Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope



Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope

Week 13: We Have Hope Because Jesus Is Coming Back

This includes:

Leader Preparation

Lesson Guide

LEADER PREPARATION

BIBLE BASIS

In Revelation 21 John describes his vision of heaven including the stones making up the foundation, the angels who guard the entrance, and the height and width of the walls. Kids tend to be literal thinkers, so the thought of heaven may seem too abstract for them to really grasp. That’s why this lesson’s focus is so wonderful—it explains heaven in literal terms that kids can picture. Use this lesson to encourage kids that Jesus is coming back and that heaven will be a wonderful place to live with him!

DISCOVERY POINT

We have hope because Jesus is coming back.

BIBLE FOCUS

Revelation 21:10-21

KEY VERSE

“He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

TEACHING PREP

The short overview below is designed to help you prepare for your lesson.

Supplies You’ll Need: Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, CD player, TV/DVD player, “Time to Celebrate” handout, crepe paper, balloons, curling ribbon, scissors, tape, plastic tablecloths (or newsprint), newsprint, graham crackers, colored frosting, small candies, apple juice, cups, markers, paper plates, napkins, plastic knives, paper and pens

Before This Lesson

• Print the “Time to Celebrate!” handout. You’ll need one copy per crew of four kids.

• Hang two long sheets of newsprint horizontally on a wall at kids’ eye level.

• Assemble Bible Exploration Kits (one per four kids): “Time to Celebrate!” handout, folded sheets of paper (one per child), colored markers, pens, plastic knives, small paper plates, napkins, Bibles.

• Review Revelation 21:10-21.

• Cue "Into the Bible" (Track 1) on the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD or (Quarter 7/Track 1) on the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD.

• Huddle briefly with your volunteers beforehand. Answer any questions they have. Encourage them and pray.

PARENT EMAIL

We’ve provided you with a “Family Devotion” handout to send the Bible learning and faith discovery home. When kids and parents have faith discussions regularly, kids’ faith multiplies.

So we’ve given you two options:

• Print the “Family Devotion” handout and make enough copies for each child to take one home.

• Email the “Family Devotion” to families before or after the actual lesson.

Or why not do both? That way you’ll double the opportunities for parents to actually get the handout.

Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope

Week 13: We Have Hope Because Jesus Is Coming Back

LESSON GUIDE

WELCOME!

Supplies: Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, CD player, TV/DVD player, balloons, crepe paper, tape, plastic tablecloths (or newsprint), curling ribbon, scissors

1. Play “Into the Bible” (Track 1) from the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD or (Quarter 7/Track 1) from the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD as kids arrive.

• “Into the Bible”

Makes me wanna jump!

Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!

Makes me wanna sing! Hallelujah!

It’s the greatest book.

Come and take a look.

Makes me wanna shout!

Shout! Shout! Shout! Shout!

So that everyone will see

I’m getting into the Bible

And the Bible...is getting into me!

We’re discovering a brand-new world

As we dig a little deeper (deeper),

Finding out about who God is.

Open it up and see it (see it)!

There’s nothin’ like

God’s Word, and I get

So excited.

It makes me wanna,

Makes me,

Makes me wanna jump!

Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!

Makes me wanna sing! Hallelujah!

It’s the greatest book.

Come and take a look.

Makes me wanna shout!

Shout! Shout! Shout! Shout!

So that everyone will see

I’m getting into the Bible

And the Bible...is getting into me!

“Into the Bible” by Jay Stocker. © 2006 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

2. Direct kids to your decorating supplies. Eagerly invite them to help decorate for a party, but don’t explain what you’ll be celebrating.

3. Make sure everyone has a decorating job. Some kids can inflate and tie off balloons, others can add curling ribbons to the balloons, others can hang crepe paper streamers, and others can cover tables with tablecloths or newsprint.

4. When the room is decorated, gather everyone together. SAY: This room looks great! Thanks for your help! We’re going to have a good time celebrating today.

ASK:

• What’s it like to prepare for a party even though you don’t know what it’s for?

• Jesus is coming back, but we don’t know when. What do you think about when you hear that?

• How easy or difficult is it to hope and plan for Jesus’ return when we don’t know when it’ll happen?

SAY: Parties are so much fun—you usually have good food, and sometimes you even get presents. But to me, it’s the reason behind the party that’s the best part, whether it’s a birthday, graduation, or some other special event. People like to celebrate when something good happens. Today we’re going to learn that we can celebrate every day, because something good—no, something great—is going to happen. Jesus is coming back! Let’s find out more!

5. Start the “Digital Countdown” (Quarter 7/Countdown Track 2) on the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, turn up the volume, and lead kids in counting along.

LET’S EXPLORE!

Supplies: assembled Bible Exploration Kits, newsprint, tape, graham crackers, colored frosting, small candies, apple juice, cups

1. Have kids form Bible Crews of four. Then have kids call out a couple of places they would like to visit. Have each crew pick one of those places, and encourage kids to answer the following questions in their crews. After each question, ask kids to share their answers with the rest of the group.

ASK:

• Why would someone want to go to the place you talked about?

• How do you think that place compares with heaven?

• What do you think heaven will be like?

Point to one of the sheets of newsprint on the wall. SAY: Take the colored markers out of your Bible Exploration Kit, and come up and help draw a mural of what your crew thinks heaven will be like.

2. After a few minutes, have kids stop drawing. Let each crew explain its section of the mural. SAY: This is an interesting idea of what heaven will be like. But I wonder how close it is to reality. You might think we can’t know anything about heaven until we get there, but the Bible actually gives a really cool description of heaven.

Have kids open their Bibles. Assign each crew a section of Revelation 21:10-21 to read. Then direct kids to the second sheet of newsprint on the wall. Have kids draw another mural depicting heaven, this time based on the Scripture they just read.

It’s OK if more than one crew has the same Scripture passage. They can work together to draw a picture of their passage.

When kids finish drawing, applaud everyone’s efforts. Let a volunteer from each crew read its Scripture aloud and explain what they drew. Then let kids compare the two murals.

ASK:

• What differences do you see between the two murals?

• What surprised you most about the Bible’s description of heaven?

• What would a travel agent from the Bible tell someone about how to get to heaven?

3. SAY: The Bible’s clear about how to get to heaven. It’s not about how good you are, or how much stuff you have, or how popular you are. The only way to get to heaven is by believing in Jesus. That’s it. It’s actually pretty simple. You can’t earn your way there. Jesus already paid for your ticket, so to speak, when he died on the cross for you. All you have to do is accept the ticket and believe in him.

ASK:

• Why do you think Jesus was willing to die for you?

• How can knowing that Jesus wants you to live with him in heaven change your life?

• What one word would you use to describe what the Bible says heaven will be like?

SAY: Jesus died on the cross for us because he loves us. Then he rose again to defeat death and sin. And we have hope because Jesus is coming back one day. And when he does, everyone who believes in him will live with him forever in heaven. That’s reason to celebrate if I ever heard one! So let’s party!

4. Have kids take the “Time to Celebrate!” handout from their Bible Exploration Kits. Have crews remove the small paper plates, napkins, and plastic knives from their Bible Exploration Kits and gather around tables. Set out the rest of the snack supplies. Let each person build a Jerusalem wall, following the directions in the activity. Serve apple juice to represent the streets of gold.

As kids enjoy their treats, let them read the last section of the activity.

ASK:

• Why is it so important to believe in Jesus?

• Who can you tell about Jesus this week?

SAY: We have hope because Jesus is coming back one day. And because of Jesus, we know we can live in heaven with him some day.

LET’S PRAISE!

Supplies: Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD, LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD, CD player, TV/DVD player

1. SAY: We have hope because Jesus is coming back one day. Let’s celebrate by thanking God for sending his Son, Jesus, to earth.

2. Set up the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD or the LIVE Children’s Curriculum (Year 2) DVD. PLAY:

• “I Will Never Fail You” (Hebrews 13:5) (CD Track 2) (DVD Quarter 7/Track 2)

God has given you everything

You will need,

And you don’t have to worry.

Be satisfied.

Don’t even try to get more,

For God has said,

I will never fail you

Or abandon you.

I will never fail you

Or abandon you.

(Repeat.)

I will never fail you

Or abandon you.

I will never fail you

Or abandon you.

“I Will Never Fail You” (Hebrews 13:5b) by Wallace and Rachel Fa’agutu and Jay Stocker. © 2006 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

• “Use Your Whole Body” (Romans 6:13) (CD Track 3) (DVD Quarter 7/Track 3)

So use your whole body as an instrument

To do what is right for the glory of God.

Everybody’s got one, now whatcha gonna do with it?

Are you gonna use it for good, for the glory of God?

Come on, everybody, let’s do this right;

Clap your hands, and keep it tight.

Come on, everybody, let’s move your feet;

Stomp ‘em real hard, stomp ‘em right on beat.

Come on, everybody, let’s do both things;

Do it for the glory of our great King.

So use your whole body as an instrument;

To do what is right for the glory of God.

Everybody’s got one, now whatcha gonna do with it?

Are you gonna use it for good, for the glory of God?

O-o-oh, o-o-o-o-oh (echo)

O-o-oh, o-o-o-o-oh (echo)

Yea-h-h-h-h (echo)

Ah, ah, ah, ai-oh (echo)

Come on, everybody, let’s do this right;

Clap your hands, and keep it tight.

Come on, everybody, let’s move your feet;

Stomp ‘em real hard, stomp ‘em right on beat.

Come on, everybody, let’s do both things;

Do it for the glory of our great King.

So use your whole body as an instrument

To do what is right for the glory of God.

Everybody’s got one, now whatcha gonna do with it?

Are you gonna use it for good, for the glory of God?

Are you gonna use it for good, for the glory of God?

“Use Your Whole Body” (Romans 6:13) by Jay Stocker. © 2011 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

• “We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) (CD Track 6) (DVD Quarter 7/Track 6)

If there’s one thing we can count on,

It’s that God will never let us down, and

We can trust everything he does.

He keeps his promises.

We know because

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him. Yeah!

If there’s one thing we can count on,

It’s that God will never let us down, and

We can trust everything he does.

He keeps his promises.

We know because

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him .

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

Yeah, the Word of the Lord holds true.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

We can trust him.

“We Can Trust Him” (Psalm 33:4) by Jay Stocker. © 2007, 2009 Group Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Permission to use lyrics granted for local church use only. No unauthorized duplication permitted.

LET’S PRAY!

Supplies: assembled Bible Exploration Kits

1. SAY: It’s going to be a great day when Jesus comes back! The Bible says in Revelation 22:20, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” Let’s each welcome Jesus back in our own way.

Have each Bible Crew sit in a circle on the floor. Let kids each take a pen and a folded sheet of paper from the Bible Exploration Kit and design a simple invitation for Jesus to come back. Explain that kids will have a few minutes to design their invitations. Then they’ll pass them around the circle, and each person can add a note and sign every invitation.

2. When everyone has finished writing, lead kids in a prayer thanking God for sending Jesus, and thanking Jesus for coming back one day. Encourage kids to take their signed invitations home with them as reminders that we have hope because Jesus is coming back.

HIGH FIVES

Supplies: none

Explain that sometimes when we welcome someone back from somewhere, we give the person a big pat on the back. Have kids give welcome-back pats and high fives, saying “Jesus is coming back!” to three people as they leave.

FOR-EXTRA-TIME ACTIVITIES

Yellow Ribbons

Supplies: long lengths of yellow ribbon, black markers

Explain that sometimes when people are waiting for a loved one to come home, they wrap a yellow ribbon around a tree outside their house. Because we’re waiting for Jesus to come back, have kids help you wrap the yellow ribbon around trees, pillars, or bushes on your church property. Let them write “Jesus is coming back!” on the ribbon, too.

To-Do Lists

Supplies: paper, pencils

Explain that in preparation for celebrations, people often make lists of things they need to do to prepare for the party. Let kids make to-do lists to prepare for Jesus coming back. They might list tasks such as “learn all I can about Jesus,” “tell others about him,” and “remember to celebrate every day because Jesus is coming back.”

Hiding It in Your Heart

Supplies: small sheets of poster board, colored markers

Have kids read Revelation 22:20. Then let them design advertising posters to announce that Jesus is coming back. Kids can hang the posters in their rooms at home as reminders of the hope we have in Jesus.

Create a Bible Dictionary

Supplies: paper, markers, dictionary, CD player, Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD

Ask kids to create one or more pages, each with a new word, for a Bible dictionary. Have kids suggest words from today’s lesson—jasper and the Lamb are two suggestions. Have them write each word on a sheet of paper in fun letters, add a definition, list Scripture references, and make illustrations. Play “The Books of the Bible Song” (Track 8), from the Sticking With God: Knowing His Hope (Year 2/Quarter 7) CD while kids work. Add each page to a three-ring binder, and watch the dictionary grow!

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download