While We Wait - a Study of 1 & 2 ThessaloniansSample
![While We Wait - a Study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F43018%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Grief is hard. There’s no way around it. Losing someone you love is as painful as it gets. But there's also no way to avoid it. We will all experience loss at some point in our lives.
The Thessalonians weren't exactly sure about what happens to believers who die before Jesus returns—while we wait. And Paul delivers good news: We can grieve with the hope of being reunited with those we love!
So...when is Jesus returning?
As much as every generation of scholars and prophets tries to predict, here's the real answer: We don't know exactly when.
So, the next time someone tells you they know, they don't.
But here's what we do know:
- While we don't know when it will happen, it also won't catch believers by surprise. That does require some action from us though: Paul encourages us to be on our guard by keeping connected to God and other believers. (1 Thessalonians 5:4)
- We don't need to be scared—it's an exciting thing!
- For those who have faith in Christ, the return of Jesus will be better than any earthly day we could ever imagine.
And so, we continue on while we wait. Paul encourages us to "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Take a minute to reflect on those areas of your life—how are you doing, and how can you get better at sharing your joy, prayers, and thankfulness with others in order to demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus?
About this Plan
![While We Wait - a Study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F43018%2F1280x720.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Waiting is hard for everyone. In 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses a community restless for Jesus' return. But he doesn't tell the church when Jesus will be back. Instead, he offers guidance on how to make the most of our time on earth while waiting for his return.
More
Related plans
![Watching for God in the Psalms](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55495%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Watching for God in the Psalms
![Week 1: Being Human in the Age of AI](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55492%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Week 1: Being Human in the Age of AI
![Week 2: Knowing Truth in the Age of AI](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55494%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Week 2: Knowing Truth in the Age of AI
![The Leadership Style of Jesus](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55509%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
The Leadership Style of Jesus
![Romans: God's Power to Save | Video Devotional](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55484%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Romans: God's Power to Save | Video Devotional
![How to Deal With Complicated People](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55528%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
How to Deal With Complicated People
![God in the Midst of Depression](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55477%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
God in the Midst of Depression
![Learning to De-Escalate](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55534%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Learning to De-Escalate
![Messy House, Clean Heart: A 5(ish)-Day Reading Plan From Dana K. White](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55505%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)
Messy House, Clean Heart: A 5(ish)-Day Reading Plan From Dana K. White
![Spiritually Gifted | Men's Devotional](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapistaging.com%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Fyvplans-staging%2F55480%2F320x180.jpg&w=640&q=75)