During the season of Advent, we celebrate the coming of Christ. We think back to His birth in Bethlehem, but we also look forward to His Second Coming one day. This message encourages children to consider things that they might have to wait for. Great things are worth the wait, and sometimes we can increase patience by doing other things to pass time. In the same way, Jesus is well worth the wait, and while we look forward to His coming, we live in His presence and serve Him in all we do.
Law/Gospel Theme: At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Christ, but sometimes forget the significance of why that’s so important. Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people, the Messiah come to save. The people of God waited in long anticipation, and the birth of Jesus was only the beginning. We rejoice that He came to Earth, but know that He came to die. On the other side of the resurrection, we now await His coming again, knowing that God will be faithful to that promise, as well.
Optional Materials: Pictures of people waiting in line, or items representing waiting and how and when we wait for things.
More Teaching Ideas:
- Watch a video demonstration of this children’s lesson and related Bible craft ideas
- Compare our full Luke 21:25-36 Sunday School Lesson
- Browse all our free Christmas Sunday School Lessons for kids
Bible Passage: Luke 21:25-36
Message Note:: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs.
Waiting on Jesus (Luke 21:25-36) Children’s Sermon Lesson
Greet children, and discuss the concept of waiting:
Hello, children of God! Have you ever had to wait for something? What are some things we have to wait for? (Allow some responses). There are a lot of things that we find ourselves waiting for. (As you describe, hold up pictures of things that people wait for, or picture examples of people waiting). We might have to wait our turn with a toy or on a playground. When we go to a restaurant, we probably have to wait just to sit at a table, and then we wait again for someone to take our order and cook our food. If you’re at a fair or amusement park, you have to wait in long lines. If you go to a doctor or dentist, you have to sit in a waiting room. You might have to wait when you’re taking a long car ride.
Waiting can be hard! It’s especially challenging when you’re waiting for something you really want or need, like when you’re hungry and need food. What are some things that you do while you wait? (Take examples, such as playing a game or talking to someone). It’s safe to say that good things are worth the wait. People are willing to stand in long lines or spend two hours at a restaurant if they know that they are waiting for something wonderful.
We are in the season of Advent now, and Advent is a time for waiting. The word “Advent” means coming. Who’s coming are we celebrating in these weeks? That’s right, the coming of Jesus! Right now, we are waiting for Christmas, which can also seem tough. But we shouldn’t just be anticipating presents or fun activities. This is a season when we celebrate Jesus. When He was born, it was the fulfillment of a promise that God had given long before. He promised a Messiah to rescue His people from sin. Prophets had spoken of the coming of Christ, and people waited for hundreds of years. They knew a savior was coming, even if they weren’t sure exactly how or when it would be. They were willing to wait because they knew it would be worth it. At Christmas, we celebrate that God kept His promises. He sent Jesus as a savior, and His presence is still with us today!
So, we remember the joy of the coming of Jesus. However, we are also waiting, because He has promised to come again! Jesus will return some day, and all things will made new. We don’t know when this will be or exactly how it will happen, but we know we can trust God’s promises. It might be tomorrow, it might be in 200 years. We know that His coming will be worth the wait! In the meantime, what can we do? How do we pass the time while we wait? We wait with joy, and hope, and with thanksgiving. We recognize that Jesus is present with us now, and we seek to glorify Him with our lives, through service and worship. We pray, attend church, and read God’s Word to know His heart. Waiting for something great takes time…Jesus is worthy of our patience and eager anticipation!
Let’s pray and thank God for fulfilling His promises and sending Jesus…
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for keeping your promises
Jesus is worth waiting for!
Help us to trust in you
And to await you with hope and joy
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” –Luke 21:25-36