Curriculum
Jesus Is Coming Again
Memory Verse:
“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Mary and Joseph lost sight of Jesus when He stayed back in Jerusalem to talk with the religious leaders.
Scripture Summary
The Jews celebrated annual festivals, such as Passover. Back when God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, God had sent plagues to the Egyptians. The last plague was to kill each firstborn son. In order to save the Israelites from this plague, they were to sacrifice a lamb and spread the blood over the doorpost where they were staying. Then, the angel of death would “pass over” the home.
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus traveled in a large group to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. They did this each and every year. After the festival, the group returned home. As was the custom, the women and children traveled together in the front of the group, while the men stayed at the back of the group. At age 12, Jesus could very well have traveled in either group, and Mary and Joseph assumed he was in the other group.
Jesus stayed in Jerusalem to listen to the religious leaders. He even engaged in discussion as they tackled deep, theological, and thought-provoking topics. Jesus shocked the other leaders at the depth of His knowledge and engagement.
Joseph and Mary’s group had been traveling for a full day when they realized Jesus was not with them, and they panicked as they searched for Him. And for three days, Mary and Joseph searched. They finally found Him back at the temple.
As Jesus’ mother, Mary had to let go and embrace the transition Jesus was making from boy to man. While Jesus acknowledged His real Father, God, He continued to embrace Mary and Joseph as His earthly parents and returned home with them.
Why Is This Important
Just like Mary and Joseph, we can get wrapped up in daily life or make assumptions that cause us to lose sight of what’s important—Jesus.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
We recently hosted Christmas and invited the out-of-town family to stay with us. I joked that we at least had a plan for everyone to have a place to sleep…indoors. With every room filled to the brim with people, I knew there were countless details to cover for meals, interactions, special requests, navigating relationships...oh, and the spirit of Christmas.
I can often get so task-oriented that the joy of being together is affected. My goal leading up to this visit was to be present, focus on Christmas, love well, and let the other stuff go. Not easy for me to do.
So I started by communicating with family that this Christmas would be low-key. I purchased extra paper plates, so we’d spend more time interacting and not in the kitchen. I planned simpler meals. After everyone had arrived, I saw a curtain rod propped up in the corner of the dining room—still in its box; one of my many tasks that was left undone. Before I whisked the rod away to stuff in a closet, I realized that it wasn’t in the way. I intentionally left it there in the corner as a reminder for me to be present and to let other stuff go.
We all had a delightful Christmas. And no one mentioned the curtain rod in the corner.
I often sigh when someone mentions the story of Mary and Martha. (I know…I shouldn’t.) As a fellow “Martha,” I feel a sense of guilt each time I’m told that “Mary has chosen what is better.”
A pastor once shared that Martha gets a bad rap in this story. (And I loved that he shared this!) While Mary and Martha both had things to do—and God does call us to do good works—Mary started by receiving from Jesus, while Martha jumped into her to-do list.
What do you need to receive from Jesus today? Consider taking some much-needed time to sit at His feet—and receive.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being a generous God. I know that You want to give me good things and what I need for today. Please help me slow down and receive from You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Bibles, “Cloud Verse” handouts, Pencils
“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)
Lead kids in these steps to learn today’s Bible memory verse:
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Luke 21:27.
- Ask for several volunteers to read the verse aloud.
- Give each child a “Cloud Verse” handout and a pencil.
- Instruct kids to connect the clouds in the order of the Bible verse.
- Once kids have finished, read the verse aloud again as a class.
SAY: Great job putting today’s Bible verse in order. How exciting that Jesus is coming back in a cloud of glory! Until then, we’re looking forward to His return.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles, Slips of paper, Pen
Get Ready: Write one of the following Bible verse references on each of the slips of paper (only the references are needed, not the words to the verse): Luke 12:40; Luke 21:27; Matthew 24:30-31; Matthew 24:44; Matthew 25:13; Matthew 16:27; John 14:1-3; Mark 8:38; 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Roll up the slips of paper individually, and hide them around the room.
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Luke 21:25-28.
- Read the passage aloud.
- Invite children to search for the Bible verses hidden around the room.
- Ask each child who found a paper slip to look up the verse in his or her Bible and read it aloud.
ASK:
- What did you learn from these verses about Jesus coming back?
- What feelings do you have as you hear about Jesus returning?
- What is one thing you can do to prepare for Jesus’ return?
Snack
Popcorn Cloud Snacks
You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Popped popcorn, Marshmallow creme, Spoons, Wet wipes
Get Ready: Have kids clean their hands.
Follow these steps for the “Popcorn Cloud Snacks”:
- Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, some popcorn, and two spoon- fuls of marshmallow creme.
- Instruct kids to use the marshmallow creme to mold the popcorn into a traditional cloud shape.
- Invite children to be creative by using their remaining popcorn and marshmallow creme to make a cloud in another shape they might see in the sky, like a star, a heart, or a dinosaur, for example.
- Enjoy.
ASK:
- Have you ever enjoyed watching the clouds? What was special about it?
- We know Jesus is coming back in a cloud of glory. What ways might you watch for Jesus’ return?
Game
Coming Back
You’ll Need: Building blocks
To play the “Coming Back” game, have kids follow these steps:
- Ask for a child volunteer to play the part of Jesus.
- That child will pick something he or she wants the other kids to make out of the building blocks. After the child tells the others to begin, he or she will leave the room.
- Kids will work in teams to quickly build what “Jesus” requested. Their goal is to complete it before Jesus comes back. They don’t know when that will be, so they must work quickly.
- The child representing Jesus will stay out in the hallway for almost enough time for the others to complete the project and then enter the room and proclaim “I’m back.” He or she will then pick the block creation that is the best.
- Repeat as time allows, with different children playing “Jesus.”
SAY: Just like in this game, Jesus has given His followers a job to do until He returns. We are to share the gospel with those who need to know Jesus. We do not know when He will return, but we want to be found faithful servants when He does.
ASK:
- What are you most excited about when Jesus returns?
- How can you share the gospel with a friend who doesn’t know Jesus?
Craft
Fingerprint Fig Tree
You’ll Need: Bibles, White construction paper, Brown markers, Green ink pads, Markers, Wet wipes
Have kids follow these steps to make the “Fingerprint Fig Tree” craft:
- Give each child a piece of white construction paper and a brown marker.
- Instruct kids to draw the trunk and limbs of a tree.
- Next, guide kids to stamp their fingers in the green ink and use their fingerprints to make tree leaves.
- Give kids each a wet wipe to clean their fingers.
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Luke 21:29-33.
- Read the passage aloud.
- Give kids markers to write the following along the bottom of their paintings: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
SAY: What beautiful trees you all created. New leaves on trees show us that a new season is coming. Jesus used the parable of the fig tree to remind us that He is coming again.
Prayer
Cloud Prayers
You’ll Need: Paper, Markers
- Give each child a piece of paper and a marker.
- Ask kids to tear a cloud shape out of the paper.
- Have kids each write a prayer on their cloud thanking God for something.
- Invite kids to pray that prayer silently.
- Close in group prayer.
PRAY: Dear God, thank You for the promise that Jesus is coming again soon. Help us to be found faithful when He returns. In Jesus’ name, amen.
