In this lesson, children learn that Jesus wants his followers to stay faithful and ready for his return, even when they do not know the exact day. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. Keep the focus on trust and readiness, not on fear or on predicting dates.
Big Idea
Jesus wants us to keep loving and obeying him every day, because we do not know when he will come back. We can trust him, and we can be ready by staying close to him. Being ready means living faithfully now, not worrying about the calendar.
Memory Verse
Matthew 24:13
But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.
(WEB)
Hold both hands up in front of you, then slowly bring them together and clasp them tight, the way you would hold on to something important. As you say the verse, keep your hands clasped to show that we hold on to Jesus until the end. Let the children do it with you a few times.
The Story: Matthew 24 for Kids
One day Jesus walked out of the temple in Jerusalem. His friends, called disciples, came up to him and pointed at the big buildings. They were amazed by how grand the temple looked. Jesus told them that one day none of those stones would be left standing on top of each other.
Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, and his disciples came to him privately with a question. They asked him when these things would happen and what sign would show that he was coming back. Jesus knew they were curious, and he wanted them to be careful. He warned them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.”
Jesus told them that there would be wars, troubles, and hard times, but they should not be frightened. He said these things were like the beginning of birth pains, a sign that something new was coming. He also said that people who followed him might be treated badly, but they should keep their faith strong. Jesus promised that anyone who stayed faithful to the end would be saved.
Jesus then spoke about a time when people would need to act quickly to stay safe. He told them to pray that their escape would not be hard. He reminded them that no one knows the exact day or hour when he will return, not even the angels in heaven. Only his Father knows that day.
To help them understand, Jesus told a story about a fig tree. When the branches grow soft and green, everyone knows that summer is close. In the same way, his friends could learn to notice the signs and stay watchful. Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.”
Jesus finished by telling a story about a faithful servant. The servant’s master trusted him to care for the other workers and give them food at the right time. If the master came home and found the servant doing his job well, that servant would be happy and rewarded. Jesus wanted his friends to be like that faithful servant, doing good work while they wait.
Read It Together
Matthew 24:4-5
4 Jesus answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus warned his friends to be careful and not be fooled by people who pretend to speak for him. Ask the children how they can tell when someone is telling the truth about Jesus, and remind them to check what they hear against what the Bible says. Keep the tone calm and encouraging.
Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.
(WEB)
Explain that “watch” means to pay attention and keep living faithfully, not to sit nervously waiting. Show children that we watch by being kind, praying, and obeying Jesus each day. Remind them that they do not need to know the exact hour to be ready.
Matthew 24:45-46
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus describes a servant who is faithful and wise, doing the job he was given. Ask the children what kinds of jobs they can do well at home or school while they wait for Jesus. Highlight that the blessing comes from being faithful in ordinary days.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you can do this week to show Jesus you are ready for him?
- Why do you think Jesus did not tell his friends the exact day he would come back?
- How does it feel to know Jesus will always keep his promises?
- What can we do when we feel scared about hard things happening in the world?
- Who is someone who has been faithful to you, and how did they show it?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Faithful Servant
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of a servant doing a helpful job, such as feeding animals, setting a table, or caring for a younger sibling. Then have them write or draw one way they can be faithful to Jesus this week. Display the pictures together on the wall as a reminder.
Ready, Set, Watch
You will need a small open space and a timer or a clock. Tell the children to pretend to do regular chores, like sweeping, stacking books, or watering plants, while you randomly call out “Watch!” At that signal, they freeze in a ready pose and then return to their work. Explain that we keep doing good things while we watch and wait for Jesus.
Ready Box Take-Home
You will need an empty shoebox or small paper bag, a few sticky notes, and a pen. Give each child a box and ask them to write one faithful action on each sticky note, such as sharing, praying, or helping at home. They place the notes inside and take the box home to open one each day. This keeps the lesson in their routine through the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Matthew 24 is Jesus answering his disciples about the destruction of the temple and the signs leading to the end of the age. Jesus urges watchfulness, endurance, and faithfulness rather than speculation about dates. The consistent call is to live ready and trust him, because the timing belongs to the Father.
With children, avoid overstating the frightening imagery or suggesting that they must predict or decode specific events. Keep the emphasis on trust, faithfulness, and Jesus’s care, and let the more difficult details remain simple and gentle.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for telling us to be ready for you. Help us to love you and obey you every day, even when we are busy or tired. Please keep us close to you until you come back. We trust you to take care of us always. Amen.
