Here are Three Weeks of simple Kindergarten-age activities we used to help them understand Jesus' Second Coming and the New Jerusalem. 

Week One

STORY: A Dream of Heaven (Jesus Storybook Bible pg. 342) 

Supplies: 

• "The Jesus Storybook Bible", by Sally Lloyd-Jones, Zonderkidz, 9780310708254.
   

Questions:

1. Where did the Very Religious Leaders put John to stop him from telling people about Jesus? In a prison cell on the island of Patmos.
2. What did John see in the dream Jesus gave him? People bowing to a king on a throne, the holy city of Jerusalem with streets of gold, gates made out of pearl, and a crystal-like river.
3. Why did Jesus want John to know the secret about the future? So that people could stay strong in their faith and wait with much excitement for the day Jesus will return.
4. Why does God want to start over and make everything new? Because then the world will be without sin and we can be close to God once again.
5. Why didn’t John write “The End” at the end of the Bible? Because the story isn’t over. Jesus will return to take us to heaven very soon.
    

Activity #1: CRAFT - Story Pictures

Supplies:

• storyboards
• pencils
• crayons
• colored pencils
  
  

Instructions: 
Each kid will receive a storyboard with six panels to draw pictures from the story. Each panel is labeled with a picture for them to draw:

• Jesus, the King, sitting on a throne.
• People bowing down to Jesus (on the throne).
• People giving their treasures to Jesus.
• People cheering and clapping; singing a new song.
• Satan thrown into a lake of fire.
• A sparkling city coming down from heaven.

Activity #2:  GAME - The Jewels of Heaven 

Supplies:

• poster board picture of heaven
• jewels (need to be peel & stick)
• blindfold
  
  

Game Instructions:

1. Much like the game, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, kids will take turns pinning the jewels on the walls of heaven while they are blindfolded.
2. The walls of heaven will be drawn on a piece of poster board which will be hung up in the classroom.
3. Blindfold the children, spin them around, and let them try to stick the jewels onto the walls of heaven.

Week Two

STORY: Jesus is Coming Again (The Story for Children pg. 282) 

Questions:

• Why did Jesus give John visions of heaven? To share with churches so that they would stay strong and true in their faith in Jesus.
• What did John see in the dream Jesus gave him? The holy city of Jerusalem with streets of gold, gates made out of pearl, and a crystal-like river; the great tree of life from the Garden of Eden will grow in the middle of the city.
• What will not exist in heaven? What will we not have in heaven? No more tears, no more death, no more crying, no more pain.
• Why does God want to start over and make everything new? Because then the world will be without sin and we can be close to God once again.

Activity #1: How Do I Get Into Heaven Knock Knock 

Supplies: 

• extra adult
• room with a door
• blank cards or pre-cut cardstock

Preparation:

• write up 16 cards (see list below)

16 Cards to read: I read my Bible; I go to church; I am a nice person; I give away my stuff to people who need it more; I do my best in school to get good grades; I pray everyday; I have Christian parents; I make good choices; I treat other people with kindness; I don’t say bad words; I help my mom with chores around the house; I bring a quarter to church every Sunday; I have been baptized; I memorize Bible verses; I follow the 10 Commandments; I obey my parents; I don’t hit my brothers or sisters.

Instructions:

1. Kids will be given a card (from the 16).
2. Have kids knock on the classroom door from the inside.
3. An adult will open it from the outside and ask, “Why should you get into heaven?”
4. The child will answer using what’s written on their card.
5. If the kids given the correct response, “I believe in Jesus,” they can pass through the door; if they give a different response, the adult will say, “I’m sorry, that’s not how you get into heaven.”  This time around none of the children will have the correct answer.
6. Once all of the kids have had a turn at giving their responses, explain that all of their responses were good things that we should do while we’re on Earth, but none of those will get us into heaven. The only thing that can get us into heaven is believing in Jesus Christ.
7. This time, have kids line up at the door again, knock, and when asked, “Why should you get into heaven?” they will respond with, “Because I believe in Jesus.” Then they can pass through the door to the other side.

Activity #2: Building the New City of Jerusalem 

Supplies:

• wooden blocks - assorted shapes
• gold coloured - paper or fun foam
• blue coloured - paper of fun foam
• anything else you can think of to help the kids build their New Jerusalem

Directions:

1. Kids will build the new city of Jerusalem based on what they remember from the story:

Depending on the number of kids, you could have them all work together on this project, or have one group at each table working on their project.

Week Three

STORY: A Dream of Heaven (Jesus Storybook Bible pg. 342) 

Questions:

• Where did the Very Religious Leaders put John to stop him from telling people about Jesus? In a prison cell on the island of Patmos.
• What did John see in the dream Jesus gave him? People bowing to a king on a throne, the holy city of Jerusalem with streets of gold, gates made out of pearl, and a crystal-like river.
• Why did Jesus want John to know the secret about the future? So that people could stay strong in their faith and wait with much excitement for the day Jesus will return.
• Why does God want to start over and make everything new? Because then the world will be without sin and we can be close to God once again.
• Why didn’t John write “The End” at the end of the Bible? Because the story isn’t over. Jesus will return to take us to heaven very soon.

Activity #1:  SNACK - The New Jerusalem 

Supplies:

• graham crackers
• marshmallow crÈme
• assorted small candy
• pretzels sticks
• apple juice
• cups
  
  

Directions: 
Celebrate the New Jerusalem with a party!

1. For the walls: use marshmallow crÈme to hold the graham cracker walls together while you build a square city wall.
2. For the gates: place marshmallow crÈme on the graham crackers and place the pretzel sticks on top of the crÈme to create the gates.
3. Add small candies to the walls as gems to make the city shine.
4. Serve apple juice to represent the streets of gold.
5. Once the city walls have been created, kids can dig in and eat.

Emphasize that the only way to live in the New Jerusalem is by believing in Jesus. Then celebrate because it’s going to be a great day when Jesus comes back!

Activity #2:  CRAFT - Decorate Crowns 

Supplies:

• crowns (could be cut from cardstock or funfoam)
• peel & stick jewels
  
  

Directions:

1. Kids will decorate their own crowns as they continue to celebrate the New Jerusalem.
2. Jewels will be provided for decoration.

Enjoy!
Ashley

Activities from Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church,
Inman, KS