Present the reading & Talk together
Luke 21.5-19 - Two ways to tell the story, followed by ideas for discussion time
Jesus tells his disciples that the Temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed. They want to know when this will happen but Jesus tells them to have faith and trust in God for the future.
Choose from these two ways of telling the story.
Props galore
Hand out the following props to the children, explaining what they symbolise: bead necklace/pretty stones (Temple); sign saying ‘Follow me’ (people coming in Jesus’ name); toy soldiers/weapon (war); cymbals (earthquake); empty bowl (starvation); doctor’s kit/stethoscope (diseases); toy handcuffs/police helmet (arrested); crown (kings); microphone (tell people about Jesus). Read the Bible story and when you come to the relevant word/phrase, encourage them to hold up/play the right prop.
Contemporary catastrophes
Read the story and stop at the end of the second paragraph to talk about places in the world where these things might be happening today.
The Temple was huge; the Temple was grand; the Temple was covered in sparkling gemstones and decorated with ornaments. Jesus listened. He listened and heard people talking about the Temple’s beauty. ‘These things that you see,’ he said, ‘will all be thrown down one day. Not one stone will be left on top of another.’ The disciples couldn’t imagine the huge, grand, sparkling Temple being thrown down. ‘When will this happen?’ they asked. They were sure that Jesus must be talking about the end of the world. ‘What signs should we look out for?’
Jesus didn’t answer directly. ‘Beware that you are not led astray,’ he said. ‘Many will come in my name, saying, “I am he, the time is near.” Don’t follow them.’ Jesus continued, ‘Before the end, there will be wars. Don’t be scared. These things must happen, but the end won’t follow immediately. Countries will fight one another; there will be earthquakes, starvation and terrible diseases; you will see incredible signs from heaven.’
The disciples tried to imagine all the things Jesus was talking about. But he hadn’t finished. ‘Before all these things happen, you will be arrested and insulted because you believe in me. You will be brought in front of kings to explain yourselves. This will give you the chance to tell people about me. Don’t worry about what to say because I will give you words and wisdom, so that nobody will be able to argue against you. You will be hated because of me; even your families and friends will turn against you, but not a hair of your heads will be harmed. You will be rewarded in heaven if you hang on and endure.’
Glossary
Temple the First Temple in Jerusalem was built by Solomon, and destroyed in 587 BC by the Babylonians. After the Jews returned from exile, they rebuilt it, 537–515 BC. Beginning in 19 BC, this Second Temple was splendidly renovated and expanded by Herod the Great, but was completely destroyed by the Romans in AD 70; to endure to suffer, put up with problems.
Talk together
- Do you ever worry about what to say if people ask you questions about Jesus?
- If you knew that Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you do first?
- When have you struggled with something but stuck at it? Were you glad that you did?