Be Prepared for Christ's Coming

Children's Sermon: Be Prepared for Christ's Coming (Matthew 24:36-44)

Who can tell me what this picture represents? (Hold up the Girl Scout emblem.) That's right! It’s the Girl Scout emblem. Do we have any Girl Scouts here today? Can anyone tell me the Girl Scout motto? You are right again. The Girl Scout motto is, "Be Prepared." 

Can anyone tell me what this picture represents? (Hold up the Boy Scout emblem.) You boys and girls are really sharp! It’s the Boy Scout emblem. Now, who can tell me what the Boy Scout motto is? You are right. The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared."

The Girl Scout and Boy Scout mottos mean that a good scout must always "Be prepared." That is also the subject for our Bible lesson today.

Today is a very special day. Today is the first Sunday of Advent and we have started the countdown to Christmas. There are many things that people do to get ready for Christmas, aren't there? Let's see, what are some of the things that we do to prepare for Christmas? 

We have to put up our Christmas tree, lights, and decorations. We have to get our Christmas cards addressed and mailed. We have a lot of shopping to do to buy gifts for our family and friends. There is a lot of cooking that must be done -- Christmas cookies and candy and, of course, we must buy all the food for Christmas dinner. Can you think of any things I have forgotten? (Allow kids to answer.)

While we’re getting ready for Christmas, there’s something else that we must be prepared for as well. Jesus promised that he would come again and the Bible tells us that we must be watching and be prepared for his return. We all know when Christmas is coming, but when will Jesus come again? The Bible says no one knows the hour of his return. Not even the angels who announced his birth know when he will come again. (Matthew 24:36-44)

If we don't know when he is coming, how can we be prepared? If we want to be prepared for Jesus' coming, we must always be busy doing the things that he told us to do. We must be loving God and loving one another. What are some things we can do? (Allow kids to answer.)

It is fun and exciting to prepare for Christmas, and we must also be prepared for the day when Jesus comes again.

Dear Father, we love this season of the year. We love the preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us also remember that he is coming again and that you have told us to be prepared. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Girl Scout Logo

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