Teaching young children about the second coming of Jesus Christ might feel like a daunting task, but fear not; there are wonderful ways to dive into this topic with small children!
Just like how kids eagerly anticipate the changing seasons of the year, Christ's return is a remarkable, joyous event to look forward to. We can prepare for the upcoming "season" of Christ's return with hope and readiness.
Yes, the second Coming of Jesus Christ will be a fearful and mournful time for the wicked, but Jesus’ return to the earth will be a wonderful time for the righteous! He will return in glory and He will claim the earth as His kingdom! He will be “in our midst” and “His glory shall be upon us.” Jesus will usher in a season of peace!
LESSON BUNDLE DOWNLOADS:
➤ P R E P A R A T I O N
Find a leaf from a nearby tree for each child. You can use a fake leaf if no real leaves are available.
➤ L E S S O N
Open the lesson with a song and a prayer.
🎶 O P E N I N G S O N G : "When He Comes Again"
➤ I N T R O D U C T I O N
Pass out a leaf to each child. Discuss the following questions:
Do you know what the four seasons are? (Winter, spring, summer, fall.)
How can you tell when it is winter? What are the “clues” that you can see? (Discuss the signs such as cold weather, no leaves on the trees, snow, shorter days, etc.)
How can you tell when it is Spring? What are the “clues” that you can see? (Flowers and grass grow, leaves grow on trees, birds singing, etc.)
How can you tell when it is Summer? What are the “clues” that you can see? (Hot weather, very dry, long days, etc.)
How can you tell when it is Fall? What are the “clues” that you can see? (Windy, leaves change color and fall off, birds fly south, etc.)
Explain: Jesus Christ will come to live on the earth again. This is called the “Second Coming.” We don’t know the day when he will come (only Heavenly Father knows), but he has told us about some “clues” that we can look for so that we know if He is coming soon or not.
🎥 V I D E O : "The Second Coming"
Say: “We are going to watch a video about the Second Coming. While you watch the video, see if you can remember the clues that we are supposed to look for. There are 6 clues in the video.”
Discuss the following questions after watching the video:
Can you remember any of the clues? What were they? (The gospel of Jesus Christ will be restored to the earth, the priesthood will be restored, the Book of Mormon will come forth, the Gospel will be preached throughout the world, signs in heaven and on the Earth, the world will be filled with wars, wickedness, and confusion.)
Who knows the day that Jesus Christ will come again? (Only Heavenly Father knows.)
Will the Second Coming be a good day? Or will it be a bad day? (It will be a great day for those who are watching and are prepared. It will be a terrible day for those who are not prepared.)
How can we prepare? (We can learn about the clues and watch for them, and we can learn about Jesus Christ and try to follow Him.)
➤ S C R I P T U R E
Read the verses below and discuss the questions that follow.
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
Why is the Second Coming like a thief in the night?” (Because it will be a surprise to many.)
Why is the Second Coming like the seasons? (Because we can find clues that the seasons are changing, and we can also find clues that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is near.)
“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”
How does light help us? (We need light to be able to see!)
Who can give us spiritual light so that we can see clearly? (Jesus Christ!)
The scripture says we need to be watching instead of sleeping. What do you think that means? (We can learn about the clues and look for them, and we can prepare ourselves to meet the Lord by keeping the commandments and trying to be like Him.)
“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
When will Jesus Christ come again? (In a time that we “think not.” It will be a surprise!)
What is this scripture telling us to do? (To be ready!)
➤ C O L O R I N G A N D A C T I V I T Y P A G E
Invite children to color the magnifying glass and the six “clues.” Cut out the clues and choose a volunteer to hide them around the room. Cut out the magnifying glass and invite the children to use the magnifying glass to search for the “clues” that are hidden around the room.
➤ T E S T I M O N Y
Bear testimony of the truths found in the scriptures.
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