This lesson teaches children that Jesus wants his followers to stay faithful and ready, even when they don’t know exactly when something will happen. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. Matthew 24 is a longer chapter, so the teacher can choose the parts that fit the class.
Big Idea
Jesus wants us to keep loving him and doing what is right every day, because we do not know the day or hour when he will come back. Being ready means staying close to Jesus now.
Memory Verse
Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.
(WEB)
Have children cup their hands around their eyes like binoculars, then sweep them left and right as if they are looking out for something coming. Say the verse together while you do the motion, then repeat it again without the motion.
The Story: Matthew 24 for Kids
One day Jesus walked out of the big temple in Jerusalem. His friends, called disciples, came up to him and pointed at the huge stone buildings. They were proud of how beautiful 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 with questions. They wanted to know when these things would happen. Jesus began to explain that there would be many troubles in the world, like wars, earthquakes, and hard times. He warned them not to let anyone lead them away from the truth.
Jesus told them that some people would pretend to be the Christ and try to trick others. He said, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.” He wanted his friends to stay strong and keep trusting him even when things got scary.
Then Jesus told a story about a man who had a house. The man did not know what time a thief would come, so he needed to stay awake and watch. Jesus said that his followers must be ready too, because they do not know the hour when he will return. He wanted them to be like a careful watchman.
Jesus also told a story about two servants. One servant took care of the others and gave them food at the right time. The other servant became lazy and mean, saying in his heart that his master would not come back soon. Jesus said that the faithful servant would be blessed, and that the unkind servant would face trouble. Jesus wanted his followers to be faithful and kind every day.
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 about who they listen to. Ask children how they can tell when someone is telling the truth, and remind them that they can always check what Jesus says in the Bible.
Matthew 24:13
But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.
(WEB)
Explain that enduring means staying faithful even when something is hard. Show children that Jesus promises to save those who keep trusting him all the way to the end, not just for a little while.
Matthew 24:44
Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
(WEB)
Point out the words “be ready” and “an hour that you don’t expect.” Explain that being ready is not about worrying, but about living kindly and faithfully every day so we are never caught unprepared.
Talk About It
- What is one thing you could do this week to show that you are ready for Jesus to come back?
- How can we tell when someone is trying to lead us away from what is true?
- What does it look like to be faithful when nobody is watching you?
- Why do you think Jesus told his friends to keep watch instead of telling them the exact day?
- How did the faithful servant show kindness to the people he took care of?
Activity Ideas
Watchman Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a paper towel tube or cardboard tube. Have each child draw a picture of a watchman standing guard, then glue the picture to the tube to make a simple telescope. Encourage children to talk about one way they can watch over their family or friends with kindness.
Be Ready Game
Set up a relay race using a few cups, a spoon, and a small ball or crumpled paper. Children carry the ball on the spoon from one side of the room to the other without dropping it, practicing being careful and steady. When everyone finishes, talk about how being ready takes practice, just like keeping the ball on the spoon.
Take-Home Reminder Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a marker. Write the memory verse on one side of each card and let children decorate the other side with a small picture of a candle or a lamp. Ask them to place the card somewhere they will see it each morning, such as on the bathroom mirror or by their shoes.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Matthew 24 teaches that Jesus will return and that his followers should live with steady faithfulness rather than anxious speculation about dates. The chapter repeatedly calls believers to watchfulness, endurance, and faithful service, and it warns against false teachers who promise signs or secret knowledge. The focus is on being ready through love and obedience, not on predicting the future.
With children, avoid overstating the frightening images in the chapter, such as the darkening of the sun or the gathering of the chosen ones. Keep the emphasis on Jesus’s kindness, his promise to be with us, and the simple call to live faithfully each day. Children should leave feeling hopeful and loved, not afraid.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, we want to be ready for you every day. Help us to listen carefully, to stay faithful when things are hard, and to be kind to the people around us. Keep our hearts close to you, and help us trust you no matter what happens. Amen.
