Small Group Guide for Families with Young Children
Ready or Not: Living in Light of Jesus’ Return
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Big Idea:
Jesus is coming back one day. We do not know when, so we should be ready by trusting Him, obeying Him, and living like children of the light.
Ice Breaker:
Hide and Seek Question
Have you ever played hide and seek?
When the person counting says, “Ready or not, here I come!” how do you feel?
- Excited?
- Nervous?
- Happy?
- Surprised?
Jesus told us He will come back one day. We do not know when, but we can be ready by loving and following Him.
Read the Bible
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 together.
Discussion Questions
I. Jesus Will Come Back When People Do Not Expect It
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
Bro. Neil talked about how Jesus’ return will surprise many people. Paul said it will be like a thief coming at night or like a baby being born when labor pains begin.
Questions for Kids
1. Have you ever been surprised by something?
What happened?
2. Why do you think Jesus tells us that He is coming back, but does not tell us exactly when?
3. Paul says some people think they are safe without God.
What are some things people might trust instead of God?
Examples:
- Money
- Being popular
- Being strong
- Having lots of stuff
- Thinking, “I can do whatever I want”
4. Is Jesus’ return something His followers should be afraid of or excited about? Why?
II. Live Like Children of the Light
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8
Paul says Christians are “children of the light.” That means we belong to Jesus and should live in a way that pleases Him.
Questions for Kids
1. What are some things light helps us do?
Examples:
- See where we are going
- Stay safe
- Find things
- Not be afraid in the dark
2. What do you think it means to live like a child of the light?
Examples:
- Tell the truth
- Be kind
- Obey God
- Help others
- Say sorry when we sin
- Forgive people
- Love Jesus
3. What are some things that are like “darkness”?
Examples:
- Lying
- Being mean
- Disobeying parents
- Cheating
- Hating others
- Being selfish
- Pretending to follow Jesus but not really loving Him
4. Paul says to “be alert.” That means to stay awake spiritually and pay attention to God.
What are some things that can distract us from Jesus?
Examples:
- Too much screen time
- Wanting our own way
- Bad friends
- Being too busy
- Forgetting to pray
- Not listening to the Bible
5. Paul says to put on faith, love, and hope like armor.
How can faith, love, and hope help us during the day?
III. Jesus Saves His People
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
Paul says God did not choose His people for wrath but for salvation through Jesus. That means everyone who trusts in Jesus is safe with Him.
Questions for Kids
1. What did Jesus do to save us?
Answer: Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again.
2. Can we save ourselves by being really good?
Answer: No. Only Jesus can save us.
3. If we belong to Jesus, should we be scared that He is coming back?
Answer: No. We can be ready and joyful because Jesus loves us and saved us.
4. Verse 11 says to encourage one another.
What does it mean to encourage someone?
5. Who is one person you can encourage this week?
Practical Applications for Kids and Families
Choose one or two to do this week.
1. Ask: Am I Following Jesus?
As a family, talk about this question:
“Am I trusting Jesus and following Him, or am I just pretending?”
If a child has questions about salvation, take time to talk and pray with them.
2. Practice Living in the Light
Each day this week, choose one way to live like a child of the light.
Examples:
- Tell the truth.
- Obey the first time.
- Be kind to a sibling.
- Pray before school.
- Help someone without being asked.
- Say sorry when you do wrong.
- Forgive someone.
3. Put on God’s Armor
Before school or before starting the day, pray:
“God, help me trust You today. Help me love others today. Help me remember that Jesus saved me and is coming back. Amen.”
4. Watch for Spiritual Sleepiness
Talk about one thing that makes it hard to follow Jesus.
Examples:
- Anger
- Laziness
- Too much TV or games
- Wanting to fit in
- Not wanting to obey
- Forgetting to pray
Ask God to help you stay awake and alert spiritually.
5. Encourage Someone
This week, encourage one person.
You could say:
- “Jesus loves you.”
- “I’m thankful for you.”
- “You did a great job.”
- “I’m praying for you.”
- “God can help you.”
- “Thank you for being kind.”
Family Activity
Ready or Not Game
Play a quick game of hide and seek.
After the game, ask:
1. What did the seeker say before coming?
“Ready or not, here I come!”
2. Did everyone know exactly when they would be found?
3. How is that like Jesus coming back?
Then remind children:
Jesus is coming back one day. We do not know when, but we can be ready by trusting Him and living for Him.
Memory Verse for the Week
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
Ready or Not: Living in Light of Jesus’ Return
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Big Idea:
Jesus is coming back one day. We do not know when, so we should be ready by trusting Him, obeying Him, and living like children of the light.
Ice Breaker:
Hide and Seek Question
Have you ever played hide and seek?
When the person counting says, “Ready or not, here I come!” how do you feel?
- Excited?
- Nervous?
- Happy?
- Surprised?
Jesus told us He will come back one day. We do not know when, but we can be ready by loving and following Him.
Read the Bible
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 together.
Discussion Questions
I. Jesus Will Come Back When People Do Not Expect It
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
Bro. Neil talked about how Jesus’ return will surprise many people. Paul said it will be like a thief coming at night or like a baby being born when labor pains begin.
Questions for Kids
1. Have you ever been surprised by something?
What happened?
2. Why do you think Jesus tells us that He is coming back, but does not tell us exactly when?
3. Paul says some people think they are safe without God.
What are some things people might trust instead of God?
Examples:
- Money
- Being popular
- Being strong
- Having lots of stuff
- Thinking, “I can do whatever I want”
4. Is Jesus’ return something His followers should be afraid of or excited about? Why?
II. Live Like Children of the Light
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8
Paul says Christians are “children of the light.” That means we belong to Jesus and should live in a way that pleases Him.
Questions for Kids
1. What are some things light helps us do?
Examples:
- See where we are going
- Stay safe
- Find things
- Not be afraid in the dark
2. What do you think it means to live like a child of the light?
Examples:
- Tell the truth
- Be kind
- Obey God
- Help others
- Say sorry when we sin
- Forgive people
- Love Jesus
3. What are some things that are like “darkness”?
Examples:
- Lying
- Being mean
- Disobeying parents
- Cheating
- Hating others
- Being selfish
- Pretending to follow Jesus but not really loving Him
4. Paul says to “be alert.” That means to stay awake spiritually and pay attention to God.
What are some things that can distract us from Jesus?
Examples:
- Too much screen time
- Wanting our own way
- Bad friends
- Being too busy
- Forgetting to pray
- Not listening to the Bible
5. Paul says to put on faith, love, and hope like armor.
How can faith, love, and hope help us during the day?
III. Jesus Saves His People
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
Paul says God did not choose His people for wrath but for salvation through Jesus. That means everyone who trusts in Jesus is safe with Him.
Questions for Kids
1. What did Jesus do to save us?
Answer: Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again.
2. Can we save ourselves by being really good?
Answer: No. Only Jesus can save us.
3. If we belong to Jesus, should we be scared that He is coming back?
Answer: No. We can be ready and joyful because Jesus loves us and saved us.
4. Verse 11 says to encourage one another.
What does it mean to encourage someone?
5. Who is one person you can encourage this week?
Practical Applications for Kids and Families
Choose one or two to do this week.
1. Ask: Am I Following Jesus?
As a family, talk about this question:
“Am I trusting Jesus and following Him, or am I just pretending?”
If a child has questions about salvation, take time to talk and pray with them.
2. Practice Living in the Light
Each day this week, choose one way to live like a child of the light.
Examples:
- Tell the truth.
- Obey the first time.
- Be kind to a sibling.
- Pray before school.
- Help someone without being asked.
- Say sorry when you do wrong.
- Forgive someone.
3. Put on God’s Armor
Before school or before starting the day, pray:
“God, help me trust You today. Help me love others today. Help me remember that Jesus saved me and is coming back. Amen.”
4. Watch for Spiritual Sleepiness
Talk about one thing that makes it hard to follow Jesus.
Examples:
- Anger
- Laziness
- Too much TV or games
- Wanting to fit in
- Not wanting to obey
- Forgetting to pray
Ask God to help you stay awake and alert spiritually.
5. Encourage Someone
This week, encourage one person.
You could say:
- “Jesus loves you.”
- “I’m thankful for you.”
- “You did a great job.”
- “I’m praying for you.”
- “God can help you.”
- “Thank you for being kind.”
Family Activity
Ready or Not Game
Play a quick game of hide and seek.
After the game, ask:
1. What did the seeker say before coming?
“Ready or not, here I come!”
2. Did everyone know exactly when they would be found?
3. How is that like Jesus coming back?
Then remind children:
Jesus is coming back one day. We do not know when, but we can be ready by trusting Him and living for Him.
Memory Verse for the Week
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10