’s Day’s sermons.
Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.