Lesson: Revelation 8:3 (Ages 9-11)

📖 Revelation 8:3 – Ages 9-11

Explanation

In this verse from the book of Revelation, we learn about a special angel who stands at an altar in heaven. This angel is holding a golden incense burner, which is like a fancy pot where sweet-smelling smoke comes out when you burn special spices called incense.

The angel has a lot of incense to offer to God. Imagine this incense as a beautiful scent that represents the prayers of all the people who love and believe in Jesus. Just like how a lovely smell can make you feel happy and peaceful, these prayers are like a sweet fragrance to God.

The golden altar in front of God's throne is where the angel puts the incense and prayers. It's like a special place in heaven where our prayers are presented to God. It shows us that our prayers are valuable and precious to Him, just like a wonderful gift.

So, when you pray and talk to God, remember that your prayers are like sweet-smelling incense to Him. He loves to hear from you, and each prayer you say is like a beautiful scent rising up to God in heaven.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, in a magical forest, there lived a little squirrel named Sammy. Sammy loved to climb trees and collect acorns for his family. One day, he overheard the other animals talking about how prayers are like sweet incense to God.

Curious, Sammy decided to find out more. He scurried up to the tallest tree where an owl perched, wise and knowing. The owl explained, "Just like the angel in the Bible verse, our prayers are like sweet incense that pleases God."

Excited, Sammy ran back to his family and friends, telling them about prayers reaching God's heart like incense. From that day on, Sammy led the forest animals in prayer every evening, offering their hopes and thanks to God.

And just like the angel with the golden incense burner, Sammy and his friends knew that their prayers were a sweet fragrance to God, filling the forest with love and peace.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for listening to our prayers and accepting them like sweet incense. Help us to remember that our prayers are precious to You, just like the incense offered to You in Heaven. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. What did the angel in Revelation 8:3 have in his hands?
2. Who do you think the prayers mentioned in this verse are from?
3. Why do you think the prayers of believers are compared to incense in this verse?
4. Where was the golden altar located in front of in this verse?
5. How do you think our prayers are received by God according to this verse?

Life Application

In Revelation 8:3, we learn that our prayers are like sweet incense to God. Just like the angel offered incense with the prayers of believers, we can apply this by praying regularly and sincerely. Children aged 9-11 can pray for their families, friends, teachers, and even people in need. By praying, they can show their love for God and others. They can also learn to trust that God hears their prayers and cares for them, just like the angel offering incense before God's throne. So, children can apply this verse in their real life by making prayer a regular part of their day, knowing that their prayers are pleasing to God and can make a difference in the lives of those around them.

Craft or Activity

To help children understand Revelation 8:3, you can have them create their own "prayer incense burner." Provide them with small, clear containers (like baby food jars or small glass jars), which they can decorate with gold paint or gold stickers to represent the golden incense burner. Inside the jar, they can place a cotton ball scented with a drop of essential oil or perfume to represent the incense.

Encourage the children to write or draw prayers on small pieces of paper and place them inside the jar. As they add each prayer, they can say a prayer for the believers, just like the angel in Revelation offered the prayers of believers to God.

This hands-on activity will help children visualize the concept of their prayers being lifted up to God, just like the incense in the golden incense burner.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

Let's chant and sing, a special thing,
In Revelation 8:3 we bring,
An angel with a golden bowl,
Offering prayers to God, whole.
For believers in Christ, he prays,
On the golden altar, always.

Songs or Videos

A great Christian song for kids that relates to the message of Revelation 8:3 is "The Prayer" by Hillsong Kids. This song talks about how our prayers are like sweet incense to God when we pray with a sincere heart. Another wonderful song is "Sweet, Sweet Sound" by Sarah Reeves, which also highlights the beauty and importance of our prayers reaching God's throne like incense. Both of these songs can help children understand the significance of prayer and how it is received by God in heaven.

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