Signs of the Times

Lesson: Jesus is Coming Again Soon


1. Lesson (based on Luke 17:20-37; 21:5-37)

• Introduction: 
• Show some pictures of common road signs and get children to guess what each one means.

• These signs show us what to expect when we are driving on the road. They serve as warnings and reminders of what lies ahead so that we can be aware and prepared.

• Before He died, Jesus also spoke about signs — these signs tell us that after He goes back to be with the Father, He is coming again. 
• He told a Parable of the Trees (Luke 21:29-31) — During the winter time, the trees all drop their leaves. But when you see new leaves begin to grow, then you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these signs, you know that Jesus is coming back again soon.

The Widow's Gift

Lesson: Jesus gave us His all

1. Story

• Talk about Jesus and the Widow’s offering, based on Luke 21:1-4 (you can choose to act it out)
• Jesus sees the heart
• Jesus saw the gifts people were bringing into the temple. Some brought in huge bags. But others, like this woman, only had two small copper coins.
• Even though the value of the money was insignificant, but that was all the widow had, and she gave it.
• To Jesus, that two small coins given from the heart was worth more than the huge amounts put in by the rich people.
• So whatever gift you want to give to God, give it cheerfully, from the heart — even though the amount may be small.

Jesus vs the Pharisees & Sadducees

Lesson: Jesus our Wisdom

1. Story:

• Tell the account of Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees and Sadducees based on Luke 20:20-39
• Last week, we talked about the Parable of the Tenants — how the religious leaders tried to challenge Jesus’ authority but failed.
• So they tried to trap Jesus by sending spies to ask him trick questions. They hoped to get Jesus to say something wrong, so that they could get him arrested.

Parable of the Tenants

Lesson: Jesus is the chief cornerstone

1. Story:

• Tell the Parable of the Tenants based on Luke 20:1-19 and Mark 12:1-12.
  
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• The chief priests and teachers of the law didn’t like Jesus. Jesus was always talking about the Good News that God had for his people. They did not want other people hearing about God from Him. They did not believe that Jesus was God’s Son.

Know our Covenant Benefits — David & Goliath

1. Story:

• Tell the story of David & Goliath based on 1 Sam 19.

• God deals with His people through covenants
• Covenant = promises between 2 parties to become 1 (e.g. a marriage) — “you = me”; whoever touches you, touches me; till death do us part.
•  The Israelites were part of the covenant God made with Abraham. They were circumcised — a mark of the covenant. They belonged to God. But sometimes they forgot that.

Jesus clears the temple

Lesson: Jesus is the Ultimate Sacrifice and the New Temple

1. Lesson:

• Tell the account of Jesus at the Temple based on John2:13-22 and Mark 11:17
• After Jesus went into Jerusalem on the donkey, one of the first things He did was to go to the temple.
• The temple was where the Jews would go to offer their sacrifices to God in worship and for their sins.
• But when Jesus was at the temple, what did He see? He saw people selling cattle, sheep and doves and exchanging money. Someone who wanted to offer sacrifice at the temple would have to change their money into special “temple currency” before they could buy the animals for sacrifice.

Jesus Enters Jerusalem

Lesson: Jesus is our King of Salvation and Righteousness

1. Story:

• Tell the story of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry based on Luke 19:28-40 and Mark 11.

2. Lesson:

• Jesus had been preparing his disciples for His death. He knew that after He got to Jerusalem, He would be arrested and crucified.
• Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was a time of celebration because it was part of God’s plan of salvation, and righetousness.