Key Takeaways

Don’t treat temporary like eternity.

Grief is a hard reality of human life, yet it does not have to define us. As we dive deeper into 1 Thessalonians, we learn that grief doesn’t have the final answer: Jesus does. As his followers we can find freedom and peace by looking at our temporary pain and heartache through the lens of eternity.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – Paul wants to give the Thessalonians a new perspective as they grieve the loss of other believers. He tells them that because of their faith in Jesus all believers will be with God when Jesus returns, including those who have already died.
  

• Christians are built different because we know grief isn’t the end – Our grief looks different as believers in Jesus. We have hope because Jesus died and rose again, defeating death to prepare an eternal home for us with him in heaven. We don’t know how our personal story ends, but we live with a different perspective because we know our pain is only temporary compared to an eternity of peace.
• When Jesus returns – One day Jesus will come back to earth to make all things right. He will wipe every tear from every eye, and he will reign supreme over all hurt and grief. No one knows when this will happen, but when it does we will know right away – it will not be subtle. Then, all those who believe in Jesus will be lifted up to be with God forever, including those who have already died and those who are still living. The promise of this is why Christians can grieve deeply without grieving hopelessly.
• You were not meant to navigate your grief alone – God gives us people who can speak hope when we can’t find it ourselves. It’s why we need some Godly people in our lives that can remind us to shift our perspective away from the temporary and onto the eternal.

Want a printable version of this Message Guide? Download it through the link below!

Pray

God is victorious over death, so as you pray, ask him to fill you with peace in your grief and encourage your heart with the hope that those who belong to him will one day enjoy eternal life in his presence.

Heavenly Father,

We praise you because you overcame death when you sent your son to this earth to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Through your grace and love, you made a way for us to escape eternal death and receive the gift of eternal life.

Lord, we acknowledge that we do not have everything figured out, and even with the hope of eternity, we still grieve the pain of loss. In those moments of sorrow, remind us of the hope we have in you. As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, one day “we will be with the Lord forever.”

Thank you for the promise that we will be reunited with those who have gone before us and placed their faith in you. We find comfort in knowing that death is not the end for those who belong to you. Wipe away our tears and remind us that a day is coming when sorrow, sadness, and longing will be no more.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and thank him for the hope we have in him.

The Joy – The Belonging Co.

So Much – Life.Church Worship

Build My Life – Passion

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.  – 1 Thessalonians 4:14

• Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 4
• Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
• Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
• Read – Hopeful Grief – a 5 day devotional
• Watch – Bible Project’s Yakhal/Hope
• Listen – 1 Thessalonians 4 from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

We all experience grief and pain. Consider someone or something you have grieved.

• What does/did it feel like? In the worst moments, what helped you the most? As time goes on, how have your feelings changed?
• How do you believe your faith influences your experience of grief?

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Paul encourages the Thessalonians that followers of Jesus will be with God forever, even those who have already died.

• What clarity do his words bring to your own faith journey and understanding of Jesus’s resurrection and return? What questions do you still have?
• How does the promise of eternity with God shape the way you see temporary pain? Does it also influence the way you see temporary blessings?
• Considering the imagery in these verses, what do you imagine it will be like when Jesus returns?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11. God gives us other people to encourage us and help us navigate grief.

• Who in your life encourages you? How do they do it? What can you learn from their example?
• What is one thing you can do this week to encourage others? How can you extend this outside of your faith community to people who aren’t yet followers of Jesus?

In light of what you have learned through these verses and this week’s message, what do you think it means to be Built Different as a Christian?

Next Steps

• If you haven’t already joined a J-Group, now is the time. You can do so by going to: yourjourney.groupvitals.com
• You can still lead a J-Group. If you feel like you’ve been called to take this next step, head over to: yourjourney.tv/groups
• Follow along with the Slot and Spot guide. Download it here: Built Different Slot and Spot Guide

What’s one thing you learned from this message that you want to apply to your life this week? Share it in the comment section below.