Jesus Is Coming Again
Group Activities

Sermon Title: "Jesus Is Coming Again"

Scripture Reading: Luke 21:25-36

SIGNS THAT CHRISTMAS IS COMING:

Play or sing a couple of Christmas songs; have a newspaper available for students to find "signs" of Christmas and read out loud; let the children hang some Christmas decorations around the room.

SEEKING SIGNS FOR HIS RETURN:

"HIDE" some Bible verses written on slips of paper around the room. Let the children "SEEK" for these Bible verses that tell us that Jesus is coming again. (Examples: Luke 12:40; Luke 21:27; Matt. 24:30-31; Matt. 24:44; Matt. 25:13; Matt. 16:27; John 14:1-3; Mark 8:38;I Thess. 4:16.) Discuss that Jesus himself told us that he would return again and let the children read the Bible verse written on their slip.

A STOCKING FOR JESUS:

Provide each child with an inexpensive Christmas stocking. Provide a marker for the children to write JESUS at the top of the stocking. The children will take the stockings home and hang them with the rest of the family stockings. During the Advent season, whenever the child does a good deed, it will be written down on a slip of paper and put in the Jesus Stocking. On Christmas day, before the stocking is emptied, the child will remove the slips of paper and read them aloud. Remind the children that Jesus said, "In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

A CHAIR FOR A SPECIAL GUEST:

At the beginning of the class period, the teacher will place an empty chair at the front of the class room and explain that the chair is for a special guest that will visit the class. The chair will remain throughout the class and at the end of the class period, the teacher will explain to the children that the empty seat was for Jesus, who is ALWAYS with us.

THE CHRISTMAS STAR:

Provide each child with a large star cut out from a sheet of yellow construction paper. The children will write, "JESUS IS COMING AGAIN." The stars can be decorated with glitter. Discuss that just as the Magi were watching for the star that would lead them to Jesus, we should also be watching for his return.

WAITING FOR HIS RETURN:

On slips of paper write things that we can do while we are waiting for Christ's return. (Here are some examples: pray. read the Bible, worship, tell others about Jesus, help your neighbor, feed the poor, give clothing for the needy, visit the sick, visit the elderly.) Be sure to have enough slips for each child who will be in your group. Put the slips and let each child draw one. After all children have a slip, let them read the activity written on it. Discuss the activities and let the children suggest others.

ROLE PLAY

(for older children): The teacher, or one of the class members will run in the room and shout that JESUS IS COMING! JESUS IS COMING! Class discussion - "When Jesus comes, will we be READY for his coming and be happy and excited, or will we be NOT READY and afraid or sad?

CHRISTMAS STAR COOKIES:

For a snack, bake some star-shaped cookies and decorate them with red and green icing. The star reminds us that we should watch for Christ's return just as the Magi watched the stars to lead them to the place of his birth.

Song: "Come Thou Long-expected Jesus"

Words and Music PDF

Accompaniment MP3

Song: "Jesus Is Coming Again"

Words and Music PDF

Accompaniment MP3