By Ariel
Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Focus keyphrase: Preparing for Jesus’ Return anchors this family lesson.
- Hope grows daily through prayer, Scripture, and small faithful choices.
- Prepared hearts carry “oil” — steady obedience, generosity, and kindness.
- Serving people serves Jesus; love becomes readiness in action.
- Comfort from God fuels courage to live with joy and purpose.
Hi friends! Ariel here! Today, I want to tell you about something amazing my family and I learned together from the Bible—Matthew 24:4–35. 📖
This part of the Bible talks about something BIG:
Jesus is coming back! 🎉
It’s not just about what will happen in the future. It’s also about how we should live right now—with faith, with hope, and with hearts that are always ready to shine. 💛
Jesus tells His disciples to be careful—not to get tricked by people who say things that aren’t true about Him. (This BGEA article clearly explains that Jesus’ return will be visible to all and affirms how we can discern truth.) That’s why it’s super important to stick close to God’s Word and know what Jesus really said. When we spend time reading the Bible and talking to God, we learn how to tell the truth from lies. 🕊️
He also talks about the signs of His return—like things happening in the world and in people’s hearts. But He says not to be scared. Why?
Because God has a plan, and He wants us to stay strong in our faith and keep loving others, no matter what!
Alice asked, “What if we don’t know when Jesus is coming?”
And Daddy said, “That’s the point—we don’t know when, so we live every day like it could be the day!”
That made me feel excited—not nervous! Because if we stay ready and full of love, Jesus’ return will be the happiest moment ever. 🌟
So how do we stay ready?
- Praying and listening to God
- Helping others and spreading kindness
- Sharing what we believe with love 💬
- Staying hopeful, even when things get tough
Download the Family Study PDF
Kid-friendly outline, discussion prompts, journal space, and a memory verse.
As we read through this awesome passage, let’s look for ways we can live with purpose and shine with hope every single day. 💡
Because the best part is this:
Jesus promised He’s coming back—and we get to be part of His amazing story. 💖
TL;DR:
Readiness looks like daily faithfulness. Oil for the journey means prayer, Scripture, and loving others. Serving people serves Jesus, and comfort from God gives joyful courage while we wait with hope.
The Mystery of the Future 🌙🎉🕊️
One peaceful evening, our whole family gathered in the living room. The moon was glowing like a silver lantern outside the window. It felt like the perfect time to talk about something BIG:
Jesus coming back!
I looked up and asked,
“Daddy, how will we know when Jesus is coming back?”
He gave me a thoughtful smile and said,
“Well, Jesus didn’t tell us the exact day or time—but He did give us some signs to watch for. More than that, He told us to always be ready and live every day like we’re expecting Him.”
Before I could say anything else, Alice jumped in with Mr. Fluffernutter in her lap and said,
“Oh! It’s like waiting for a surprise party! You don’t know when it’ll happen, but you stay excited and ready!” 🎈🎁
I smiled because she was totally right! Waiting for Jesus is just like that—it’s exciting! And every single day is a chance to get our hearts ready for the best celebration EVER!
Then Daddy said something that really made me think:
“Being ready doesn’t just mean watching for signs. It means living with love, kindness, and faith. Every kind word, every prayer, every time you help someone—that’s how you stay ready.”
Whoa. 💡
Alice asked again (because she always asks awesome questions),
“What does it mean to be with Jesus every day?”
Daddy said, “It means spending time with Him—praying, reading your Bible, and showing His love to others. Just like we spend time together as a family, Jesus wants to be close to us, too.”
That made me feel super cozy inside.
I realized that being ready doesn’t have to feel scary or hard. It’s actually really joyful!
Because when we live with love in our hearts, help others, and stay close to Jesus, we’re living with hope every single day. 🌟
So even though we don’t know when Jesus will come back, we DO know how to be ready:
- Live with kindness
- Spend time with God
- Help those around you
- And keep your heart full of hope 💖
Because the best surprise ever is coming—and we want to be ready to shout,
“We’re here, Jesus! We’ve been waiting for You!”
(Jesus’ resurrection gives us the best reason to hope for His return!)
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
Why does hope matter for readiness?
Hope fuels steady faith when circumstances feel uncertain and helps families keep loving, serving, and praying with joy.
The Signs of His Coming 🌍⚓💡
One day, while reading Matthew 24:8, I paused and asked,
“Yaya, why does Jesus talk about such hard things—like wars, earthquakes, and people turning away from Him? Shouldn’t we just think about the happy stuff?”
Yaya looked thoughtful and said gently,
“Jesus isn’t trying to scare us—He’s helping us stay awake and aware. These signs aren’t meant to make us afraid. They remind us to stay close to Him and trust His promises, no matter what’s happening around us.”
That made me feel better. 😊
Alice was sitting nearby, hugging Mr. Fluffernutter tightly, and whispered,
“So even if the world feels all stormy, Jesus is still with us?”
Yaya smiled and nodded,
“Yes, Alice. Imagine a big storm at sea—and right in the middle, Jesus is your anchor. He holds you steady. His love is like a lighthouse that helps guide you safely, even when it’s dark or scary.”
I loved that picture in my mind! 🕯️🌊
Yaya continued,
“Sometimes life feels wild, like waves crashing all around. But that’s when we hold onto our faith the tightest. These signs Jesus told us about aren’t meant to make us panic—they’re to help us prepare our hearts and encourage others too.”
She explained that sailors get ready for storms with maps, lights, and strong sails—and that we get ready with prayer, God’s Word, and love.
Alice asked, “So when stuff gets crazy, can I still help others find Jesus too?”
And Yaya said, “Absolutely. You can be the one who shares peace and hope when others are scared. That’s what Jesus wants—for us to be lights in the storm.”
That made us all smile.
So here’s what I learned:
- Jesus told us what signs to look for—not to scare us, but to help us stay ready 🕯️ (Jesus told us what signs to look for—not to scare us, but to help us stay ready. GotQuestions.org offers a thorough overview of those signs and what they mean for believers.)
- When hard things happen, we can trust Him to be our anchor ⚓
- And we can be the light that helps others find their way 💡
No matter what the world looks like, we don’t have to be afraid—because Jesus is right there with us, shining through the storm. 💛
Family Activity — “Lamp & Oil” Jar
- Label a clean jar “Oil for the Journey.”
- Cut small slips of paper.
- Write short actions (pray for a friend, share a snack, read a Psalm).
- Pull one slip daily and do it together.
Small choices brighten hope.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
What does “oil” represent here?
Steady habits that keep faith bright — prayer, Scripture, repentance, generosity, and service.
The Promise of His Return 🌤️🎺👑
One of the most amazing things Jesus promises in the Bible is this:
He’s coming back! 💖
In Matthew 24:30, Jesus says,
“Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven… and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
I couldn’t help it—I asked Daddy right away,
“Wait… what will that really be like? Will it be loud? Will everyone see Him?”
Daddy smiled big and said,
“Oh yes! It’ll be the most incredible moment ever! Jesus will come back in glory, and everyone will know—His return will bring joy, peace, and everything God has promised!”
Alice’s eyes lit up.
“I think He’ll ride down on a giant glowing cloud,” she said, hugging Mr. Fluffernutter.
“Maybe with angels flying and trumpets blasting!” 🎺🌈✨
That made all of us smile. I imagined the sky filling with light—clouds glowing, angels singing, and people everywhere looking up in awe.
It’ll be the best reunion in history.
All of us together, seeing Jesus face to face.
Daddy said something I won’t forget:
“Jesus’ return is more than just a moment. It’s a message. It means love wins, and hope is real, and every prayer we’ve ever whispered matters.”
Wow. 💛
And you know what? This promise isn’t just something way off in the future.
It’s a reminder to live with excitement and purpose right now.
That means:
- Loving others 💖
- Staying ready 🕯️
- Living every day like you’re expecting the best surprise ever 🎉
- And telling people about the amazing hope we have in Jesus!
The promise of Jesus’ return helps me shine brighter. It helps me smile bigger. It helps me choose love, even when it’s hard.
So let’s keep watching the skies—and shining His light on earth—because the greatest party ever is coming, and we want the whole world to be ready! 🌟👑🎉
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
How can kids serve this week?
Write encouragement notes, share snacks, help a sibling, and pray for someone lonely or sick.
The Call to Be Ready ⏰🕯️💛
At the end of the chapter, Jesus gives us a big challenge. He says:
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
(Matthew 24:42)
That made me think, so I asked Yaya,
“If we don’t know when Jesus is coming back… how can we stay ready all the time? Isn’t that kind of hard?”
Yaya smiled and said gently,
“Being ready doesn’t mean knowing when—it means living every day with love, kindness, and faith in your heart. Every time you show God’s love, pray, or help someone, you’re getting ready for Jesus!”
Then she added something I loved:
“It’s like getting ready for a surprise guest. If you knew someone super special was coming to visit, wouldn’t you keep your heart and home joyful and kind—just in case today was the day?”
Alice gasped, “Like if JESUS knocked on the door tomorrow?! I’d want everything to be sparkly and happy and full of love!”
Exactly. ✨
That’s what Jesus wants too—not for us to be scared, but to be excited!
To live with hearts wide open. To treat each day like the best gift ever. 🎁
So how do we stay ready?
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Wake up each day and talk to God 💬
- Look for ways to help and share His love 💖
- Be kind, even when it’s hard 🫂
- Smile with hope, because Jesus is coming! 😄
When we do those things, it’s like we’re keeping our lamp filled and our hearts glowing bright.
And the best part?
We can help others be ready too—by sharing what we know, shining His light, and being a walking, talking reminder that God’s love is REAL and STRONG and FOREVER. 🌟
Let’s live each day full of hope, like we’re waiting for the world’s most wonderful guest—because we are! And when He comes… we’ll be shining, smiling, and SO ready.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
How does hope help with grief?
Hope says love outlasts loss and God keeps promises — families grieve honestly while trusting reunion in Christ.
Living in Watchfulness 👀🕯️💛
So what does it really mean to be watchful while we wait for Jesus?
It’s not about staring out the window all day or waiting with a flashlight (although that would be fun 😄).
It’s about how we live our lives—with joy, purpose, and hearts full of love!
Here are 3 awesome ways to live like you’re watching for Jesus every day:
🙏 Stay Close to God
This one is super important.
Every time we pray, read our Bibles, or even just thank God for something good, we’re growing closer to Him. 💬📖
God’s Word is like a bright flashlight for our hearts—it helps us see clearly even when life gets a little dark.
Try this:
- Pray when you wake up ☀️
- Read a Bible verse before bed 🌙
- Write or draw something you’re thankful for in a journal 📓
The more time we spend with God, the brighter our lamps shine! 🕯️✨
💖 Serve Others
Want to do something amazing? Help someone!
When we:
- Share our snacks
- Cheer up a friend
- Help out at home
- Or make someone feel loved…
We are living like Jesus and showing the world what God’s love looks like.
Alice says, “Helping people fills your heart like a kindness battery!” 🔋💗
And guess what? That’s exactly how we keep our lamps full—with love in action!
🌟 Keep Watch
This one is about living with excitement and hope every day.
Jesus is coming back, and while we don’t know when, we do know He keeps His promises.
So we celebrate by:
- Smiling more 😊
- Encouraging others 🫂
- Talking about how awesome God is 🎉
When people see how hopeful we are, it helps them feel hopeful too.
And THAT is what it means to be a little beacon of light in the world! 🕯️🌍
So remember: Watchfulness = living every day like it’s full of God’s promises.
Let’s shine our lights, love others, and keep our hearts ready for the best homecoming ever. 💛
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
Where should families start this week?
Pick one habit: nightly Matthew 25 reading or daily Oil-jar kindness. Keep it simple, keep it steady.
Final Thought 🌟🕊️💛
Wow—what a BIG and beautiful promise!
Matthew 24:4–35 teaches us something amazing:
Jesus is coming back—and it’s not something to be afraid of. It’s something to celebrate! 🎉
His return will be more exciting than the best birthday party ever—full of joy, love, and light! But until that day, He wants us to live each moment with hearts full of faith, kindness, and hope.
Yaya says, “Every day is a chance to shine a little brighter for Him.” 💡
So here’s what I’m going to do—and maybe you will too:
- Pray and spend time with Jesus 🕯️
- Be kind, even when it’s hard 🫂
- Stay ready by living with love 💛
- Help others feel hopeful too ✨
Waiting for Jesus isn’t boring—it’s an adventure!
Each act of kindness, every word of encouragement, and each time we choose love over fear—we’re getting ready for the best homecoming ever. 👑
Let’s keep cheering each other on, staying close to God, and being lights in the world.
Because one day, when the clouds open and Jesus returns, we’ll be ready—hearts full, lamps shining, and smiles wide. 🌈
Grace, peace, and hearts that stay ready,
Ariel 💕
Explore More on Blogging4Adventure
Quick Check Quiz
Compare & Discern
| Approach | Goal | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Predict dates | Control | Distraction from daily faith |
| Ignore return | Comfort | Cold love, dull habits |
| Prepared hearts | Faithful readiness | Bright love, steady hope |
Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Return of Christ | Promised coming of Jesus as King and Judge. |
| Readiness | Daily faith lived with prayer, obedience, and love. |
| Parable | Short story that teaches a spiritual truth. |
| Comfort | God’s strength and peace given to sorrowing hearts. |
References
| Citation | Link |
|---|---|
| Blogging4Adventure — Being Born Again | Open |
| Blogging4Adventure — Feeding the 5000 | Open |
| Blogging4Adventure — Understanding DNA | Open |
| BibleGateway — Matthew 24–25 (KJV) | Open |
| Enduring Word — Matthew 25 Commentary | Open |
| GotQuestions — Parable of the Ten Virgins | Open |
Practice & Pray
Preparing for Jesus’ Return means steady hope, bright love, and daily faithfulness. Families can pray, serve, forgive quickly, and keep lamps full of “oil.”
Ariel — Kid Author & Faith Explorer
Homeschool writer at Blogging4Adventure, blending Bible study, science, and creative family challenges. Posts reviewed by Mom & Dad; Scripture cross-checked with trusted study tools for accuracy and safety.
FAQ
How do we talk about Jesus’ return without fear?
Focus on hope, promises, and daily faithfulness. Read short passages together and pray with gratitude.
What if kids ask “when”?
Say, “God knows the perfect time; our job is to love well today.”
Which verses should we memorize?
Matthew 25:40; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Mark 13:33.
[…] So don’t worry about dates or times. Just live today with hope, kindness, and faith—because the best surprise of all is coming. And we want to be so ready! (Read more about how we’re preparing our hearts in faith and hope here!) […]