But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 A Believer’s View of Death (v. 14) Not an end, a temporary state b. A shadow with no power over a believer A Believer’s Hope (v. 13) The source of our hope b. The certainty of our hope The Rapture (v. 17) The resurrection b. The reunion c. The renewal Discussion Questions: What was your view of ‘death’ and ‘life after death’ before you came to know the Lord? How has your view changed since then? Knowing the certainty of death or the imminence of the rapture, how would you choose to live your life? Would this focus lead you to re-prioritize how you live? Can you think of someone who needs the encouragement that Paul states in this passage? How would you share this with them?