bible passage: revelation 19; 21—22 (return of christ) · 2012. 6. 6. · jesus is invincible...

© 2012 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

Jesus Is Invincible

ScheduleAnticipate

5–10 minutes

Celebrate & RespondLarge Group

35–55 minutes

Respond & BlessSmall Group

20–25 minutes

Bible Passage: Revelation 19; 21—22 (Return of Christ)

Environment: MODELINGBiblical content needs a practical living expression in order for it to be spiritually impacting. This environment serves as a hands-on example of what it means for children to put their faith into action. Modeling puts flesh on faith and reminds us that others are watching to see if we live what we believe.

REMEMBER VERSE“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

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© 2012 David C. Cook

Tori FunkhouserTruStory Team

InspireMy uncle noticed something was wrong. He went to many doctors, but it took more than a year before they discovered he had lymphoma. The cancer was aggressive, and doctors didn’t give him hope of living very long. But my uncle believed God could heal him. In fact, he believed so completely in God’s power to heal him that he only told immediate family about his illness because he didn’t want people filling his mind with doubt. So he lived his life as usual and continued to travel around the country for his work.

But, over time, the tumors grew and multiplied. One under his neck ballooned to seven inches, another formed near his liver, and many others mushroomed all over his body. Friends, family, and colleagues began to notice. When he told them about the cancer, many mentioned having known someone with the same disease. My uncle always asked, “Did he live?” They always said, “No.”

At the end of his chemotherapy, my uncle underwent some routine testing. When the results arrived, seven doctors stood in shock—because there were no signs of cancer. God had healed him. And for more than 10 years his lymphoma has been in remission. Every time he goes in for his PET scan, the doctors still can’t find a trace of the cancer. Amazing!

Stories like my uncle’s remind us that God is invincible, unable to be defeated or overcome. He is all-powerful and controls everything in the universe—including death. Stories like these remind us that Jesus, the invincible One, holds the power to restore us and give us a new life with Him for eternity.

N O T E S :

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EquipJesus is invincible! Some of the best images that describe His invincibility can be found in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. John wrote this book in the apocalyptic genre. The word “apocalypse” means “an unveiling,” and the book of Revelation truly unveils Jesus Christ in all His fullness.

As a genre, apocalyptic literature has distinguishing characteristics. The language of an apocalypse was symbolic—a “code” the contemporary readers would have understood. The inspiration for an apocalypse was usually the communication of a supernatural being to a human through a vision or a dream. And the purpose of an apocalypse was to help its readers understand that God is indeed in control of all history, and, because of this, they can have strength.

Inspiration for RevelationOn the island of Patmos, John was visited by an angel who instructed him to write down this revelation of Jesus Christ and send it to seven churches. The purpose was to give these Christians hope and strength in the midst of persecution. This revelation gave them a glimpse and reminder of what they were fighting for.

Language of RevelationApocalyptic literature consists of symbolic visions recorded exactly as they were seen by the author and explained through a divine interpreter. Typical of apocalyptic genre, John used symbolic language like a secret “code.” For instance, first-century Jews would decipher “lampstands” to mean “churches,” and “Babylon” usually referred to Rome. But those outside the church, such as Roman officials, would not know the meanings of these terms.

Many of the images and metaphors in this book may also seem foreign to modern-day readers. That’s because many of the images mirror Old Testament illustrations, and most of us today aren’t as familiar with the Old Testament as John’s readers would have been.

Symbolism in apocalyptic language can refer to current events as well as future events. For example, when talking about a certain image, Daniel (another book with apocalyptic language) may have had both Antiochus Epiphanes (a present-day ruler) and also the antichrist in mind.

Purpose for Us in Revelation Revelation was written to a contemporary audience for a contemporary purpose. But the message still speaks to us today, revealing Jesus’ true nature as astounding, terrifying, and beautiful. How incredible to know that one day our invincible Lord will vanquish evil. This gives us hope for the future and strength for today.

Interesting Aha!The book of Revelation was written for the contemporary church during John’s lifetime. It reflects the political-religious conflict with the Roman Empire and the persecution of the church in Asia Minor under Domitian—a ruler whose favorite title was Dominus et Deus Noster (our Lord and our God). Domitian was a totalitarian, evil dictator who demanded to be called “our Lord and our God.” As in one who opposes Christ or acts in his name, Domitian, to John, was a modern-day antichrist.

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SupportThe word “invincible” means incapable of being conquered, defeated, or subdued. Synonyms for invincible include impassable, impregnable, indomitable, insuperable, invulnerable, irresistible, insurmountable, powerful, strong, unassailable, unattackable, unbeatable, unconquerable, undefeatable, untouchable, and unyielding.

When you reflect on these words as they describe Jesus Christ, what images of Him come to mind? How do these images change what you think about your future, your plans—even your afternoon? Imagine your Savior, Jesus, as not only the suffering Servant, who modeled perfect love for us here on earth, but also the invincible Lord of the universe, who reveals the fullness of God!

Today spend some time worshipping our invincible God. For inspiration, watch the video “That’s My King” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE), which features a soul-stirring message from the late S. M. Lockridge. Allow God to fill you with the inspiration and strength that comes from knowing that one day He will destroy all evil and bring you to live with Him—the invincible One—in heaven forever.

TruStory Team

ADAM & EVE

SUSEJ

OUR FUTURE WITH JESUS

YOU & ME

TIM

ELIN

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ABRAHAM

MOSES

JOSHUA

SAMUELHANNAH

KING DAVID

ELIJAHKING AHAB

KING JOSIAH

JEREMIAH

SHADRACH/MESHACH/ABEDNEGO

DANIEL

ESTHER

NEHEMIAH

SIMEON/ANNAZECHARIAH

MARYZACCHAEUS

LYDIACORNELIUS

PHILIP

PAUL

AP

OS

TLES

400 Y

EA

RS

OF

WA

I TING

PETER

JAMESJOHN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

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Lesson Overview

N O T E S :

Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List under Resource Tab)

Anticipate//Small Group Check-In

5–10 min.

Encourages interaction among kids, leaders, and parents; engages the kids in curiosity and anticipation of the lesson; and creates an inviting atmosphere.

Superheroes• My Superhero sheet (see Resource Folder)• superhero images (see Resource Folder)• pens, colored papers, stapler, tape• tinfoil (lots of it!)• sheets, towels, cloth, old clothes, or other fabric

items• optional: hats, helmets, gloves, feathers, capes,

masks, belts, or any other items for the kids to use to make superhero costumes

• optional: computer

Celebrate//Large Group

20–35 min.

Establishes community and tells stories both personal and biblical in a fun and engaging way.

Traditions • mementos for your church Traditions (rocks,

marbles, gum balls, etc.) • Remember Verse cards, slide, and animation

(see Resource Folder)

Connect Question• Connect Question slide (see Resource Folder)

Connect Activity: Cotton Swabs and Straws Battle (for Smaller Groups)• cotton swabs• plastic drinking straws• small paper cups• masking tape• Connect Activity slide (see Resource Folder)

Connect Activity: Trash Battle (for Larger Groups)• newspaper• masking tape• Connect Activity slide (see Resource Folder)

The Big God Story • Bible • Timeline slide and animation

(see Resource Folder)• images: island of Patmos, snow, blazing fire,

double-edged sword, sun shining (see Resource Folder)

• sound effects: superhero music, rushing water, multitude of people, thunder (see Resource Folder)

• poster board, tape, marker• optional: superhero costume

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Lesson Overview

N O T E S :

Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare (Master Supply List under Resource Tab)

Respond//Large Group

15–20min.

Creates space for children to respond to the Holy Spirit in worship and community as a large group.

Water of Life• slide: Revelation 21:6 (see Resource Folder)• rocks• permanent markers• clear bucket• pitcher of water

Respond//Small Group

15–20min.

Discusses truth, reflects on the lesson, engages in relationships, and creates a project or a piece of art individually or together.

Reflect: Jesus Is Invincible• Bible• questions

Create: Decoding Secret Messages• Bibles• Secret Message sheets (see Resource Folder)• Secret Code sheet (see Resource Folder)• image: helicopter (see Resource Folder)• pens or pencils• optional: paper; Secret Message Backward and

Pigpen Cipher sheets (see Resource Folder)

Bless//Small Group

5 min. Sends the kids out with a sense of peace and blessing so they can be a blessing to their families and others.

• Bible (for the blessing)• HomeFront Weekly (1 per child; see Resource Folder)

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ANTICIPATE | CELEBRATE | RESPOND | BLESS

Anticipate// 5–10 min.

An energizing time for parents and kids to start engaging with the material that will be presented in the lesson.

It is intentionally designed to spark curiosity and cultivate a sense of awe and wonder about God.

Encourage parents to participate in this time with their kids.

Small Group Leaders

SMALL GROuPS E C T I O N

SuperheroesToday lead the kids through a special Anticipate in which they create their own superhero personas and costumes. Explain to them (if they don’t already know) what superheroes are, and help them be as creative as possible with the items you have available.

SUPPLIES• My Superhero sheet (see Resource Folder)• superhero images (see Resources Folder)• pens, colored papers, stapler, tape• tinfoil (lots of it!)• sheets, towels, cloth, old clothes, or other fabric items• optional: hats, helmets, gloves, feathers, capes, masks, belts, or any other items for the

kids to use to make superhero costumes• optional: computer

SET UP Print out the images of superheroes and the My Superhero sheet (1 per child). Set out the supplies for the kids to use.

ENGAGESuperheroes have special powers they use to help people and fight evil. Spiderman uses his strength and speed to stop bad guys, crawl up buildings, and swing from rooftop to rooftop on his spider silk. Superman uses his powers of flight and super strength to save people (and even the earth) from destruction. The Incredibles use their special powers to save people from evil villains who want to take over the world.

Each superhero has a unique name, set of super strengths, costumes, and tools. If you could be a superhero, what would you be like? What would your superhero name be? How would you dress? In the last book of the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we get to see a picture of Jesus in all of His glory and power! We get to see that Jesus is invincible! That means He’s so powerful that nothing can defeat Him. He has all of the power, glory, and strength in the universe, and He defeats evil. He is real—and incredibly more powerful than any imaginary superhero!

Show the kids the items they can use to make costumes and tools as they create their own superhero personas. Superheroes wear many interesting things: capes, hats with wings, crowns, gloves, masks, heavy belts, wrist protectors, helmets, scarves, and more. Some of them even have tails or ears because they’re animal superheroes. What does your superhero wear?

Partner Church Comments “We gave our kids 15 minutes to make superhero costumes from butcher paper, paper plates, string, felt-tip pens, and staplers. They had a blast making belts, masks, capes, etc., and then they talked about the superpowers they would have.” Voyagers Bible Church

“We cut plastic garbage bags in half and let the kids tape a letter [on each one] and decorate the back of it to make capes. We tied them loosely around their necks.” Wooddale Church

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N O T E S : Encourage the kids to look at the images of the superheroes to get ideas of what they want to create. Then set them loose with the supplies! Have the older kids use the superhero sheets to write down their superhero names and a few of their superhero powers. Have all of the kids wear their costumes to the large group storytelling time.

Optional: If you have a computer, let the kids go online to find pictures of their favorite superheroes. A good place to start would be www.marvel.com.

Programming NoteThe activity option in Anticipate is created to take place during your check-in time. Your time frame may range from five to ten minutes, depending on your church’s facility and service-time setup. You can choose the option above or add an idea of your own.

This section is also created to be flexible according to your facility. If it works best to direct kids and their parents to individual small-group rooms for this time, set up activities in each room. And if you check kids directly into your large group space, arrange your Anticipate activities accordingly.

http://www.marvel.com

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Celebrate//20–35 min. Host/Storyteller

LARGE GROuPS E C T I O N


Welcome and TraditionsAfter everyone is gathered as a large group, open with Traditions. During Traditions you’re helping the kids work toward a common goal and giving them mementos to celebrate things like memorizing the Remember Verse, inviting a friend, or bringing their Bibles.

Mementos can be anything, such as rocks, marbles, gum balls, or connecting blocks. Use a clear plastic or glass container to fill so the kids can watch their progress. Or have them contribute to the building of a structure with connecting blocks. If you have multiple services, use separate containers or building stations for each one. Once the kids have been awarded their mementos, direct them to put the mementos into the container or to add them to the building effort. When the common-goal tradition is complete, have a celebration!

If there is time, take it a step further and choose one or two child volunteers each week to give praise reports, share testimonies, or tell about funny and intriguing events. Sing familiar worship songs with corresponding motions. Encourage kids to think of their own motions to personalize the songs for your church community.

ConnectConnect is a time to laugh, play, and enjoy each other’s company. Engaging questions, energizing games, and creative activities encourage the community to get to know each other. Encourage your kids to participate in the following activities and connect with someone they might not know yet. (See the Connect Question slide and Connect Activity slides in the Resource Folder.)

QuestionWho is your favorite superhero? Why?

Kids get to be a part of the faith community of God’s family.

They participate in traditions and share them with newcomers, connect through fun and interaction, and experience The Big God Story through storytelling.

REMEMBER VERSEThis is a good time to introduce kids to the Remember Verse. As they arrive, open a Bible and read it together if time allows. Remember Verse cards, slide, and animations can be found in the Resource Folder.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

BirthdaysA Group Tradition

Every week, invite the children with upcoming or recent birthdays up for a group-singing of a birthday song and a blessing from the leader. Encourage the children to sing with their whole hearts and really celebrate the child with the birthday. Make this a tradition the kids will look forward to, one that makes them feel loved by their faith community.

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Activity: Cotton Swabs and Straws Battle (for Smaller Groups)

SUPPLIES• cotton swabs• plastic drinking straws• small paper cups• masking tape• Connect Activity slide (see Resource Folder)

SET UPTape two lines (a few feet apart) down the center of the room. Put two chairs in the middle of the two lines. Ask for a volunteer to be the scorekeeper. Then divide the rest of the kids into two teams, and ask a volunteer from each team to sit in a chair with a cup on his head. For the rest of the team members, give each child a straw and some cotton swabs.

ENGAGE Line up each team (behind a masking-tape line) in front of the opposing team’s volunteer (with the cup on his head), and have them try to knock the cup off with the cotton swabs by blowing the swabs through a straw. The team that knocks the cup off the opposing team member’s head the most times wins the battle.

Activity: Trash Battle (for Larger Groups)

SUPPLIES• newspaper• masking tape• Connect Activity slide (see Resource Folder)

SET UPTape a line down the middle of the room and divide the kids into two teams.

ENGAGE At “Go,” have the kids crumple the newspaper into balls and toss the balls at the other team (like a snowball fight). Play until all of the newspaper has been used up. The team with the least amount of trash on its side of the line wins!

Prayer of ReleaseAt the end of Connect, pray a Prayer of Release. This is a time for kids and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. If you would like, encourage kids to hold their hands out in front of them in a spirit of releasing their worries and distractions in order to better receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them. Encourage kids to quiet their voices and take a seat. Then ask them to pray with you.

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N O T E S : The Big God StoryStoryteller

During The Big God Story, the kids will learn about how Jesus revealed He would return. Though this part of The Big God Story can be delivered verbatim, read it before the lesson, so you can personally interact with the material. Share stories from your life, and speak with your own style by varying your intonation and gestures.

Jesus Is InvincibleSUPPLIES• Bible • Timeline slide and animation (see Resource Folder)• images: island of Patmos, snow, blazing fire, double-edged sword, sun shining

(see Resource Folder)• sound effects: superhero music, rushing water, multitude of people, thunder

(see Resource Folder) • poster board, tape, marker• optional: superhero costume

SET UPTape the poster board to a wall and set the marker nearby. Cue the music, images, and sound effects. Optional: Come dressed in a superhero costume.

(Play superhero music.) Wow! You guys all look so cool! (Go around the room and ask:) What type of superhero are you? (Then ask:) What is your favorite thing about superheroes? (Share your favorite thing about superheroes.)

TipBefore sharing Jesus’ return, point out that what they are about to hear is true and is recorded in the Bible. Open your Bible to the passage and leave it open and visible throughout The Big God Story. Establish a consistent place to keep this Bible every week.

Invite kids to open their Bibles and follow along in Revelation 19:1—21:4 as you storytell. Encourage adult volunteers to keep an eye out for kids who need help finding the Scripture passage, and allow enough time for each child to locate the passage. You may even want to project the reference on a screen or write it in large print on a poster or whiteboard.

Visual AidsYou will find JPEGs of various visual aids in the Resource Folder for every lesson of TruStory. Though we often refer to projector screens, do not feel limited by this. Please use these files in whichever format works best for your church, whether you use computer media, an overhead projector, or poster board.

Resource Tip A Storytelling Video is available for this lesson. Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users may access this resource on the My Lessons page > Extras > Storytelling Videos.

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N O T E S : Superheroes are pretty cool! They have amazing powers. They can fly, see through walls, burn things with their eyes, shoot webs from their wrists, climb up sky scrapers, and more! Why do they do that? (Encourage kids to answer.) That’s right! They save people! What other words describe superheroes? (Write kids’ answers on the poster board.) These are all great answers. One word that I would use to describe the best kind of superhero is “invincible.” Does anyone know what the word “invincible” means? (Encourage kids to answer.) If someone is “invincible,” it means no one can defeat him because he’s so powerful.

While superheroes are really cool, most of them can be defeated somehow. For instance, Superman can be killed by kryptonite; Iron Man can’t fight against the bad guys without the battery that powers his heart; and what would Batman do without his utility belt? But unlike these pretend superheroes, Jesus is actually real, and He’s the only One who’s really invincible.

Throughout The Big God Story we’ve heard a lot about Jesus. We heard how He is the Redeemer God promised to send. He’s the One who made a way for God’s people to be in perfect relationship with Him. We heard how He was born in a manger, in a small town called Bethlehem. We heard how during His lifetime He served others, healed them, and spoke to them about God. We heard how He died, rose again, and went up into the sky. We also heard about how He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort and teach us. Throughout The Big God Story, Jesus modeled for us how to love God and others. And someday Jesus will return in all of His glory—as the invincible One.

What do you think it will be like when Jesus returns? What do you think Jesus will look like? What do you think heaven will be like when we get there? (Encourage kids to answer.) You know what’s really cool? In the Bible we can read about all of these things in a letter called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

For the past few weeks you’ve been hearing about many letters that Paul and James sent out to the first churches to encourage them and strengthen them in their faith. Well, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” was also a letter written to the early churches—but a very different kind of letter. It was a letter describing a vision that an angel gave to a man named John.

(Show image of the island of Patmos.) Because the Roman authorities didn’t like John spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, they sent him away to an island called Patmos. There an angel met with him and told him many amazing things. So the first thing John did was write a letter describing what the angel told him and what Jesus looked like! Basically, John described the coolest hero ever!

The Big God Story

Partner Church Comments “During the small group Respond time, when we were doing the questions, one of the girls mentioned how the images of snow, fire, sword, and sun helped her get an image of Jesus coming as described in the Revelation verses.” The Gathering

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N O T E S :

[Jesus was] “dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were … as white as snow (show image of snow), and his eyes were like blazing fire (show image of blazing fire). His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters (play rushing water sound effect). In His right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword (show image of a double-edged sword). His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance (show image of sun shining)” (Revelation 1:13–16).

Wow! What an amazing picture of Jesus in all His glory! John was so overwhelmed by this vision of Jesus that he fell on his face and worshipped Him. (Optional: Fall on your knees for a moment.) Then John wrote many, many more chapters describing the battles between good and evil that will eventually take place—and how Jesus will win because He is invincible! (Optional: Pretend to sword fight some imaginary armies.) John described how, in the end, “A great multitude (play multitude of people sound effect), … like the roar of rushing waters (play rushing waters sound effect) and like loud peals of thunder (play thunder sound effect) [will shout] … ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns’” (Revelation 19:6). This will be an amazing moment. And the Bible says everyone will see it! It will be so cool when this happens!

This is all pretty great … but there’s more. John again described Jesus as He will appear in all His invincible glory at the end of the battle. (Open your Bible and read Revelation 19:11–16.) How many of you remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? In this letter Jesus is riding on a white horse of victory. How many of you remember Jesus dressed as a man, washing His disciples’ feet? Now He’s the invincible One wearing the glory of God and followed by the armies of heaven. How many of you remember Jesus wearing a crown of thorns? Now lots of crowns sit on His head, because He’s “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (v. 16). Wow! Jesus isn’t just the model of perfect love and the greatest hero who ever lived; He’s the King of Kings, modeling God’s perfect love for us and showing us all of God’s glory.

That’s amazing—but there’s more! We who believe in Him will get to live with Him, our invincible King, in heaven forever! “God Himself will be with [His people] and be their God … [and God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3–4).

The Bible says, “the old order of things has passed away.” What do you think that means? (Encourage kids to answer.) Right! After all this time, God will do what He said He would do in the beginning of The Big God Story: He will create a new heaven and a new earth! He will heal the world and have a perfect relationship with all who believe! In the end, God will beat all evil, destroy death, and make everything new. And we will see Him face to face.

The Big God Story

Partner Church Comments “I had six of our kids as readers reading the Bible references as they came within the story.” The Gathering

“I have been really praying hard about what would engage the boys in our group, and this lesson was it!” Mountainbrook Community Church

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N O T E S : I don’t know about you, but I think that sounds really amazing! I want to be saved by an invincible King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I want to see Jesus return! I want Him to come back fully revealed as the glory of God, showing us once and for all what love and truth really look like! I want Him to return—for all people to see!

Jesus is returning to earth. He is invincible. He can’t be defeated. What do we do when we have this kind of amazing hope in an invincible God? What do we do when our Savior has promised to return to us? We shout, “Hallelujah! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Play one of the sound effects, such as the multitude of people or sound of thunder, and have the kids stand and shout “Hallelujah! Come, Lord Jesus!” as a group.)

The Big God Story

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This is a time for kids to worship through silence, prayer, singing, giving, sharing, thanksgiving, and many other ways.

Make plans for your worship time but prepare yourself and your team to hold them loosely if the Holy Spirit leads the group in a different direction.

Respond// 15–20 min. Host/Worship Leader

LARGE GROuPS E C T I O N

Water of LifeSUPPLIES• slide: Revelation 21:6 (see Resource Folder)• rocks• permanent markers• clear bucket• pitcher of water

SET UPSet the rocks, markers, and pitcher of water near the bucket. Cue the verse slide.

ENGAGEThroughout The Big God Story we’ve seen Jesus as a man, a servant, a healer, a teacher, a friend, and a son—a model of perfect love. He’s also the One who beat death. Now, in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we get a picture of Jesus revealing the fullness of God. One day we will see Him in all His glory, as the King of Kings—the ultimate, invincible Ruler over all!

(Read and show verse slide of Revelation 21:6.) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” When we’re thirsty, we want a drink of water. We need it. And just like we can’t live without water, we can’t live our best life without Jesus. Our souls will always be tired, worn out, and thirsty until we come to Him.

Give the kids a few minutes to meet with Jesus, the One who offers to quench their thirsty souls. Encourage them to ask God to fill them with the living water of His Spirit. Have them imagine Jesus as the invincible God and think for a moment about what that means in their lives. Ask: How does it fill up your soul to know that Jesus, the invincible God, loves you and wants to be in relationship with you?

Afterward, encourage each child to take a rock and write her name (or initials for younger kids) on it as a declaration that she wants the “water of life” Jesus offers. Then have her place her rock into the bucket. Once all of the kids have placed their rocks in the bucket, point out the pitcher of water, and explain that it symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Then pour the water over the rocks.

Together, with your kids, praise Jesus, the King of Kings who gives life-giving water for our souls.

N O T E S :

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Reflect: Jesus Is InvincibleWhen the angel spoke to John on Patmos, he showed John what heaven would look like and told him that even though things can be hard, God has a plan, and He’ll do what He’s promised! The angel even told John what Jesus will look like when He returns as the Lord of Lords. He’ll be the conquering King, the invincible Warrior who’s too powerful to be defeated or overcome—Jesus in all His glory! (Leaders: Encourage the kids to open their Bibles and read the suggested passages.)

Questions for Younger Kids• Why was John on the island of Patmos? (Revelation 1:9)• To whom did John write his letter? (Revelation 1:4)• How will Jesus look when He returns to earth? (Revelation 1:13–16)• What does the word “invincible” mean? How is Jesus invincible?• How do we know Jesus will come back? (Revelation 22:20) • What will happen when Jesus returns? (Revelation 1:7)

Questions for Older Kids• Why was John on the island of Patmos? (Revelation 1:9)• To whom did John write his letter? (Revelation 1:4)• Why did these churches need his letter? • How will Jesus look when He returns compared to how He looked during His

first time on earth? (Isaiah 53:2–4; Revelation 1:13–16)• What does the word “invincible” mean? How is Jesus invincible?• What will happen at the end of time? (Revelation 1:7)• How do we know Jesus will come back? (Revelation 22:20)

Create: Decoding Secret Messages SUPPLIES• Bibles• Secret Message sheets (see Resource Folder)• Secret Code sheet (see Resource Folder)• image: helicopter (see Resource Folder)• pens or pencils• optional: paper; Secret Message Backward and Pigpen Cipher sheets (see Resource Folder)

SET UPPrint one Secret Message sheet and one Secret Code sheet for each child. Set out the pens or pencils. Cue the image. Optional: Print copies of the Pigpen Cipher and Secret Message Backward sheets.


A time to engage in relationship, reflect on the lesson with spiritual conversation, and/or create a meaningful project or piece of art.

Respond// 15–20 min. Small Group Leaders


N O T E S :

Small Group Questions TwistSuPPLIES • scissors• small bag or box

Cut the questions into strips and put them into a small bag or box.

For fun, pass the bag around the room and have kids take turns pulling out a question and answering it.

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N O T E S : ENGAGEJohn, the writer of the book of Revelation, lived in a time when the government didn’t want anyone talking about any kings or rulers other than their Caesar. So John wrote his letter in a secret code that only the churches would understand. When John wrote about “lampstands,” he meant “churches.” When he wrote about “stars,” the churches knew he meant “angels,” and when John mentioned “Babylon,” the churches knew he probably meant “Rome.” Pretty cool, huh?

Also, the angel described some pretty amazing things to John! It must have been difficult for him to put those things into words, so he used word pictures to explain what he meant. I mean, if you lived a thousand years ago and you had to describe a helicopter (show image of helicopter), how would you describe it? It would be pretty hard, right? (Optional: Ask a child to try to describe a helicopter without using modern words such as “metal” or “propellers.”) In this activity we’re going to work with some symbols of our own as we try to decode some messages from the Bible!

Hand a Secret Message sheet and Secret Code sheet to each child. Tell the kids to use the code key to decode the message under the image. Each message comes from the book of Revelation in the Bible. (For younger kids, hand out the Secret Message Backward sheet with the message already decoded. Encourage them to “encode” the message by writing it backward [see Option 2 below].)

If you have more time, let the kids create their own secret messages! Encourage them to write messages describing our invincible Jesus or what they think heaven will be like. For examples of both of these, have them read Revelation 19:11–16, 20–21. Suggest your kids devise their secret messages using one of the following methods, or let them create their own codes!

Option 1: Secret CodeLet the kids use the code key you just gave them to write their own secret messages to their friends or family members.

Option 2: Backwards CodeHave kids create secret messages by writing the words in the message backward—or even putting the words in each sentence in reverse order!

Option 3: Pigpen CipherPass out the Pigpen Cipher sheets to your kids, and let them create secret messages using this ancient code, which substitutes symbols for letters.

Resource Tip “Finish the Sentence” activities are available for this lesson. Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users may access this resource on the My Lessons page > Extras > Small Group Enhancements.

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Bless// 5 min. Small Group Leaders


As kids are blessed, tell them they have the opportunity to also be a blessing to others. Encourage them to freely share with others the joy and love they have received from God.

Encourage the kids to hold their hands in front of them, palms up. This posture is meant to symbolize a willingness of heart to respond to God’s Holy Spirit and receive what God has for them. Invite them to remain in this posture as you bless them. Encourage parents to come early in order to read the blessing over their child.

Open a Bible and read Revelation 21:5–7 (NLT): “I am making everything new! … I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”

May you know the truth that Jesus is coming again, and He will have victory over sin and death. May you be filled with His strength through the Holy Spirit, knowing that one day you, because you believe in God, will be with Him forever.

A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement or guidance.

A blessing can be offered in order to ask God’s Spirit to overflow from the child’s life to bless others or prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, or wisdom.

HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week’s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God’s Word together before children arrive at church.

HomeFront Monthly: Every four weeks we highlight one of the 10 environments. For each new environment, parents should receive HomeFront Monthly. This resource gives families ideas for how to create fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives!

Leader TipEvery lesson ends with a blessing. This is a time for parents and leaders to speak truth over children’s lives. The idea of the blessing is to transition the child from being blessed to being a blessing.

The blessing can be done in many ways, but the more intentional you are about it, the more powerful it will be. Depending on whether parents are able to join in at this time, you may want them to put their hands on their child’s head or kneel and look him in the eye as they bless him. Leaders, be sure to model how you envision the blessing working in your church so your volunteers and parents become comfortable with it.

bible passage: revelation 19; 21—22 (return of christ) · 2012. 6. 6. · jesus is invincible...

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