BIBLE STORY: “Jesus Tells About Heaven” (based on John 14:1-7; Acts 1:9-11;
1 John 2:28)
Instructions: If your situation allows, have the children walk with you as you tell the story to a predetermined “Mount of Olives” location where they will sit. Explain prior to the story they will be walking quietly as they listen to the story.
Story: Jesus and His disciples were going on a walk. What a great time they were having together! Jesus had risen from the dead. His friends were so excited to be with Him again.
As they walked along together, the disciples asked Jesus questions. There were still many things they did not understand.
“How long are you going to be with us?” they wanted to know.
“Don’t’ be troubled,” Jesus said to his disciples. “Just trust in Me. There are many homes in heaven, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so you can be with Me where I am.”
As they continued walking, Jesus led the disciples along a road that wound around the side of a hill called the Mount of Olives. They climbed until they came to the top. There Jesus stopped. (Ask children to sit.)
Lifting up His hands, Jesus blessed His disciples and then He began rising into the sky and went on to heaven. Up, up, up Jesus went until a big cloud covered Him from sight.
The disciples just stood there staring at the sky. They were hoping to catch one more glimpse of Jesus. As they were straining their eyes for another look, two angels suddenly stood right alongside them.
“Why are you staring up into heaven?” the angels said. “Jesus is coming back again. Don’t you remember what He told you? He’s coming back exactly the same way you just saw Him go.”
Someday Jesus will return to take all those who love Him to live with Him forever in heaven.
PRAYER: “Thank You, Jesus, that you are in heaven preparing a place for everyone who loves and trusts You. Help us to ‘stay in happy fellowship with You so when You come we will be sure all is well’ (1John 2:28, TLB). Amen.”
SONG: “Jesus” by Mary Rice Hopkins from Miracle Mud album.
BIBLE STORY REVIEW GAME:
Preparation: Cut 7 cloud shapes. Number the front sides 1-7. Write the questions on the backs. Attach to blue poster board with tape, numbers facing out.
1. What were Jesus and His disciples doing? (Taking a walk)
2. Where did Jesus take them? (To a hill)
3. What was the name of the hill? (Mount of Olives)
4. What happened on the Mount of Olives? (Jesus rose into heaven)
5. After Jesus went into heaven, who came alongside the disciples? (Two angels)
6. What did the angels say? (Jesus is coming back again)
7. Where is Jesus today? (In heaven)
Activity: Choose children to take down the shapes in order from 1-7. Read the question. On a 3-count, ask the boys and girls to give their answer in unison.
BIBLE VERSE: “Behold, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:7).
Directions: Cut out 6 cloud shapes from construction paper. On each one write a word from the verse and the reference. Hide around the room.
Activity: Ask the children to raise their hands when they see a piece of the verse. Have one child at a time get a cloud and attach it to the bulletin board in the right order.
MAKE ‘N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY: Jesus Going to Heaven Collage Picture
Needed for Each Child: Construction paper, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, cotton balls, cloth scraps, construction paper scraps.
Activity: The children draw a picture of Jesus going to heaven and turn it into a collage by adding cotton clouds, putting clothes on the people, etc.