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Free Bible lesson for kids · Revelation

John on the Isle of Patmos

On the island of Patmos, John heard a great voice like a trumpet and saw Jesus in glory, with a face shining like the sun. Jesus told him, “Fear not; I am the first and the last.”

Bible passage
Revelation 1:9–20
Big idea
Jesus is Lord over all, from beginning to end.
Memory verse
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8 (KJV)
Ages
Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
Time
About 45 minutes
Included, free
Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game

The story

John was on the island called Patmos because he preached God’s Word and told about Jesus (Revelation 1:9). On the Lord’s day he heard a great voice behind him, like a trumpet (Revelation 1:10). The voice said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” It told John to write to seven churches (Revelation 1:11). John turned and saw seven golden lampstands (Revelation 1:12).

In the middle of them was one like the Son of man, in a long robe with a golden belt (Revelation 1:13). His hair was white as snow, His eyes were like fire, and His face shone like the sun (Revelation 1:14, 16). John fell at His feet as if dead. But Jesus laid His right hand on him and said, “Fear not; I am the first and the last” (Revelation 1:17). Jesus had died, but now He is alive forever (Revelation 1:18).

Read it in the Bible: Revelation 1:9–20 (KJV)

9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Questions to ask

  1. Where was John?

    On the isle that is called Patmos.

  2. What did the voice sound like?

    A trumpet.

  3. What do Alpha and Omega mean?

    The beginning and the ending.

What this story teaches

  • Jesus is the first and the last, Lord over all (Revelation 1:17).
  • Jesus died, but now He is alive for evermore (Revelation 1:18).
  • Jesus holds the keys of death; He has power over it (Revelation 1:18).
  • Jesus comforts His people when they are afraid (Revelation 1:17).
  • Jesus is present in the midst of His churches (Revelation 1:13, 20).

Jesus Is Alive Forever

Jesus was dead, but He rose again. Now He is alive for evermore, and He holds the keys of death.

Revelation 1:18

A 45-minute lesson plan

5 minWelcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Worship Jesus as Lord of all.
10 minThe story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next.
10 minTalk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Jesus is Lord over all, from beginning to end.” What does that mean for us?
5 minMemory verse. Say Revelation 1:8 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone.
10 minActivity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions).
5 minPray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week.
  • Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
  • Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
  • Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.

Game time

For kids · game · indoors · about 8 minutes

Follow the Trumpet

You need: A kazoo or toy trumpet

  1. Everyone closes their eyes.
  2. A leader moves quietly somewhere in the room and blows the trumpet.
  3. Kids point to where they think the sound came from, then open their eyes to check.

John heard a great voice, as of a trumpet. It was Jesus, who said, “Fear not; I am the first and the last.”

For youth group · activity · indoors · about 20 minutes

Draw What John Saw

You need: Paper, colored pencils, Bibles

  1. Read Revelation 1:12–16 slowly while everyone draws exactly what they hear.
  2. Compare drawings.
  3. Talk: what does each picture tell us about who Jesus is?

John fell at Jesus’ feet, and Jesus laid His hand on him and said, “Fear not.” The glorious King is also kind.

Pray

Worship Jesus as Lord of all.

Questions people ask

Where was John?

On the isle that is called Patmos.

What did the voice sound like?

A trumpet.

What do Alpha and Omega mean?

The beginning and the ending.