The City Eternal, by Keith Larson

December 25–31

Revelation 15–22

“He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things”

As you prepare to teach, draw upon your experience studying Revelation 15–22 personally or with your family. What stood out to you? What impressions did you receive? Remember that all the activities suggested in this outline can be adapted for children of any age.

Invite Sharing

Invite the children to share why they want to live with Heavenly Father again. Throughout the lesson, help them look for things they can do to prepare to return to Him.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Revelation 15:2–4

I can praise God by singing.

The Saints John described in Revelation 15:2–4 sang praises to God for His goodness. What songs of praise can help the children express their love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Possible Activities

• As you read aloud parts of Revelation 15:2–4, ask the children to do actions like pretending to play a harp or direct a choir. How do we feel when we sing about Jesus?

• Ask the children to share some of their favorite songs about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Sing a few of the songs together, and help the children understand what the songs teach us about Heavenly Father and the Savior.

Revelation 19:7

I can prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ by choosing the right.

How can you help the children understand that the Second Coming will be a joyful event for us if we follow Jesus’s commandments?

Possible Activities

• Ask the children if they have ever been to a wedding. What was it like? Why are people happy at a wedding? Display the picture of the Savior’s Second Coming in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families, and read Revelation 19:7. Explain that the “marriage of the Lamb” represents the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Why will we rejoice when the Savior comes again? Help the children compare the joy of a wedding to the joy of the Savior’s return.

• Share with the children why you are looking forward to Jesus’s Second Coming. You could also sing together a song about the Second Coming, such as “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, 82–83).

• Invite the children to share what they do to get ready for church on Sunday. Why do we do these things before we come to church? Why should we prepare for Christ’s Second Coming? On this week’s activity page, let the children draw what they can do to prepare for the Second Coming.

Revelation 21:1, 3–4, 22–27; 22:1–2

Heavenly Father wants me to live with Him in the celestial kingdom.

In the last two chapters of Revelation, John used beautiful language to describe the celestial glory that the faithful will enjoy.

Possible Activities

• Help the children draw the tree described in Revelation 22:2 on the board. Explain that this tree is the tree of life, and its fruit represents the love of God (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22). Give the children pieces of paper shaped like fruit, and invite them to draw on the paper something that helps them feel Heavenly Father’s love. Explain that those who love and obey Heavenly Father will live with Him in the celestial kingdom.

• Share with the children some images or details that John used to describe celestial glory (see Revelation 21:1, 3–4, 22–27; 22:1–2), and invite the children to draw pictures of these things.

• Sing together a song that teaches how we can prepare to return to God’s presence, such as “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (Children’s Songbook, 164–65). Invite the children to identify what they can do to live with Heavenly Father again.

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Revelation 19:7–8

I can prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ by choosing the right.

How can you help the children you teach understand that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be a joyous event for the righteous?

Possible Activities

• Read together Revelation 19:7–8, and help the children understand the symbolism in these verses—the marriage is the Savior’s Second Coming, the Lamb is the Savior, and His wife is the Church (or all of us). What things might we do to prepare for the Savior to come again?

• Review and memorize Articles of Faith 1:10 with the children. Explain that this article of faith describes exciting, glorious events that will happen when Jesus comes again. Display the picture of Jesus’s Second Coming in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families, and invite the children to draw what they think Jesus’s Second Coming will be like.

Revelation 20:12–13

I will be judged by God.

All of us will one day stand before God to be judged. You can help the children understand that His judgment will be just, fair, and merciful.

Possible Activities

• Write on the board What will Judgment Day be like? Invite the children to look for answers to the question in Revelation 20:12–13 and in “Judgment, the Last” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What has the Savior done so that Judgment Day can be a joyful day? (see Articles of Faith 1:3–4). What can we do so that it is a joyful day for us?

  

  The Last Judgement, by John Scott

• Bring to class a notebook representing the “book of life” (Revelation 20:12), in which you have written some of the Christlike attributes and good works of the children in your class. Read to the children the things you wrote, and invite them to talk about Christlike qualities they have seen in each other. Share your testimony that Jesus Christ helps us become more like Him and provides a way for us to repent and overcome sin.

Revelation 21:1, 3–4, 22–27; 22:1–2, 17

Heavenly Father wants me to live with Him in the celestial kingdom.

As you read John’s description of celestial glory in Revelation 21–22, what stands out to you? What do you feel inspired to share with the children you teach?

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to search the following verses for words or phrases that John used to describe celestial glory: Revelation 21:1, 3–4, 22–27; 22:1–2. Let them choose something in these verses that they would like to draw. Then they can talk about their drawings with the class. Encourage them to show their drawings to their families at home.

• Read together Revelation 22:17, and explain that the bride who says “Come” is the Church. Who do we, as Church members, want to invite others to “come” to? (see Moroni 10:30–33). What might those around us be “thirsty” for? What are some good ways to invite people to “come”?

Encourage Learning at Home

Help the children prepare to read the Book of Mormon next year by inviting them to ask a family member or friend to share a favorite verse or story from the Book of Mormon.

Improving Our Teaching

Teach children to record impressions. If children can learn the habit of recording impressions, it will help them recognize and follow the Spirit. Children can record impressions by marking scriptures, drawing pictures, or making simple journal entries. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 30.)