p. 12 | Are You Ready?

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 12, 1914

Are You Ready?

Lesson for the Children — No. 3

Are You Ready?

MEMORY TEXT: “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matt. 24: 24.

Begin this lesson by letting the children imagine they are to take a journey on a strange road. They do not know the way to go, and the end seems far away. But before starting they are told that a guide has gone over the path and knows all the road. To help other travelers, he has set signposts, which show the dangerous parts of the journey, where the road is hard and steep, and when they are near the end.

Now all are ready to start. How carefully everybody is watching for the first sign. “There it is!” cries one. “Now we are sure we are on the right road,” says another. “Let us watch for the next sign.” And so they go forward with good courage.

An outline may be drawn on the blackboard or paper while the lesson is developed, showing a long path. At first there are but few signposts, far apart. At the last, many are found close together. Show that the most difficult part of the journey is at this point.

Very briefly tell the story in Matthew 24. Picture Jesus sitting on the mountain side with his disciples about him as he tells them how they may know when the journey on earth is about to end. Let the children memorize the dates of the signs, beginning with the darkening of the sun. Ask. How many signs have

been passed? How many are yet to come? How many to be seen now?

Since we shall reach the end very soon, what should we be doing?—“Getting ready.” The Lord says, “Be ready.”

Let the children tell of the joys that come with the end of the journey. What friends we shall see,—God, Jesus, angels, loved friends now sleeping in the tomb. It will not be a visit only, but we go to live with them forever.

Some will neglect to get ready. They are not watching for signs. They want to play and have a good time on the road. Some are so very careless that they lie down and sleep. (The story of the enchanted ground may be used, as found in “Pilgrim’s Progress.”) Others try to hinder those who wish to go on their way. Familiar illustrations of last-day conditions may be found in Matt. 25: 1-13; 24: 48-51.

Now what can we do during this week of prayer to get ready? How can we help others? Name some of the things needed that we may be prepared. Close with earnest prayer for help that all may be ready.