W/c 28th November

Our reading this week is: Matthew 24:36-44

Only God Knows When the Time Will Be

³⁶ “No one knows when that day or time will be. The Son and the angels in heaven don’t know when it will be. Only the Father knows.

³⁷ “When the Son of Man comes, it will be the same as what happened during Noah’s time. ³⁸ In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married right up to the day Noah entered the boat. ³⁹ They knew nothing about what was happening until the flood came and destroyed them all.

“It will be the same when the Son of Man comes. ⁴⁰ Two men will be working together in the field. One will be taken and the other will be left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding grain with a mill. One will be taken and the other will be left.

⁴² “So always be ready. You don’t know the day your Lord will come. ⁴³ What would a homeowner do if he knew when a thief was coming? You know he would be ready and not let the thief break in. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready. The Son of Man will come at a time when you don’t expect him.

Prayer for the week:

Dear God,
Waiting when you don't know when the waiting will end can be very difficult.
Help us to be patient and make good use of the time when we have to wait.
Maranatha.

In School:

We were thinking about waiting. Christians have entered a period of waiting now - Advent. 

There are two types of waiting. The first is where you know when the waiting will end. This is like Christians at Advent. 

The second is when you don't know when the waiting will end. This is like Christians waiting for Jesus to come again. 

Christians believe that when Jesus lived and taught about 2000 years ago, he said he would come again. But he didn't say when he would come again. In fact, he said he didn't know when he would come again. However, he did tell his followers to be ready. 

Christians believe it has been about 2000 years since Jesus came and he still hasn't come back. It might be another 2000 years before he comes back or it might be tomorrow. Nobody knows when it will be except God. To help prepare they pray and they spread the word of God and Jesus. 

A short prayer that can be used is Maranatha which means 'come, Lord Jesus'. 

Questions to think about at home: 

Can you think of a time when you weren't ready in time for something? How did it make you feel?

How are you preparing for Christmas? What do you need to do?

How do you think Christians 'get ready' for Jesus' return?