Lesson 21: Joseph Smith Matthew 1; Matthew 25; Mark 12-13; Luke 21
"The Son of Man Shall Come"
Materials: Signs of the second coming handout, Vide: "They that are wise" (link below), scavenger hunt handout, The following items prepared for scavenger hunt (scriptures, President Nelson's picture, church clothes, picture of the temple, pillow, water bottle, broom)
Opening Song: "I Wonder When He Comes Again" (Children's Songbook, 82)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: JSM 1: 37 "And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
Attention Activity:
Show a picture of an oil lamp from New Testament times like the one below. Explain people put oil in their lamps to act as fuel for the flame. When people did not have oil in their lamps, they did not have any light. What is light symbolic for? We've talked about how light is a symbol for the light of Christ or the light of the gospel. Today, we are going to talk about how we each need to have our lights ready with oil for the Savior's second coming.
Lesson:
Before Jesus died, he told his disciples that he would come again at the end of the world. This is what is called the second coming. The second coming hasn't happened yet, but Jesus told us some signs to watch for. Whenever Christ mentions his "elect" he's talking about us, the disciples of Christ in the latter-days.
Have the following handout printed, cut out, and place each card face down in front of your family. Have each family member take turns flipping over a card. Explain what the card means and discuss if that sign has come to pass, is coming to pass, or has yet to happen.
Other prophets also spoke of signs of the second coming like the Restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. When all these signs have been fulfilled, Jesus will come "in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." (JSM 1:36)
Read JSM 1: 48. Jesus wants us to be ready for the second coming. Jesus gave the parable of the 10 virigns to his disciples to emphasize how important it is to be be prepared for the second coming. Watch the video "They That Are Wise".
In this video their were 10 women who were waiting for the bridegroom, or the Savior. When he came, only 5 had enough oil in their lamps to meet with him; 5 did not. What happened to the 5 virgins who did not have enough oil? The oil is symbolic for us being prepared for the second coming of the Savior. Just like they did not have enough oil to make their lights shine, we need to make sure we are spiritually prepared with the light of the gospel to meet Christ when he comes again.
Activity:
Oil Scavenger Hunt
Have the following handout printed, cut out, and taped to each object listed at the top of the corresponding strip of paper.
How can we be prepared for the second coming? All around the house I have hidden clues which have drops of oil on them taped to things that will help us to be ready for the second coming of the Savior. Hold up a copy of the scriptures and let them see the first clue taped to the cover. Have them complete the scavenger hunt.
Bear your testimony of the second coming of Jesus Christ. He will come again "with power and great glory." We need to be prepared for His coming and ever watchful of the signs he and other prophets have given us.
Closing Song: "Israel, Israel, God is Calling" (Hymnal, 7)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment:
Ritz Rolos
