UNIT 5#2 THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH K/1 ST GRADE READY, SET, GO

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1 UNIT 5#2 THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH K/1 ST GRADE MAIN POINT GOAL Jesus will come back to rule on earth; be ready! READY, SET, GO Christian students will learn that because they have a personal relationship with God, they can eagerly look forward to His Second Coming. Non-Christians students will learn that they need to accept Jesus offer of salvation to be ready for His Second Coming. PASSAGE: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; John 3:16; Matthew 24:42 Key verse: "So always be ready at all times. You don't know the day your Lord will come." Matthew 24:42 PLANNING AHEAD Lesson Supplies Introduction: 2 glove puppets Lesson: Dry-erase marker Learning Activity #1: 2 old hats 2 old adult shoes 2 old gloves or mittens Velcro strips Optional Activity: Blindfolds, 4/room Craft Supplies Activity Station: READY, SET, GO printed on cardstock, 1/child Scissors Glue Sticks Markers/Crayons Teachers please note: For clarity, the shaded areas in the Planning Ahead section indicate supplies that are in and should be returned to your classroom SHARED SUPPLY bag. Items followed by an asterisk* are to be supplied by the teaching team. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, , K/1 st Unit 5#2 Page 1

2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION/TEACHER HELPS November 4, 2018 "Ever since the sin of Adam and Eve this world has been a DARK PLACE (2 Pet 1:19), a moral 'Night' (John 1:5). By faith the believer looks forward, through prophecy, to the DAY (2 Pet 1:19), the glorious Day, which is coming, when salvation, which is now by faith and hope (Rom 8:24), shall be revealed (1 Pet 1:5), in all its grandeur and glory (1 Cor. 2:9). For this Day the hearts of God's people yearn with earnest desire." 1 "A dear brother writes us as follows: 'I find so many who are willing to receive the truth of the Second Coming, but it is generally those who are passing through affliction, or those living very near the Lord. Those who are enjoying the well watered plains of this world, seem to care very little about seeing the Owner of the Estate. But He will come. Hallelujah! He will come. Yes! He is coming. The bride who knows the Bridegroom, and is true, says, He is coming. 'Come Lord Jesus,' Come! Come!! Come!!! Come!!!! A poor cursed earth (Rom. 8:19-22) groans out Come! Thank heaven, He speaks: SURELY I COME QUICKLY.' Rev. 22:20. "Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching:... Lu.12:37." 2 Acts 1:11 tells us that, just as the disciples saw Christ leave this earth, we will see Him return. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Paul encourages his audience to remain alert and sober (5:6) because just as they know and have been taught (5:1,4) Christ will return unexpectedly (5:1-3). Matthew 24 and Luke 21 cite many signs of Christ's Second Coming. But what effect should these signs of Christ's return have on our lives today? The children in your class may very well live until the end times. It is through the Spirit's conviction in your teaching that they may realize that in a moment of time the opportunity to accept Christ may be gone for their friends, relatives, and other loved ones. Every day is possibly their final day on earth. So let's take the challenge to make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel. This lesson teaches about the Second Coming of Christ. See the chart 3 below for the distinctions between the Rapture and the Second Coming: RAPTURE SECOND COMING Believers meet Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4:17) Believers meet Christ on the ground. (Zech. 14:4,5) Believers involved become immortal (1 Cor. 15:51-53) Believers involved remain mortal (Is. 65:20; Rev. 19:18) Believers involved go immediately to heaven (1 Thess. 4:17) Believers involved stay on earth to populate the Millennial Kingdom (Mt. 25:31-34; Zech. 14:9ff) The "day of the Lord: is for Israel and unbelievers The "day of Christ" is for the church and is and is feared as a time of God's judgment (Is. looked forward to (1 Cor. 1:8; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 13:6,9; Is. 34:8; Ezek. 30:3; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:7-1:14; Phil. 1:6). 13; 1 Thess. 5:2; I Thess. 3:2; 2 Thess. 2:2) Major concern of 1 Thessalonians Major concern of 2 Thessalonians "Two things are of vital importance, in order to have the right understanding of this subject, and these are: First, The distinction between the Rapture and the Revelation [Second Coming]. Rapture means to be caught up, or away. Revelation apokalupsis) means Appearing or shining forth or manifestation (Rom. 8:19). The Rapture occurs when the Church is caught up to meet Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4:14, 17), before the tribulation; and 1 Blackstone, William B., Jesus is Coming, 1908, Fleming H. Revell Co., pp. 213, Blackstone, William B., Jesus is Coming, 1908, Fleming H. Revell Co., p XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, , K/1 st Unit 5#2 Page 2

3 The Revelation occurs when Christ comes, with His saints, to end the Tribulation, by the execution of righteous judgment upon the earth (2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 14, 15). At the Rapture, Christ comes into the air for His saints (John 14:3). At the Revelation, He comes to the earth with them (1 Thess. 3:13; Zech. 14:5). He certainly must come for them before He can come with them. The assurance that God will bring them (Greek lead them forth) with Jesus (1 Thess. 4:14) is evidence that He will first come for them, they being caught up to meet him in the air (verse 17). The Greek word here rendered 'to meet' signifies a going forth, in order to return with. Again, at the Rapture Christ comes as the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:10) to take unto Himself His bride, the Church (Eph. 5:25-32). At the Revelation, He comes, with His bride, to rule the nations (Rev. 2:26, 27; 5:10; 19:15). At the Rapture He comes only to meet the saints in the air, 1 Thess. 4:17. At the Revelation, He comes to the earth (Acts 1:11), and His feet stand upon the same Mount Olivet from which He ascended (Zech. 14:4, 5). At the Rapture the Church, like Enoch, is taken out of the world (Acts 15:13-17). At the Revelation, the Millennial Kingdom is begun (Rom. 8:23). In Luke 21:28, the Rapture is referred to at the beginning of the Tribulation. 'When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.' (Redemption here meaning the first resurrection, same as in Rom. 8:23)." 4 This is the view that is taught at Xenos with the disclaimer that no one can be dogmatic because it's not absolutely clear. Different commentators use the same verses to declare their different points of view. The main point is that Jesus is coming back and we want to be certain that as many people as possible are ready for His return. 4 Blackstone, William B., Jesus is Coming, 1908, Fleming H. Revell Co., pp XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, , K/1 st Unit 5#2 Page 3

4 LESSON PLAN SET UP INCORPORATION MIN INSTRUCTIONS/ INTRODUCTION November 4, 2018 Note: There are instructions in italics throughout the lesson to include the cut-out visuals and drawing on the white board. Activity Station: Craft Ready, Set, Go Instructions: Give each child the printed cardstock, "ready, set, go." color the symbols in the lower box as desired. Around the outside border cut out the lower box. Cut the bottom strip of the page. Cut it in 2 pieces. Glue the pieces on the back of either side of the box to use as pull strips. Cut the vertical slits in the box with the key verse by folding the paper so that the ends of each line touch each other. Cut along the lines and unfold the paper. From the back, slide the box with the pull strips through the first vertical slit, across the top and back out through the 2 nd vertical slit. Slide from left to right for the progression of the gospel. Discuss: as children work on their craft, discuss the key verse and each of the verses that go with the symbols. Talk about the importance of telling people about Jesus. Missions Prayer Instructions: Talk about and pray for Oasis Giving campaign and adopted missionary child. Drama Puppet skit presented by a teacher Instructions: Use the 2 glove puppets to present the skit. One hand will be Polly and her friends. The other hand will be Molly and her friends. Hold your hands behind your back until you introduce the puppets. Introduction: What if when your mom went away she said you were to have your toys picked up by the time she got home? Would you be ready when she got home? Where would the toys be if you were ready? I have two friends who would like to tell you what happened to them. Polly: Polly: Polly: Hi, my name is Polly (wiggle "Polly" finger) and these guys are all my good friends (wiggle "friends"). I want to tell you about a time my mom and I planned a big night out together. We decided we'd go see my favorite movie, "(insert popular movie here)" Well, she had to do some shopping. Before she left she said, "Polly, it is your job to get the toys picked up before I get back. I'll be back at 2:00 and I want everything picked up and put away. If everything is not put away you won't be ready so we won't be able to go to the movie." BOY, what a big job! I had played with my Legos and they were all over the place. Plus, my little brother got out one of my puzzles and I had to pick up all those pieces too. Well, don't you know that right after my mother left, my friends from the neighborhood came over. (wiggle "friends" and change voice as if friends are talking) Hey, Polly, come out and play tag with us! We want you to be "It." Boy, did I want to go out to play with them. It was such a great day. The sun was shining and it was the perfect temperature to play outside. I said to my friends, "I really want to play but my mom said I have to get these toys picked up by the time she gets home. If I'm not ready when she gets home I won't be allowed to go the movie with her tonight." Then my friends said, It's too nice to be inside. Anyway, she just left. You have lots of time. We can even help you after we finish playing the game. Well, I thought about it and decided they were right. After all the sun doesn't shine XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, , K/1 st Unit 5#2 Page 4

5 every day and it wouldn't hurt for me to pick up the toys a little later. It was a long time until 2:00. "Sure," I told them, "I'll be out as soon as I get my shoes on." Well, we were having a great time. I love to be "It" and they let me be "It" for three turns. I was having so much fun I even forgot that my mom told me to pick up my toys. So, when she pulled in the driveway I couldn't believe that it was already 2:00 and I was not ready! As you can imagine, it was not a pretty sight. I begged and begged her to let me go to the movie. But she said, "No, Polly, I told you to be ready when I came home and you weren't. I'm really sorry, but you can't go." I have to take off now. The Legos and puzzle pieces have been put away, but I spent all morning making a road with my blocks and they have to be put away before my mom gets home from the grocery store. I want to be ready this time! We're going to the library to see the puppet show, "Jack and the Beanstalk." See you later. Exit Polly & "friends" Enter Molly & "friends." Molly: Hey, y'all! I'm Molly and these are my great friends, Winkin, Blinkin, Nod and Silly Goose. Do you think those are funny names? I laughed the first time I met them. They didn't understand why I thought their names were so funny, but you do, don't you? Anyway enough of that. I'm here to tell you about a time when my dad took off to play a game of golf. Before he left he said, "Molly, I want you to get all your sand toys out of the sandbox, washed off and put away before I get home. If you are ready when I get home, we'll go get ice cream." "Oh, boy!" I said. I love to get ice cream with my dad. He lets me get one of those great big waffle cones with the chocolate around the top AND chocolate sprinkles. I headed out the back door toward the sandbox thinking about the great ice cream cone I was going to have, when Winkin, Blinkin, Nod and Silly Goose came running over into my yard. Molly: Hey, Molly, whatcha doin'? Come on over to the park with us. Look at this really cool kite we have to fly. Man, did I want to go with them. I love to fly kites and I haven't had a kite for a long time. But I told them that my dad told me I had to get the sand toys washed and put away before he got home so we could go get ice cream. Well, they had a really good idea. Come with us now, we won't be gone that long. You have plenty of time to fly the kite and clean the sand toys. Molly: Boy was I tempted. Golf takes so long and it always seems like forever when I wait for my dad to get home from a golf game. But then I thought about dad's words to me. "Molly, I want you to get all your sand toys out of the sandbox, washed off and put away before I get home. If you are ready when I get home, we'll go get ice cream." I really wanted to be ready when my dad got home so I decided I better take care of the sand toys first and then go with my friends when I was done. That's what I did. When dad got home the toys were all clean and put away. He ran in the house, scooped me up, threw me in the air and said, "I am so glad you are ready. Let's go get that ice cream." We had a blast together. I'm glad I was ready when my XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, , K/1 st Unit 5#2 Page 5

6 dad came home. Well, I'm going to help my friends fly that kite now. See you again sometime. Bye! Debrief Polly believed that her mom would be back. But what happened to her? She decided she had plenty of time and went out to play. So she wasn't ready when her mom got home. Because she wasn't ready she had to stay home instead of going to the movie with her mom. But Molly decided she wouldn't let anything get in her way of being ready when her dad got home. She was ready so she got to go with her dad to get ice cream. TRANSITION 2 MIN LEARNING ACTIVITY #1 LG GROUP TRANSITION 2 MIN LESSON LG GROUP This week we are going to talk about a very special event for which every one of us can be ready. This special event is when Jesus will come back to earth to be the King of all the earth (show crown cut-out). The Bible tells us that Jesus will come back, but only God knows what day that will be (draw timeline on white board). Just as Polly wasn't ready for her mom to come back but Molly was ready for her dad, some people won't be ready for Jesus to come back and some will. Now we're going to play the game Ready, Set, Go. Game Ready, Set, Go Instructions: Divide the class into 2 teams. Divide each team into 2 equal parts. Line the teams up across the room from each other. (See diagram below.) Mark a starting line in front of each team as shown. Place a hat, a glove and a shoe on the floor in front of each team. At the signal, player #1 will get ready put on a hat, a shoe and a glove; get set place hands on the floor in a sprinter s position ; and go run to player #2 and take off the hat, the shoe and the glove. Player #1 must then sit down at the back of the line. Player #2 will then put on the hat, glove and shoe and repeat the process. Continue until all players have participated. The first team done is the winner. TEAM #1 ½ of Team #1 Players ½ of Team #1 Players TEAM #2 ½ of Team #2 Players ½ of Team #2 Players Let's all sit down and talk about how to be ready for Jesus to come back. Instructions: In order to connect the lesson with the craft and make the points more visual, follow the instructions in the boxes as you move through the lesson. The Bible tells us that we should be ready at all times for Jesus to come back. Our key verse is, "So always be ready at all times. You don't know the day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42). Jesus will come back to earth again someday and He wants us to be ready. We made a craft that says "Ready, Set, Go." GOOD NEWS Instructions: Draw a cross like the one on the craft on the white board. On the cross it says John 3:16. John 3:16 says, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life." Jesus loves everyone and wants everyone to be in His family. But because we sin, we can't be in His family. Who can tell me what sin is? Sin is our bad thoughts, attitudes and the bad choices we make. Do you know why Jesus came to earth the first time? Jesus came so He could die on the cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. How do you know that Jesus punishment counts for your sin? That s right, we have to admit that we sin, thank Him for paying for our sin and ask Him to forgive us. When we do that we become God s child. God's children are the people who admit they think and do wrong things and ask Jesus to pay for their sins. When Jesus comes back to earth again it will be a very exciting time for all of His children. Listen while I read what the Bible says. (Read 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7, 10.) What does this tell us about XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, , K/1 st Unit 5#2 Page 6

7 what happened to the Christians in Thessalonica? What does persecute / persecution mean? Ever since Jesus came to earth, there have been people who believe they are good enough to go to heaven. They either don t understand or are too proud to admit they sin. They don t want anything to do with God or His children. But when Jesus comes back it will be the end of time for all people to make the decision to become His child. When He comes back to earth to rule as King only those who are ready will be with Him. Everyone who has heard about Jesus and asked Him to forgive their sins is ready. Everyone who has heard about Jesus but has not asked Him to forgive their sins is not ready. Listen while I read what the Bible says. (Read 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9) Wow, that sounds pretty awful, doesn t it? It is very sad to think that some people will choose to be apart from God forever. But everyone can decide to be ready. Everyone can ask Jesus to forgive them. Everyone who asks is forgiven. Instructions: Draw a stick figure on white board with a question mark. Now that we know what will happen when Jesus comes back what must we do to be set? We get set by asking God to show us who we can tell and how we can tell them about Jesus so they have the opportunity to be ready. The Bible says, " before people can trust in the Lord for help, they must believe in him. And before they can believe in the Lord, they must hear about him. And for them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them" (Romans 10:14). Can you think of any friends or people in your family who need to know Jesus? Instructions: Draw stick figure "going," similar to the one on the craft. You get set when you pray that God will help you tell others about Jesus. Then you go and tell the people who are ready to hear about Jesus so they can be ready when Jesus comes back. TRANSITION 2 MIN LEARNING ACTIVITY #2 SM GROUPS OPTIONAL ACTIVITY Remember our key verse is, "So always be ready at all times. You don't know the day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42). Because we don't know what day Jesus is coming we need to be ready always. We are ready when we ask Jesus to forgive our sins. We are set when we ask God to help us think of friends and family who need to know Jesus. Then we can go tell them about Jesus. Let's get into small groups. SMALL GROUP What is the key verse? What does it mean? What do you think about Jesus promise to come back? Why do you think it's important for everyone to know Jesus? Are all of you ready? Do you know someone who needs to know Jesus? Let's pray and ask God to help us tell someone who needs to know about Jesus. Let's also pray now that God will give them hearts to want to know Him. If you are someone who doesn t know Jesus yet, you can ask Him to forgive you as we pray. Then you ll be forgiven and part of God s family and ready when Jesus comes back. Game Go, Find & Tell Object: Find the friends to tell about Jesus. Instructions: Sit on the floor in a large circle. Choose two volunteers to "go, find and tell" and two volunteers to be found. Blindfold the students who are to "go, find and tell." When they are blindfolded, the two others will go to an area in the circle and quietly say, "I need to know Jesus" until the blindfolded students find them. Tell the rest of the class that it will be important for them to be quiet so the blindfolded student can find the friend. Continue to play until all students have had a chance to be a participant. XENOS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, , K/1 st Unit 5#2 Page 7