About Scary Stuff
This lesson plan on the second coming of Christ will help youth understand that we don't need to be scared of the time when Christ comes in glory at the end of time. But we do need to be prepared.
Opening Game for Lesson Plan on the Second Coming
Start by playing Silly Sentence Game. In this game each person adds a word to a sentence. For complete details, see Silly Sentence Game.
Follow up with a couple of questions:
- Did the sentences make sense or were they confusing?
- Did you have any idea how the sentence was going to end?
Like the sentences in that game, we don't know how or when our world is going to end. But we do know it will end eventually and we should be prepared. Jesus tells us that.
Scripture Reading for Scary Stuff
Read the Gospel:
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 (The End of Time) - the Gospel Reading for the 1st Sunday in Advent - Year C
Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.
“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36
Discussion for the Second Coming
Jesus starts out with some pretty alarming information about the end of time. The sea will be out of control. Something will be going on with the sun and the moon and the stars. The order of things will be upset. And people will "die of fright in anticipation".
But there is good news for those of us who are believers. Jesus tells us that these things mean our final redemption is coming. Our bodies will be resurrected. Christ will come in glory and usher in an eternal kingdom where all of his people live in unity with God and with each other.
At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness. After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign for ever with Christ, glorified in body and soul. the universe itself will be renewed.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1042
There won't be any more suffering or evil. That sounds pretty great!
But we have to be ready. We don't know when the end is coming. When the Final Judgement happens, we will stand before our Lord and everything we have done, good or bad, will be known to all.
In the presence of Christ, who is Truth itself, the truth of each man's relationship with God will be laid bare. The Last Judgment will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life:
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1039
At that time the righteous and the unrighteous will be separated like sheep and goats. Those who have chosen to serve God and give themselves to Him will go to live with Him. Those who have not will know the pain of eternal separation from Him.
If we wait until that end time comes to really give our hearts to Jesus, then it will be too late. Now is the time to get ready. Jesus is with us now through the Church and the sacraments. He has given us these gifts to grow closer to Him.
... the Son did not come to judge, but to save and to give the life he has in himself. By rejecting grace in this life, one already judges oneself, receives according to one's works, and can even condemn oneself for all eternity by rejecting the Spirit of love.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 679
So it is up to us to accept or reject the grace our Lord offers us. We must choose if we want to live the way Jesus has shown us or not. By choosing the path of discipleship and really committing our lives to our Lord, we are preparing for his second coming.
Reflection Questions on Scary Stuff
- Does the thought of the second coming of Jesus scare you or excite you? Why?
- Do you think the things you do every day make a difference in how you will experience the end of time?
- What are some ways we can prepare to be ready for the final judgement?
- If you knew that the end was coming next week, what would you do differently?
Challenge for this Lesson Plan on the Second Coming
This week, think about one thing you can change or do better to prepare for the return of Jesus in glory. Spend a few minutes praying every day for the grace to improve that aspect of your faith life. Then follow through with some concrete actions if possible.
Prayer
Conclude by praying this passage from Isaiah 41:10:
Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Give the youth time to add their own prayer intentions. Then conclude with an Our Father.
Related Resources
Printable Copy of Scary Stuff – A Lesson Plan on the Second Coming
Judgement of the Nations – Discussion and Reflection Questions
This is another lesson plan which is related to the final judgement.
The Lesser Known Last Judgement
What is the difference between the judgement at death and the Final Judgement?
Leave a Reply