Lesson: Revelation 18:19 (Ages 9-11)

📖 Revelation 18:19 – Ages 9-11

Explanation

Imagine a big, bustling city where many people live and work. In this city, there were lots of ships that brought goods and made the people very rich. But one day, something terrible happened, and the city was destroyed in just one hour.

The verse talks about how the people in the city were very sad and upset. They put dust on their heads, which was a way of showing how much they were mourning and feeling deep despair. They cried out, saying "Woe, woe, the great city!" because they were so shocked and sad that their city was gone.

This story teaches us that even when we have a lot of nice things and money, it's important to remember that those things can't last forever. We should always be thankful for what we have and not put all our happiness in things that can disappear quickly.

Just like the people in the verse, we should be grateful for our blessings and remember that true happiness comes from things that last forever, like love, kindness, and faith in God.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, in a bustling city by the sea, there was a mischievous dolphin named Dizzy. Dizzy loved to play tricks on the ships that sailed by, making them zigzag and spin in the water.

One day, a powerful storm hit the city, causing chaos and destruction. The ships that once brought riches to the city were destroyed in just one hour. The people threw dust on their heads and cried out in sorrow, realizing their wealth was gone.

Dizzy, feeling guilty for his playful antics that may have contributed to the ships' misfortune, swam to the shore to apologize. The people forgave Dizzy, teaching him that our actions, even small ones, can have big consequences.

Dizzy learned an important lesson that day, understanding the true meaning of the verse "in a single hour she has been destroyed."

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for your love and protection. Help us remember that material wealth is not the most important thing. Help us to be grateful for what we have and to show kindness to others. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. How do you think the people in the verse felt when they threw dust on their heads and cried out in mourning?
2. Why do you think the great city was destroyed in just one hour?
3. What do you think the phrase "Woe, woe, the great city" means?
4. Can you think of a time when you felt deep sadness or despair like the people in this verse?
5. How do you think the people who lost their wealth felt after the destruction of the great city?

Life Application

Revelation 18:19 is a part of a vision where people are very sad and upset because a great city, which they relied on for wealth and riches, has been destroyed very quickly. This teaches us about the danger of putting too much trust in things like money or material possessions, which can disappear quickly.

For a child aged 9-11, here's how you can apply this message in real life:

1. **Value Relationships Over Things:** Remember that friendships and family are more important than toys or gadgets. If you ever feel upset because something you own is lost or broken, think about how much more valuable your friends and family are.

2. **Be Grateful for What You Have:** It's easy to want more toys or clothes, but this verse reminds us that those things can go away. Instead, be thankful for what you have and cherish the people and experiences that bring you joy.

3. **Help Others:** Notice how people in the verse are mourning because they lost their wealth. You can help others by sharing and being kind, especially if they are sad or need support. This shows that you care more about people than things.

4. **Stay Humble:** If you have nice things or are good at something, remember to stay humble. It's great to enjoy what you have and celebrate what you can do, but always be ready to help others and not boast about what you have.

By focusing on these values, you can learn to trust in things that truly matter and won’t disappear, like kindness, love, and friendship.

Craft or Activity

One creative craft idea to help children understand and remember the message of Revelation 18:19 is to create a "Mourning Jar."

You can provide the children with small jars or containers and colored sand or glitter. Encourage them to layer the sand or glitter in the jar to represent the different elements of the verse. For example, they can use black sand to symbolize dust, blue sand to represent the sea, and gold glitter to symbolize wealth.

As they create their Mourning Jars, you can discuss the verse with them and talk about the significance of each element. Encourage the children to think about how the people in the verse felt and why they were mourning. This hands-on activity will help them engage with the verse in a tangible way and remember its message more effectively.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

When ships brought riches from afar,
The great city's wealth did raise the bar.
But in an hour, it met its end,
With dust on heads, they mourned and wailed, my friend!

Songs or Videos

A great Christian song that relates to the message of Revelation 18:19 is "This is My Father's World" by Amy Grant. This song reminds us that God is in control of the world and that we can find comfort and peace in Him even in times of destruction and mourning. Another wonderful song is "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe, which praises God's power and majesty as the ultimate ruler over all things, including the events described in Revelation. Both songs can help children understand the message of Revelation 18:19 and reflect on God's sovereignty in all circumstances.

📄 Download as PDF