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 ❑ Several sheets of white construction paper ❑ Markers ❑ 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: Newspapers or paper towels, white coffee filters, washable markers, small paintbrushes or spray bottles, water, permanent marker

❑ OPTION 2: Sparkling Rainbow template, tape, self-stick jewels (available in craft stores), blindfold

❑ OPTION 4: Crayons or markers, Let’s Color! sheet (one per child) ❑ OPTION 6: One puppet, “ID tag” that has a street address on it,

a cross necklace, a stuffed cat or dog with an ID collar

LESSON 10 | Eternity

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL 2

STEP 1 | Come Together (15 min)

Supplies: Several sheets of white construction paper, markers

Teacher Prep: Write the title “What Happens Next?” on one sheet of paper. On another sheet, make a simple sketch of stick-figure children sitting at church hearing a story. Write “Today” at the bottom. Sketch a simple heaven scene on another sheet. This could include a main throne with a glowing figure surrounded by other thrones, streets of gold where everyone seems joyful, or a crowd robed in white standing around Jesus. Be sure to draw and emphasize that heaven is a place of no more tears or pain. (Use Revelation 4:1 – 8; 7:9; 21:11 – 22 for reference.) Write “Heaven” at the bottom of this paper, and put it at the bottom of the sheets of paper.

• GATHER the children.• SAY, Today you are going to tell me a story for a change! You are going

to tell the story, and I will draw the pictures. I’m not sure exactly what you will say, but I already know the ending!

• CONTINUE, This is a true story, and it’s called “What Happens Next?” I’ve started the first page already. It starts now. Here you all are in the picture sitting at church today. This word says “Today.” It shows that you are a child and you are learning. What will happen next in your life as you grow? (Take responses)

• DRAW on a new sheet of paper a simple sketch of the next life event children mention, such as go to school, and add a brief label.

• CONTINUE asking the children “What happens next?” as you sketch and label each idea on a new sheet of paper. Guide the children to talk about major life events rather than a daily schedule.

• CONTINUE for a few minutes until the children arrive at growing very old or even dying.

• DRAW and label this last idea.• SAY, The story doesn’t end there. Do you remember that I told you I

already know the ending to this story?• TURN to the last page to show the picture of heaven.• SAY, We don’t have to wonder what’s next anymore. God has promised

he has a home for us in heaven. We believe in Jesus, so we will get to stay with him forever and ever in heaven.

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.

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL 3

• NOTE: You may also choose to review last week’s Key Verse together.

John 14:1 – 2Do not let your hearts be troubled . . . (cross arms over your chest)There are many rooms in my Father’s house.

(make a roof shape above your head)

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 the story script below or chapter 10, “Eternity,” from the

Believe Storybook Bible. As you approach the word heaven each time, pause briefly to cue the children to raise their hands, look up, and say, “Holy, holy, holy.”

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

THE STORY OF ELIJAH• Everyone loves a happy ending. When you believe in Jesus, you

can be sure that your life will have a happy ending. The Bible says that when this life on Earth ends, there’s a brand-new life for us in heaven! Elijah was a prophet who had an amazing trip to heaven. . .

• Elijah loved and served God. He taught people about God, even when angry kings tried to stop him. Elijah went wherever God told him to go. His helper, Elisha, followed him.

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL 4

• Elijah said, “Stay behind.” But Elisha followed. Three times Elijah told him to stay behind. But Elisha said, “As sure as the LORD lives, I will not leave you.”

• Elijah took off his cloak. He rolled it up and struck the Jordan River. The waters parted and the two men walked across on dry land.

• Then Elijah asked, “What can I do for you before I am taken away?”

• Elisha wanted to teach people about God, like Elijah did.• “If you see me taken away, you will be given what you ask,”

Elijah said.• Suddenly, the heavens opened. A chariot pulled by horses

swooped down. It looked like it was on fire. The burning chariot carried Elijah away to heaven.

• Elisha never saw his friend again. But his prayer was answered. He taught people about God, just like Elijah did.

THE STORY OF GOD’S VISION• What a wonderful promise that we have a home in heaven! Do

you wonder what it will be like? Jesus said that heaven is a perfect home with room for everyone. He told us that he would get heaven ready for us. Then, God showed a vision of heaven to John.

• John was a disciple of Jesus. He loved to share the good news of Jesus with others. Some people didn’t like that, so they arrested John. As punishment, he was sent to live all alone on an island.

• Jesus sent an angel to comfort John. He showed John what heaven is like. John saw people from all over the Earth gath-ered around God’s throne. There was a bright rainbow and sparkling jewels. There were streets of gold and gates made of pearls. The people worshiped God, singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.”

• Someday we will all get to see heaven. It will be beautiful and perfect. There will be no sadness, or sickness, or death. The tree of life will grow there. God the Father and Jesus the Son will be there. We won’t need a sun or a moon because God’s glory will shine brighter than the sun! All who believe in Jesus will live with him and worship him forever.

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL 5

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 will heaven 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)• 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: Coffee Filter Color Art (15 min)

Supplies: Newspapers or paper towels, white coffee filters, washable mark-ers, small paintbrushes or spray bottles, water, permanent marker, pen

Teacher Prep: Cover tables with newspaper or paper towels.

• SAY, Wow, can you imagine how beautiful heaven will be, with gold and rainbows and sparkling jewels? What colors do you think there will be? (Take responses)

• CONTINUE, We’re going to make a colorful craft to remind us of our beautiful home in heaven with God.

• GIVE each child a coffee filter.• USE the pen to write each child’s name or initials on the back of his or

her coffee filter.• INSTRUCT the children to use markers to color on the filter. They

may scribble or try patterns of lines, dots, circles, etc.• INSTRUCT the children to add a bit of water (using paintbrushes or

spray bottles). They will be amazed as the colors spread and blend!• CONTINUE as time allows, setting wet projects aside to dry.

Option 2: Sparkling Rainbow (15 min)

Supplies: Sparkling Rainbow template, tape, self-stick jewels (available in craft stores), blindfold

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL 6

Teacher Prep: Print and enlarge the Sparkling Rainbow template and then cut it out.

• TAPE the blank Sparkling Rainbow template to a wall in an open area.• LINE up the children facing the rainbow, standing side by side.• SAY, Here on Earth, it’s hard to imagine the glory in heaven. John

wrote that a wall that is like a glittering rainbow made of millions of colorful jewels surrounds heaven. We’re going to do our best to see what that might look like.

• INSTRUCT the first child to choose a jewel. Help peel the backing off.• PLACE the blindfold on the child. Help the child to spin around twice,

then head in the direction of the rainbow, feeling for the rainbow to stick a jewel on it.

• REMOVE the blindfold and have the child return to the line of children.• CONTINUE in this fashion until each child has had at least one turn to

place a jewel on the rainbow.

Option 3: Awesome God (10 min)• INSTRUCT the children to sit in a circle.• LEAD them in several rounds of “Our God Is an Awesome God,” includ-

ing the hand motions. You can sing the melody or just speak the words.

Our God is an awesome God. (point up, thumbs-up, point up)He reigns from heaven above (raise hands to heaven, look up)With wisdom, power, and love. (point to temples, flex biceps, cross arms

over chest)Our God is an awesome God. (point up, thumbs-up, point up)

“Our God Is an Awesome God,” by Rich Mullins© 1988 by BMG Songs, Inc.

CCL#41099

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.

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL 7

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

“Oh, You Can’t Get to Heaven,” public domain

“Awesome God,” (use with Option 3 or on its own) by Rich Mullins© 1988 by BMG Songs, Inc.

CCLI #41099

Option 6: Act It Out (10 min)

Where Is Your Home?

The characters in this script can be played by two puppets or by a teacher, class helper, or student leader.

Characters

Cat or dog a boy or girlMary a young girl

Props

One or more puppetsID tag with name and street addressA cross necklaceA stuffed cat or dog with ID collar

Cat: Meow! Meow!

Mary: Hey, look. It’s a kitten. Who here likes cats? (pauses briefly for responses) Me too.

Mary: Aw, this one looks like it’s lost. How would you feel if your cat was lost? (pauses briefly for responses)

Mary: I wish I could help this cat find his home, but I don’t know where he lives. What can I do? (pauses briefly for responses)

Mary: Good idea! He is wearing a name tag! I can look at it and read his address. Then I can help get him home or call the owners. Look, his name is Cookie! (motions from name tag toward audience) This reminds me of something I do at school. Have any of you been to school? (pauses briefly for responses)

Mary: Well, I take my backpack to school. Do any of you take a backpack to

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL 8

school? (pauses briefly for responses) My mom gave me this ID tag to put in the pocket of my backpack. (show ID tag) It has my address on it so if I lose my backpack, someone who finds it would know who it belongs to and where to return it. What do you think would happen if someone found my lost backpack but didn’t know who it belonged to? (pauses briefly for responses)

Mary: The tag in my backpack is kind of like the ID tag on this kitten! Do you want to see another ID tag I wear? (pauses briefly for responses)

Mary: This is my cross necklace. It shows that I believe in Jesus. It also means that I have a home in heaven. I’m not sure what the address is, but I know I have a home there. What do you think my home in heaven looks like? (pauses briefly for responses)

Mary: My necklace is just a reminder. Even when I’m not wearing it, I still know that God has a special place for me with him in heaven, and there’s no way I can get lost on the way. Time to get this kitten home now!

STEP 4 | Going Home (5 min)

Supplies: Family Page (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 beautiful 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

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL | Sparkling Rainbow Template

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL

[Coloring page to come]

Let’s Color! Name:

LESSON 10: Eternity | 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 verses from your Bible to help your child remem-ber it. Use the Table Talk questions below to start a discussion around the dinner 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 idea provides interactive ways for your child to connect with the story.

Table Talk

1. What do you think happens after people grow very old and die? 2. What do you think heaven is like? What does it look like? What do

people do all day? 3. What’s something you want to say to God or do together when you

see him face-to-face in heaven?

Living Faith

Option 1The story of Elijah and Elisha is a fun one to act out if your child has a younger sibling or friend who loves to follow his or her every move! Dress your actors in Bible-era clothing, being sure to give Elijah a cloak. Set up three areas to represent Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan River. If weather permits, use as much space as you can outdoors and incorporate water for the Jordan River. Reenact the three times that God commanded Elijah to go somewhere, Elijah

LESSON 10: Eternity | PRESCHOOL

told Elisha to stay behind, and Elisha followed anyway. There will be another “copycat” moment when Elijah and then Elisha strike the water with their cloak. Have Elijah make his final getaway on a bike (to represent the chariot).

Option 2Use the Internet to look up images and information about chariots, as your child probably doesn’t know much, if anything, about them. Draw a picture with your child of a chariot and decorate it together.

Extra Mile

• Practice these simple hand motions with your child. Sing along to the song “Awesome God.”

Our God is an awesome God. (point up, thumbs-up, point up)He reigns from heaven above (raise hands to heaven, look up)With wisdom, power, and love. (point to temples, flex biceps, cross

arms over chest)Our God is an awesome God. (point up, thumbs-up, point up)

• Does your child know your address and phone number? This is an important safety skill. As you practice reciting your earthly address together, also practice reciting your heavenly address. Have your child tell you how to get to heaven and describe what it looks like.

• When someone you know dies, help your child to remember the won-derful home in heaven that God has for that person. Create a sympathy card to give to the family, allowing your child to decorate it with bright colors, gold foil, glitter, and stick-on jewels. You may even want to spend a “craft day” preparing several cards to keep on hand.

• Your child will love helping with this heavenly snack idea. Cut celery into small sections and spread with peanut butter or cream cheese. Use the peanut butter or cream cheese to attach two pretzel “wings” to the sides and a yellow Froot Loops “halo” to the top.