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date: July 22, 2018

Bible Passage: Revelation 19:11–21; 21—22 (Promise of Jesus’ Return)

God Is the Beginning and the End REMEMBER VERSE

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

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8:15 - 8:45

8:45 - 9:05

9:05 - 9:35

9:35 - 9:55

9:55 - end

10:30 - 11:00

11:00 - 11:25

11:25 - 11:50

11:50 - 12:10

12:10 - end

Be in class for CONNECT/CHECK-INS- playtime- coloring pages- word searches

WORSHIP

GATHER: - Remember Verse- God’s Big Story- Discuss and Investigate

RESPOND- application- activity

BLESS and Snack- playtime until end

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Leader Prep

Inspire Shares personal stories from fellow ministry leaders about how God has worked in their lives

The fragrant jasmine sent me sweet memories of my wedding day—the moment when my husband and I stood for the first time as man and wife in front of this same jasmine bush. That day had celebrated the beginning of a potentially wonderful life together: all of our shared dreams, all of the newness of establishing a home together, all of the holy expectation that we would carry the joy of that night into a long life together, serving one another.

When I later reflected in the garden, I got a picture of the way God’s presence is the same from beginning to end. God was present in my days as a young bride, and He’s still present in my days as a mature mother. God was present with my children at their births and in their first days of junior high.

As remarkable as it is for me to imagine that a flower planted for my wedding day could still be blooming, it’s even more unfathomable to imagine that the God who created heaven and earth has been with each of us since the beginning of our lives—and will be with us in the end. It’s incredible that God Himself, the One who loves us and is present with us in every detail of our lives, is also the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End.

Amy Palmerton ROCKHARBOR Church

Equip Offers perspective and context to the lesson's Bible passage

When Jesus came to earth, He humbled Himself. He became a servant. He relinquished His glorious state in heaven and took on human flesh. One of the images that most vividly portrayed Jesus’ humility was His choice to enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

In Matthew 21, Jesus sent two disciples to the city of Bethphage on an errand. He told them they would find a donkey and a colt, both of which they were to bring to Jesus. (Matthew is the only gospel that mentions both a donkey and a colt.) To a first-century audience, riding on a donkey represented humility and peace. In contrast, riding on a horse represented status and power. It also represented war. Military leaders, especially those in the Roman army, rode on horseback.

The Israelites longed for a day when their Messiah would appear. But even though prophecy described the Messiah as “lowly and riding on a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9), they yearned for God to send a great king who would destroy their enemies in war. They waited for the Messiah who would ride on horseback.

In Revelation 19, we see a picture of our Savior riding on a white horse. In the Roman world, white symbolized victory. And we read in Revelation that God will ultimately have victory and reign, not only as a military king, but also as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

When this time comes, we will see Jesus in all of His glory. He will be clothed in the majesty that He gave up for our sake. At that time, we’ll see Jesus for who He is: the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

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And we will know our true identity as children, heirs, and worshippers of the King of Kings.

Support Provides reflection and assessment through encouragement, prayer, and time in God's Word

The thought of God having a plan throughout history is awe-inspiring. Furthermore, it’s moving to know that God has a plan for each of us individually. Take time this week to reflect on God’s work in your life. Consider the following questions:

• Where in my life did situations work out unexpectedly? Were there tough situations that were transformed into good? Good situations into tough ones? • Where have I seen God work in my life? • How has God changed my life? My heart? My actions? • Where do I still need God’s healing?

After spending some time meditating on these things, take a moment to pray. First, give God praise and glory for the places you see Him working in your life. Thank Him for saving and transforming you. Ask Him to continue His work and healing. Be specific and honest with Him. Next, pray for your future. Ask for His guidance and blessing. Pray you will be faithful to His call and His will. Lastly, pray, the way Jesus taught His disciples, that His kingdom will come.

CHECK-INS/CONNECT// 10 min. Children develop relationships with their leaders and one another through simple activities and conversation starters.

Playtime, Coloring, Word Searches

WORSHIP// 8:45 and 11:00

GATHER// 30 min. Children experience and learn more about God through memorizing Scripture, storytelling from The Big God Story, prayer, and discussion.

Remember Verse Each week children will spend time memorizing a portion of Scripture together. The Remember Verse focuses on a character trait of God that’s highlighted in today’s portion of The Big God Story.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

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Storytelling Bible Passage: Revelation 19:11–21; 21—22Storytelling Technique: Painting the Narrative God Is the Beginning and the End

SUPPLIES • Optional: Investigate Questions (see Resources) • Bibles • Butcher paper (approx. 8') • Tape • Tarp or drop cloth • Tempera paint (variety of colors including green, red, brown, yellow, and blue) • Paintbrushes (1 per color) • Paper towels

SET UP Tape the butcher paper to the wall and set the paint and paintbrushes nearby.

RELATE Invite the children to gather in front of the butcher paper. Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

All throughout The Big God Story, we’ve seen how God loves us and wants us to have a relationship with Him. If we go back to the very beginning of The Big God Story, what people do we learn about? Invite the kids to respond. That’s right—Adam and Eve, the first two people. God created Adam and Eve to be in relationship with Him—to find their identity in being God’s friends. Paint a brown tree trunk with branches on the left side of the butcher paper. Use green to add leaves, and use another color to add fruit to some of the branches. But one day, Adam and Eve chose to sin. They disobeyed God. Their sin separated them from God and broke their relationship with Him. To the right of the first tree, use the brown paint to make a “dead” tree with bare branches.

God promised that He would send the Messiah to restore, or fix, the relationship between God and people. Finally, the Messiah came to earth—Jesus! How did Jesus restore our relationship with God? Invite the kids to respond. Great thoughts. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead! To the right of the dead tree, use the brown paint to make a large cross. Jesus came to earth to live as a man. He experienced pain and suffering. He experienced all of the things we do. But He lived His whole life without any sin. Jesus is God, and He is the only One who can restore our relationship with God so we can know we belong to Him.

Before Jesus rose up to heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit. When we trust and obey Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us to help us love and serve others. Amazing! Jesus also promised something else amazing: One day He will return to earth! We’re still waiting for that day to come. Use any color paint to write the current date, including the year, to the right of the cross. As we wait, God invites us to share the truth of Jesus with those around us. It’s so exciting to share about Jesus with those who need Him!

The last part of The Big God Story tells us what it will be like when Jesus returns. Just like God was there in the beginning, He will be there in the end. Where can we learn more about this in our Bibles?

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Invite the kids to respond. In the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. Invite the kids to turn to Revelation 21 in their Bibles. The Bible says that when Jesus returns to earth, it will be as a King. Use the yellow paint to make a large crown. Jesus will ride a white horse, and He’ll be called the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And God will make everything new. Read verse 1 as the children follow along. What do you think a new heaven and earth will be like? Invite the kids to respond.

God will make a new earth—it will be more beautiful than anything we’ve ever seen. But God also promises to make each of us new—we won’t experience any of the sadness we sometimes go through now. Read verses 3–5 aloud. Jesus promises to make all things new!

The Bible tells us there will be a new city of Jerusalem, and it will be filled with God’s glory. God will live there! It will be so beautiful. The city will be decorated with all kinds of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and more. Use the red, blue, and green paint to make three gemstones. The glory of God will light up the whole city! Read verses 23–24 aloud while the kids follow along. Then use the yellow paint to make a bright sun.

When Jesus returns, there will be no more sadness or pain. Jesus promises to make all things new. The hard things in life will go away. People won’t get sick, they won’t sin, and they’ll live according to God’s way all the time. Our relationship with God will be perfect and right! Read Revelation 22:1–2 aloud.

Jesus promises to return, and we can trust that He will. God has kept all of His promises, and He’ll keep this one too. Read verse 20 aloud. When we hear Jesus’ promise, we say, “Yes! Come, Lord Jesus!” When Jesus returns, everything will be right. We will have a perfect relationship with Him. We won’t be sad; instead, we’ll be filled with joy because we’ll be with God and one another! Until then, we can continue to invite others to know Jesus so they can live with Him forever too.

God is the Beginning and the End. He’s powerful and created everything—and He loves us and wants to have a relationship with us! Wow! Share what most excites you about spending eternity with Almighty God.

Discussion Questions • What did Adam and Eve do that separated people from God? Genesis 2:16–17; 3:6 • How did Jesus fix our relationship with God? Romans 5:8 • What did Jesus promise to do after He went to heaven? Acts 1:11 • What is most exciting to you about living forever with Jesus?

RESPOND// 15 min. Children reflect on what the Holy Spirit is teaching them and respond to God through creative activities and games.

Application: Names of God Children will look at various names of God and create a poster of His names.

SUPPLIES

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• Names of God cards (see Resources) • Scissors • Tarp or drop cloth • Poster board (1 sheet, white) • Glue sticks (1 for every 1–2 children) • Watercolor paints • Paintbrushes (1 per child)

• Disposable bowls (2–3) • Water (2–3 c.) • Paper towels • Worship music

PREPARE AHEAD Print the cards and cut them apart. Make sure you have one or two cards for every child.

SET UP Lay the tarp or drop cloth on a table. Put the water in the bowls, and put the bowls on the tarp along with the Names of God cards and the rest of the supplies.

RELATE God is the Beginning and the End. He created the earth and everything in it. And one day Jesus will return in all of His glory. We’ll see Him face-to-face and live with Him forever! How does it make you feel to know Jesus will return? Invite responses.

When Jesus returns, it will be the most exciting event we’ll ever experience. What would you like to say to Jesus when He returns? Invite kids to spend a few moments pondering the fact that Jesus will one day return and they’ll spend eternity with Him.

The book of Revelation lists many of God’s names, such as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Alpha and Omega. On the table you’ll see some cards with some of God’s names. Take one that stands out to you or encourages you and glue it to the poster board. Then use the watercolors to paint over it. Together you’ll create a beautiful piece of art celebrating the many names of our amazing God. When the children finish their art piece, invite them to spend some time praising God through music.

(Optional) Heads or Tails Children play a game that helps them further consider the concept of beginning and end.

SUPPLIES • Coin

RELATE God is the Beginning and the End. Everything began with Him creating the world, and the world, as we know it, will end with Jesus returning on a white horse.

Invite your class to play a game of Heads or Tails. Have the children stand up together in a circle. Invite the kids to vote either heads by placing their hands on their heads or tails by placing their hands on their lower backs. Then flip a coin. If the coin lands on heads, those who put their hands on their heads will move to the next round and the ones who voted tails will be eliminated. If the coin lands on tails, those who voted tails will move to the next round. Continue until everyone has been eliminated.

After the game, spend some time in discussion: What do you think the end will be like when Jesus returns? How does it make you feel to know Jesus was there at the beginning of time and will be there at the end?

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BLESS and SNACK// 5 min. Children receive a blessing from their leaders and sometimes one another. A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide.

RELATE Open a Bible and read Philippians 2:9–11:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Now invite the kids to repeat each line of the verse after you and imitate your actions.

Leader: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place (point to the sky using both arms) Children: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place (have kids point to the sky using both arms) Leader: and gave him the name that is above every name (put hands above head) Children: and gave him the name that is above every name (have kids put their hands above their heads) Leader: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (bow on your knees) Children: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (have kids bow on their knees) Leader: and every tongue (point to your mouth) acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord Children: and every tongue (have kids point to their mouths) acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord Leader: to the glory of God the Father (raise your hands) Children: to the glory of God the Father (have kids raise their hands)

Finally, ask the kids to stand together as you bless them.

May you know that God is the Beginning and the End. His name is above every other name. May you desire to honor and worship Him with everything you are.

Send home the At Home Weekly with your kids.

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