Alive Again

Memory Gem: “Look, Jesus is coming with the clouds! Everyone will see him, even those who stabbed him. And all peoples of the earth will cry loudly because of him. Yes, this will happen! Amen” (Revelation 1:7, ICB).

Mama, Carlos’ grandpa is very sick, and they don’t think he will live more than two days,” said Paulo sadly.

“Yes, dear, death is a terrible thing,” said Mama softly. “It’s sad to lose a loved one.”

“I see Carlos and Belen crying a lot whenever they talk about their grandpa,” Paulo explained to Mama.

“Don’t feel so sad. There’s hope for all of us!” exclaimed Mama joyfully. “Tell your friends.”

“What kind of hope is there after you die?” asked Paulo with a puzzled look.

“The Bible tells us that Jesus will come again to wake those who have died in Him!” Mama said enthusiastically. “Let’s look up 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 to read more about this wonderful promise.”

“Great, Mama!” exclaimed Paulo. “I want to share this hope with Carlos and Belen.”

“Wow, it says here that those who have died in Christ will rise first, and those who are still alive will be taken up to meet Jesus in the air!” said Paulo excitedly.

“Then Carlos and Belen don’t have to cry anymore!” said Paulo confidently.

“Go and share this wonderful news with your friends tomorrow,” Mama encouraged with a smile on her face.

DIVE IN DEEP

• Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 with 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 and John 5:28, 29. Why is Jesus’ second coming so important to us regarding death? Would this promise be welcomed by those who don’t believe in Him?
• What was the warning given in Luke 21:34-36 concerning how we should live in these last days before Jesus comes?

LIVE IT OUT

• Pray together with your parents and/or with two friends for those who have lost loved ones, that they will trust Jesus’ promise of seeing them again.
• Decorate five or six index cards (7.5 cm x 12.5 cm, or 3” x 5”) with Bible texts that give the hope of resurrection when Jesus comes again. Share them with those who have lost loved ones.