Here are some ideas for learning and teaching a few of the great principles in JS-Matthew 1, Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21. And while you’re here, I recommend you check out my free online course, “Seeking Jesus.”
The Second Coming Episode of Seeking Jesus
Usually the “Seeking Jesus” classes don’t align with Come Follow Me, but this week the class “Seeking Jesus Class 27: The Savior’s Second Coming” is closely connected to our Come Follow Me chapters…I highly recommend watching the whole thing. But if you prefer shorter clips…
Short Clips from Seeking Jesus
I’ve pulled out short clips from the “Seeking Jesus Course” connected to this week’s readings that you could use as a morning devotional or spiritual thought.
Highly Recommended: When is the Second Coming?
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
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Ideas for Learning More About JS-Matthew 1, Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21
***The Signs of the Second Coming***
I got this idea from Anthony Sweat. Tell all the learners to stand up . Tell them that you have pre-picked a certain moment in a song and you want them to guess when that moment is. Tell them to quickly sit down when they feel the song has hit the pre-picked moment. Tell them it could be at any part of the song, so feel free to sit down whenever you think it is. As an added incentive you could offer candy to whoever can sit down at the exact right moment. Play the song and let the students randomly sit down throughout they song as they feel the pre-picked part of the song is hit.
When it is all done, tell the class who got it (usually nobody gets it, especially if you pick a part of the song that is not expected, such as avoiding parts of major key changes, etc.). Ask the class why it was so hard to guess when it would happen. Then tell them you have some signs for them to listen for and you will play it again and see if they can get it. Give them clues as to what part of the song it will be (example: You will hear a guitar solo, you will hear cymbals three times, then there will be a key change, then a pause right after the key change, and it is the third word after that pause). Replay the song with the new signs to look for and see if they students can sit down on the exact right moment. Most if not all of them will.
Ask the class how this is comparable to the second coming. For example, we have been given many signs of the Second Coming to watch for by the Savior and his prophets. What are they? How do we know them? Why has he given them to us? For those who study their scriptures, follow the prophet, pay their tithing, and have the Holy Spirit as their guide the signs of the Second Coming will be apparent and they will be prepared and look forward to his coming.
***Is the Second Coming Tomorrow?***
President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876-1972) said, “I was asked, not long ago, if I could tell when the Lord would come. I answered, Yes; and I answer, Yes, now. I know when he will come. He will come tomorrow. We have his word for it. Let me read it: ‘For after today cometh the burning-this is speaking after the manner of the Lord-for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble’ (D&C 64:24; emphasis added). So the Lord is coming, I say, tomorrow. Then let us be prepared. . . .” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3 vols., edited by Bruce R. McConkie, 3:, p.1).
If the Lord is coming “tomorrow” we definitely need to prepare “today.”
Consider this quote from President Dallin H. Oaks: “What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear? If we would do those things then, why not now?” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Preparation for the Second Coming, Ensign, May 2004, p.7).
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I hope these resources are helpful to you in your learning and teaching this week!
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