lesson 10 | eternitystorage.cloversites.com/pinedalechristianchurch/documents/10 elem… · (point...

Bible Basis: 2 Kings 2:1 – 17; Revelation 4:1 – 8; 7:9; 21:11 – 22

Key Verse: John 14:1 – 2: “Do not let your hearts be troubled . . . There are many rooms in my Father’s house.”

Key Question: What happens next?

Key Idea: I believe there is a heaven and a hell and that Jesus will return to establish his eternal kingdom.

Resource: Believe Storybook Bible , Chapter 10, “Eternity”

Master Supplies List ❑ Believe Storybook Bible ❑ PowerPoint slides or printable posters of illustrations ❑ Baby doll ❑ Large shirt ❑ Family Page (one per child)

Optional SuppliesYou will need the following supplies based on which option(s) you choose in STEP 3 | Explore More:

❑ OPTION 1: Large blue paper or plastic cups (one per child), white paper plates (one per child), Elijah Taken template, paper clip (one per child), cotton balls, string, glue, tape, scissors, crayons, stapler

❑ OPTION 2: Small beanbag ❑ OPTION 3: Dreams and Visions sheet (one per child), pencils,

crayons ❑ OPTION 4: Crayons or markers, Let’s Color! sheet (one per child) ❑ OPTION 6: Two puppets

LESSON 10 | Eternity

9780310826385_believe_curr_early_elem_1_10_4thpgs.indd 1 3/25/15 10:27 AM

November 6th, 2016

LESSON 10: Eternity | EARLY ELEMENTARY 2

STEP 1 | Come Together (5 min)

Supplies: Baby doll, large shirt

• GATHER the children.

BABY DOLL• SHOW the children the baby doll. Then put it inside the shirt so it can’t

be seen.• SAY, Before this baby was born, he needed a safe place to grow. The

baby loved being somewhere warm and dark where he got nutrients and everything else he needed. The baby didn’t know about looking at people, feeling hugs, talking about ideas, or learning new things. The baby was perfectly happy right where he was.

• REMOVE the baby from the shirt.• ASK, Do you know the first thing babies do when they are born? (Take

responses)• SAY, That’s right, they cry. Being born is probably very uncomfortable.

Suddenly they are in a bright, cold room filled with strange noises. If babies could talk, they might tell you that they want to go back where it was safe and dark and warm!

• CONTINUE, Babies don’t know all of the wonderful things to come in this life. What are some things this baby will experience now that he has been born? (Take responses)

REVIEW• SAY, When we try to think of God’s home for us in heaven, we are kind

of like babies. We like it where we are. We think we have the things we need. But we can’t even imagine God’s wonderful plans for us after this life. Once we are with him in heaven, we won’t even wish to be back on earth. The things we need and enjoy here, like dessert or video games, won’t matter to us anymore.

• SAY, Today we are going to learn about spending time with God in heaven when our life on earth is over.

KEY VERSE• REVIEW this week’s Key Verse. You may want to repeat the verse slowly

a few times until the children are able to say the verse from memory• NOTE: You may also choose to review last week’s Key Verse together.



John 14:1-2Do not let your hearts be troubled . . .

(place your hand over your heart and shake your head in a “no” signal)

There are many rooms (open arms wide)in my Father’s house. (point up to heaven)

STEP 2 | Hear the Story (10 min)

Supplies: Believe Storybook Bible, PowerPoint slides or printable posters of illustrations

INTRODUCTION• SAY, We know from the Bible about God’s promise of our home in

heaven. Today we’ll read about Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without dying. We’ll also hear about John, who got to see heaven and then told others about it.

• SAY, Whenever we hear the word heaven in today’s story, we’ll raise our hands, look up, and say, “Holy, holy, holy.” Let’s practice that one time.

READ CHAPTER 10• READ aloud chapter 10, “Eternity,” from the Believe Storybook Bible. As

you approach the word heaven each time, pause briefly to cue the chil-dren to raise their hands, look up, and say, “Holy, holy, holy.”

• SHOW the illustrations included with this curriculum on PowerPoint slides or printable posters.

REVIEW ELIJAH• ASK, How did Elijah get to heaven without dying? (God took him right

to heaven; a strong wind; a flaming chariot)

REVIEW HEAVEN• ASK, What did John see when he was alone on the island? (An angel, a

vision of heaven)• ASK, What details do you remember about what heaven will look like?

(Throne with sparkling jewels, gates made of solid pearl, a tree of life, streets of gold)

• ASK, What are all of the people in heaven doing? (Worshiping God, waving palm branches, singing)

• ASK, How can we be sure that we have a home in heaven? (By trusting God’s word, by following Jesus)



• PRAY, Thank you, God, for your glory that is brighter than the sum-mer sun and for allowing us to share in your heavenly home. Amen.

STEP 3 | Explore MoreChoose from these activity options, depending on your available time frame, to help children explore the lesson further.

Option 1: Elijah Taken to Heaven (15 min)

Supplies: Large blue paper or plastic cups (one per child), white paper plates (one per child), Elijah Taken to Heaven template (one per child), paper clip (one per child), cotton balls, string, glue, tape, scissors, crayons, stapler

Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Elijah Taken to Heaven template (enough for one image square per child). Cut apart the picture squares from the Elijah Taken to Heaven sheet. Poke a hole in the bottom of each cup (large enough to pass string through). Prepare a sample to use as a model.

• SAY, Elisha was amazed when he saw his friend Elijah taken up to heaven in a strong wind and a chariot of fire.

• DEMONSTRATE Elijah’s ascension with your sample craft.• GIVE each child a cup, cotton balls, and glue.• INSTRUCT them to pull the cotton balls gently to loosen, and then

glue puffs to their cup to represent clouds in the sky. Set aside to dry.• GIVE each child a paper plate, crayons, and scissors.• DEMONSTRATE how to cut the edge from a paper plate to create a

spiral that will form the whirlwind. Cut the smallest section of the spi-ral off and discard (this will allow the spiral to be open as wide as the mouth of the cup).

• HELP children cut their spirals as needed.• GIVE each child a Elijah Taken to Heaven picture square. As they color

and cut the image, staple their whirlwind just inside the mouth of their cup. Be sure to staple so the bent ends of the staple are inside the cup.

• GIVE each child a paper clip and length of string about two feet long.• INSTRUCT them to tie the string tightly to the paper clip and tape

the paper clip to the back of Elijah. String the free end of the string up through the hole in the cup. Help children tie a loop at the end that fits their finger. Knot it enough so it can’t be pulled through the hole in the cup.

• ENCOURAGE the children to use their craft to tell others the story of Elijah and of God’s heavenly home for all who believe in Jesus.



Option 2: God’s Glory (10 min)

Supplies: Small beanbag

• INSTRUCT the children to sit in a circle on the floor.• SAY, In John’s vision of heaven, he realized that God’s glory is brighter

than the sun. It’s hard to imagine anything brighter than the sun, but it’s true! Think about God’s glory in heaven, stretching your imagina-tion as far as it can go. Is it stronger than . . . ? Taller than . . . ? Tastier than . . . ?

• GIVE the beanbag to one child who will begin the game by saying, “God’s glory is brighter than the sun.” The child then passes the bean-bag to the person next to him or her. That child must repeat, “God’s glory is brighter than the sun” and add on their own idea, such as “and bigger than the universe.”

• CONTINUE passing the beanbag around the circle, with each child repeating the entire list and adding a new phrase to the end. If this is too challenging for your class, you may want to list some prompts on paper for them to refer to (wider, better, higher, greater, heavier, stron-ger, etc.). To make the game even easier, have them list the ideas in the same order as your prompts.

Option 3: Dreams and Visions (10 min)

Supplies: Dreams and Visions sheet (one per child), pencils, crayons

Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Dreams and Visions sheet (one per child). You may also choose to have children work in teams of three or four and discuss as they work on the paper and help each other fill out the answers. Or you may choose to work on this as a group.

• GIVE a copy of the Dreams and Visions sheet to each child.• READ the directions.• HELP with any questions or problems as they write their answers to

the questions.• ALLOW children to share their work with one another when finished.

Option 4: Let’s Color! (10 min)

Supplies: Crayons or markers, Let’s Color! sheet (one per child)

Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Let’s Color! sheet (one per child).



• GIVE each child a coloring page.• PROVIDE a selection of crayons and/or markers for the children to share.• DISCUSS this week’s Key Idea as the children color.

Option 5: Praise and Worship (15 min)

“Big House,” by Barry Blair, Bob Herdman, Mark Stuart, and Will McGinniss

© 1993 by Up in the Mix MusicCCLI #1414735

“Our God Is Greater,” by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jonas Myrin, and Matt Redman

© 2010 by Said And Done Music, SHOUT! Music Publishing, sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, Vamos Publishing, worshiptogether.com songs

CCLI #5677416

Option 6: Act It Out (15 min)

A Home in Heaven

Act out this short skit, using two puppets or the teacher and a class helper. Take a few responses from children each time they are addressed by the puppets.

Characters

Emily a young girlJake a young boy

Optional Props: Two puppets

Emily: Hey, it’s my friend, Jake! Hi, Jake. I haven’t seen you since you moved. How do you like your new house?

Jake: Oh, it’s great! It’s so big I get my own room, and we painted it orange. There’s a nice backyard with a swing set.

Emily: (to children) What’s your favorite thing about your home?

(EMILY pauses for responses)

Jake: I love my new house so much I never want to leave!

Emily: That’s great to hear, but you know, someday you’ll have an even bet-ter home, and you will stay there for the rest of eternity!

Jake: I will? But I already have a home that I like a lot.



Emily: This home is different. It is your home in heaven with God. It has gates made of pearl, streets of gold, and a tree that heals.

Jake: It sounds amazing, but I bet it costs too much. Our new house cost thousands and thousands of dollars. And I only have fifteen dollars in my piggy bank.

Emily: (to children) How much do you think a home in heaven costs?


Emily: There’s good news, Jake. This home in heaven is absolutely free! It is God’s gift to believers.

Jake: Free? That’s hard to imagine, but I guess God doesn’t need our money anyway.

Emily: It’s free to you, but someone else had to pay for your ticket to get in. (to children) Do you know who paid for us to have a home in heaven?


Emily: When Jesus died on the cross, he paid for your sins and gave you the forgiveness you need to be close to God. When he rose from the dead, he made sure that his believers would not die but live with him in heaven.

Jake: He did all that for me? And all I have to do is trust and follow him? It sure sounds too good to be true!

Emily: But we can believe it. (to children) How can we know for sure that we have a home in heaven?


Emily: We can look forward to spending forever in God’s house because Jesus took our place on the cross. He died so that we could spend forever with God. And one day, we will be together with Jesus in God’s house.

Jake: That sounds amazing. I still think my new house here on earth is pretty great, but I’m glad God has a home waiting for me in heaven.



STEP 4 | Going Home (5 min)

Supplies: Family Page (one per child)

Teacher Prep: Print and photocopy the Family Page supplied with this lesson (one per child).

• GIVE each child a copy of this week’s Family Page.• SAY, Give this page to your family when they pick you up. It will

remind you to tell your family about our eternal home in heaven.• HAVE children practice telling you about how God has prepared a

home for us in heaven.• REVIEW this week’s Key Verse as well as today’s story and Key Idea

from the Believe Storybook Bible as you wait for the children to get picked up.

• MAKE sure each child remembers to take home any activity sheets or craft projects and the Family Page.


Lesson 10

LESSON 10: Eternity | EARLY ELEMENTARY | Elijah Taken to Heaven Template


LESSON 10: Eternity | EARLY ELEMENTARY

Draw a picture of a dream you’ve had. Tell about it.

Draw a picture of John’s vision. Tell about it.

Dreams and Vision Name:



[Coloring page to come]

Let’s Color! Name:

Simple line drawing of the gates of heaven (or similar). Pick up from Preschool.



FAMILY PAGE | Lesson 10: Eternity

Bible Basis: 2 Kings 2:1 – 17; Revelation 4:1 – 8; 7:9; 21:11 – 22

Key Verse: John 14:1 – 2 “Do not let your hearts be troubled . . . There are many rooms in my Father’s house.”

Key Question: What happens next?

Key Idea: I believe there is a heaven and a hell and that Jesus will return to establish his eternal kingdom.

Resource: Believe Storybook Bible , Chapter 10, “Eternity”

How to Use This PageThis week, your family can either read the story from the Believe Storybook Bible or read the Bible Basis passages from your Bible to help your child remember it. Use the Table Talk questions below to start a discussion around the din-ner table, while driving in the car, or just about anywhere. The Living Faith activity is designed to remind your child of the Bible lesson through a drama or other engaging activity. The Extra Mile ideas provide interactive ways for your child to connect with the story.

Table Talk 1. What are some things you enjoy now that you didn’t even know about

when you were a baby? 2. What are some things you care about now that probably won’t really

matter when you are in your heavenly home with God? 3. What song would you like to sing to God when you see him in

heaven? 4. What do you think (name of a familiar person who is now in heaven)

is doing right now?

Living Faith

Option 1This week, help your child reenact the story of Elijah and Elisha. If weather permits, take the activity outside. First, you’ll need some Bible-era clothing. An old towel with a hole in the middle (for the head) can be worn with a rope belt. Elijah will need some type of cloak over the top of his clothes. Outdoors,



you can get creative with the Jordan River, but indoors two white or blue blankets will do the trick. For a fiery chariot, decorate a bicycle with red and orange streamers or ribbons. Indoors, you can use a chair with wheels.

Option 2Use the Internet to look up images and information about chariots. Your child will learn some things about biblical history. Draw a picture of Elijah in the chariot of fire or maybe even wash the “chariot” (vehicle) in your driveway, weather permitting.

Extra Mile• This week’s lesson caught just the tail end of the story of the prophet

Elijah. However, the Bible has much to say about his life and minis-try. Take some time with your family to refresh your memory of how God used this prophet. Read 1 Kings 17 – 22 and 2 Kings 1 – 2 over the course of this week or watch a good Bible movie or cartoon about him.

• The concept of eternity is a tough one even for adults to wrap their head around. Help your child understand the vastness of time by creating a timeline together. Look up the dates of important changes throughout the past, such as the first airplane flight, the invention of cell phones, or the exploration of the Americas. Mark these milestones on a poster and have your child add illustrations. Talk about how these changes take place over a matter of years, but God’s kingdom will last throughout eternity.

• Create a simple flip book called “Heaven Is . . .” Look through Revela-tion 4 and 21 for details, and use your own imagination as well. End the book with “The Beginning” rather than “The End.” When your fam-ily or someone you know loses a loved one, this book will be a sweet reminder of our promised home in heaven.


lesson 10 | eternitystorage.cloversites.com/pinedalechristianchurch/documents/10 elem… · (point...

Documents