A special shout out to my friends from Proverbs 31 Ministries! Thanks for stopping by.
We know how to talk about Christmas with our kids, but maybe it’s harder to explain the coming of Christ again! Yet the Bible has much to say about the return of Christ and urges us to live in light of this glorious event.
We cannot (and should not) predict the time of Christ’s return, but we are encouraged to study prophecy. Did you know the book of Revelation is unique because it offers a blessing to those who read it?
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3
Here are a few key ideas you can talk about and/or illustrate with your kids about the coming of Christ:
It will be a surprise. It could happen at any time of day, any day of the year. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 says, “Now brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
It will be joyful. It will be more thrilling than a roller coaster, sweeter than a wish granted, and better than the best family reunion. 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 says “we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
It will be only for believers in Jesus. The coming of Christ will bring joy to believers but sorrow to unbelievers. 1 Thessalonians 5:3-5 says, “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that they day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”
You can tie in the return of Christ with events in your life to create teachable moments. For instance, if you attend a surprise birthday party, you can tell your kids, “This is similar to when Christ comes back! It will be a surprise. There will be a great shout. It will be a reunion and there will be a lot of joy!”
For your kids who would like it, you can pop out from a hiding spot to scare them. You can then make the point that Jesus will come when they aren’t expecting it, so we should always live ready for His return.
Want to go deeper in your own understanding of Christ’s coming? I highly recommend Dr. David Jeremiah’s series on prophecy, Escape the Coming Night.
