Welcome!
What is the hardest thing you ever had to wait for?
Sunday school · Ages 7–9
Hope: stay awake for God’s light
Mark 13:24–37; Isaiah 64:1–9
Mainline Christian
Welcome each child by name. Ask the question and let two or three children answer. Say: Today we start a season of waiting. It is called Advent.
It’s Advent!
Advent is four Sundays of waiting. We get ready for Christmas.
The candle of hope
Hope means something good is coming, even before we can see it.
Jesus talked with his friends.
They asked, “When will these things be?”
God’s light will shine.
Even on the darkest day, God will gather God’s people from near and far.
Who knows when?
No one knows the day or the hour. Only God knows.
A man went on a trip.
He gave each helper a job. The doorkeeper had to watch the door.
When will he come home?
In the evening? At midnight? When the rooster crows? In the morning?
Jesus said, “Watch!”
“What I tell you, I tell all: Watch!”
Mark 13:37
God’s people waited long ago.
A prophet prayed, “Oh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down.”
We are the clay.
“We are the clay and you our potter. We all are the work of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8
Jesus brings God’s light.
We wait for Christmas, when we remember that Jesus was born.
I wonder…
I wonder what the doorkeeper did all night long.
I wonder…
I wonder what you are hoping for this Advent.
Question 1 of 7
What does the word Advent mean?
Advent means coming. We get ready to remember that Jesus came.
Question 2 of 7
What job did the doorkeeper have?
The man told the doorkeeper to watch for him to come home.
Question 3 of 7
When would the man come home?
He might come in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.
Question 4 of 7
What one word did Jesus say to everyone?
Jesus said, “What I tell you, I tell all: Watch!”
Question 5 of 7
Isaiah said we are like clay. Who is the potter?
Isaiah prayed, “We are the clay and you our potter.”
Question 6 of 7
What do many churches call the first Advent candle?
Hope means we know something good is coming.
Question 7 of 7
Why do we wait with hope in Advent?
Jesus brings God’s light and love to everyone. Good news is worth the wait!
Great job!
You finished all 7 questions.
Our memory verse
“Watch, keep alert, and pray.”
Mark 13:33
Make an Advent wreath
- Tear green paper into leaves.
- Glue the leaves all around your paper ring.
- Glue on four paper candles.
- Write HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE on the candles.
- Glue a yellow flame on the HOPE candle.
Keep awake!
- Evening: yawn and stretch.
- Midnight: rest your head on your hands.
- Rooster: flap your arms and crow.
- Morning: reach up for the sun.
- Knock, knock! Jump up and shout, “Welcome home!”
Let’s pray
Dear God, help us wait with hope. Help us stay awake for your light. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Speaker notes