What does this story teach me about God or the gospel? What does this story teach me about myself? Are there any commands in this story to obey? How are they for God s glory and my good? Are there any promises in this story to remember? How do they help me trust and love God? How does this story help me to live on mission better? John s Vision of Jesus Revelation 1:9-20 FOLD MAIN POINT: JESUS APPEARED TO JOHN IN A VISION TO TELL ABOUT THE END OF TIME. The apostle John faced suffering and persecution for telling people about Jesus. The Roman emperor punished John by sending him to an island called Patmos. While John was on the island, he had a vision. John heard a loud voice like a trumpet. The voice said, Write on a scroll what you see. Then send the message to the seven churches. John turned around to see whose voice he heard. He saw seven gold lampstands, and he saw Jesus. Jesus was wearing a long robe with a gold sash wrapped around His chest. When John saw Jesus, he fell at Jesus feet. Jesus put His hand on John and commanded him, Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look I am alive forever and ever. Jesus told John to write about everything he had seen. Christ Connection: Jesus showed Himself to John and explained that He is the First and the Last, the Living One. While Jesus was on earth, He defeated sin and death by dying on the cross and coming back to life. Now Jesus is lifted up in glory and honor forever and ever. FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS Why was John on an island? Why do you think God gave him a vision? What did John see in his vision? Where is Jesus today? 19
Story Words See if you can fit all the words into the word grid. We filled in some letters to get you started. Seeing Stars Use the words on the five-pointed stars to fill in the blanks in the main point of John s Vision of Jesus. 20
What does this story teach me about God or the gospel? What does this story teach me about myself? Are there any commands in this story to obey? How are they for God s glory and my good? Are there any promises in this story to remember? How do they help me trust and love God? How does this story help me to live on mission better? God s Warning to Seven Churches Revelation 2 3 FOLD MAIN POINT: JESUS TOLD THE SEVEN CHURCHES TO STAND STRONG IN THE FAITH. FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS John had a vision of Jesus. Jesus told John to write down a message for the seven churches. So that is what John did. To the church in Ephesus: You do not love well like you did when you first believed. Turn back and love like you used to. To the church in Smyrna: You are poor and are suffering, but really you are rich! Do not be afraid. To the church in Pergamum: You are faithful to Me, but not everyone in the church is doing the right thing. Turn away from your sin and turn back to Me! To the church in Thyatira: I know about your love, faithfulness, and service. Keep believing the truth until I come. To the church in Sardis: You used to have a strong faith, but now you are weak. Wake up! Be ready for My return. Turn from your sin and remember the gospel. To the church in Philadelphia: I am coming soon. Be ready and keep believing. To the church in Laodicea: You are lukewarm not hot or cold, so you are not good for anything. I will spit you out of My mouth! Jesus said, See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. Jesus will reward every faithful and obedient believer. Christ Connection: Jesus loves the church. His message to seven local churches called them to turn away from their sin and remain faithful to Him. We can learn from those churches. Through the church, Jesus helps believers work together to do God s plan. Whose message did John write down for the churches? Why is the church important? How can we be faithful followers of Jesus? 21
Seven Churches Find and circle the seven churches John wrote to in Revelation 2 3. Seek and Find Find each church building s match. Hint: There are seven pairs. 22
What does this story teach me about God or the gospel? What does this story teach me about myself? Are there any commands in this story to obey? How are they for God s glory and my good? Are there any promises in this story to remember? How do they help me trust and love God? How does this story help me to live on mission better? Jesus on the Throne Revelation 4:2 5:14 FOLD MAIN POINT: ALL PEOPLE AND ALL CREATURES IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH WILL WORSHIP JESUS. FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS How did the creatures in John s vision describe Jesus? John was on the island of Patmos when he had a vision. John saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. John saw four living creatures around the throne. All day and night they said: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming. The elders fell down and worshiped. They said to God: You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things. Then John saw a scroll in the Lord s right hand. A mighty angel asked, Who is worthy to open the scroll? At last, one of the elders said, Look! The Lion of Judah may open the scroll. He is worthy! Then John saw someone near the throne. He took the scroll, and the elders and living creatures fell down before Jesus, the Lamb. John heard thousands and thousands of angels around the throne. They said in a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! John heard every creature everywhere worshiping the Lamb together. Christ Connection: John cried when he saw that no one was worthy to open the scroll. Then John saw the resurrected Lamb God s Son, Jesus. Jesus was killed on the cross so that we could have forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus is worthy. He deserves all praise, honor, and blessing. Why is Jesus called the Lamb? How can your family give Jesus praise and honor? 23
Praise Code The One Who Is Worthy Use the code to uncover some words of praise. Number the events in the order they happened in today s Bible story. Read Revelation 4:2,8; 5:1-3,5,7-10 to check your work. Jesus took the scroll, and the elders and living creatures fell down before Him. They worshiped Him and sang a new song. John saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. John saw a scroll in the Lord s right hand. No one was worthy to open the scroll. John saw the creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One on the throne. One of the elders said, Look! The Lion of Judah may open the scroll. He is worthy! 24
What does this story teach me about God or the gospel? What does this story teach me about myself? Are there any commands in this story to obey? How are they for God s glory and my good? Are there any promises in this story to remember? How do they help me trust and love God? How does this story help me to live on mission better? Jesus Will Return Revelation 21 22 FOLD MAIN POINT: JESUS WILL RETURN, DESTROY EVIL, AND MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. John had a vision of heaven. John wrote about what he saw. John saw a new heaven and a new earth. He also saw the Holy City coming down from heaven. He heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Look! God will live with His people. They will be His people, and He will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist. Sadness, crying, and pain will no longer exist. One of the angels carried John to a great and high mountain. The angel showed John the Holy City. John did not see a temple in the city because the Lord and the Lamb were the city s temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it. The glory of God gives light to the city, and there is no darkness. The angel showed John the river of living water. God s throne will be in the city. God s servants will see His face, and they will worship Him. The Lord will reign forever and ever. Jesus said, Listen, I am coming soon! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Christ Connection: Jesus promised to come back to earth soon. When Jesus returns, those who trust in Jesus will be with Him and enjoy Him forever. God will undo every bad thing caused by sin no more death, no more pain, no more tears. Jesus is making all things new. FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS When will Jesus return? (See Matthew 24:36.) How will the new heaven and new earth be different from earth today? Why do we look forward to Jesus return? 25
A Bright Future Answer the clues and fill the letters into the grid to answer the question. Coming Home Write a few sentences about what you think the new heavens and the new earth will be like. What does the Bible say about our future home with God? Revelation 21:3-4 Isaiah 11:9 26