4-Week Lesson

Overview
One of God’s greatest promises is that this life
is not all there is—we can spend eternity with
him. But what will that eternity look like? What
does the Bible really teach us about heaven?
This 4-week session will help children
understand—and become excited about—this
Biblical view of heaven.

1. “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9. This week, we will explore how the renewal Jesus brings at
his Second Coming will affect nature itself in the New Creation. We will look at the current
state of creation and compare that with God’s original design when He called it “good.”

2. “New Jerusalem” Revelation 21:2-3. This week, we will explore how that renewal will affect
God’s relationship with his people, the church: what the Bible calls the New Jerusalem. This
New Jerusalem is when God finally, once and for all,dwells among His people. The Bible
compares it to a bride as well as to the temple, themes which we will explore through the
lesson.

3. “New Bodies” Philippians 3:20-21. This week, we will explore how that renewal will affect
even our own bodies. We will look at what the Bible tells us about the new body Jesus received
with His resurrection and what we can learn from that about the resurrected bodies we will
receive in heaven. We will also examine some of the ways these new bodies will be the same
as well as different from the bodies we experience right now. Most importantly, we will discuss
how these new bodies will be free of the effects of sin and what that will be like as we enjoy
the New Heavens and the New Earth when Jesus returns.

4. “New Hearts” Ezekiel 36:26. This week, we will explore how that renewal will affect even our
own hearts. We will look at what the Bible says about the state of our hearts currently–and
then about how God intends to change our hearts. While God will ultimately transform our
hearts when Jesus returns so that they never sin again, one of the key parts of our discussion
today will be the fact that we don’t have to wait for heaven for this part of the renewal process:
God is beginning it even now!

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 Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9
Summary: One of God’s greatest promises is that this life is not all there is—we can
spend eternity with Him in heaven. Throughout the Bible, we are told that when Jesus
returns at the end of the age, it will be a time of incredible and unbelievable renewal that
will impact every part of life as we know it.

This week, we will explore how the renewal Jesus brings at His Second Coming will
affect nature itself in the New Creation. We will look at the current state of creation and
compare that with God’s original design when He called it “good.”

Gospel Connection: This lesson teaches children that Jesus will return someday, and
when He does, He will bring about full and complete renewal–to the entire world and all
of creation. This session will help children understand—and become excited
about—following Jesus now and anticipating this Biblical view of the world to come!

Memory Verse: Revelation 21:5a

Additional Passages and Stories: Genesis 1:11-12, 3:17-18; Isaiah 11:6-9; Romans
8:20-22; Revelation 21:1
 Memory Verse Activity: NIV
Hand Motions

Suggested time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies: None

Instructions:

Use hand motions to help the children learn the memory verse. Consider adapting sign
language, or use the suggested movements provided below:

Revelation (Open your eyes extra wide)

21:5 (Hold up fingers as you say each numbers 2-1-5)

He (point up toward the ceiling)

who was seated (sit down, as if in a chair)

on the throne (pretend they are holding a scepter in their hand)

said, (hold hand up to mouth as if about to shout)

"I (point to themselves)

am making (swing one hand up in a circular motion, with palm facing away and
everything then do the same with the other hand)

new!" (now swing both hands at the same time in a circular motion in
front of yourself)

After teaching hand motions to the kids, repeat the verse several times using the
motions.

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

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 Lesson Illustration
Dirty Penny Experiment

Suggested time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies: Dark or tarnished pennies; vinegar; salt; glass bowl or cup; spoon; water; paper
towels; tablecloth (optional).

Instructions:

● If using a tablecloth, lay it out to protect the surface of the table or desk where
you will be conducting the experiment.

● Show the children the dark pennies (perhaps even read the date that’s printed on
them) and ask the children if they think you can make these old pennies new
again.

● Pour vinegar into the glass container. Then add salt and stir until it dissolves.
(Suggested ratio: ¼ cup white vinegar and 1 tsp. salt.)

● Drop the pennies in, and invite the children to count with you as you slowly count
out loud to 10. Stir the pennies in the solution as you count. (Consider keeping
one dirty penny out of the solution so that you can use it for comparison
afterward.)

● Remove the pennies from the mixture. (The chemical reaction should have made
them shiny again.)

● Rinse the pennies in water and then dry them off. (If you don’t rinse them under
water, they will turn green-blue by forming a compound called malachite.)

● Show the clean pennies to the children.

LEADER: Didn’t that seem like magic how we made those dirty, tarnished coins look
brand new again? Well, it wasn’t actually magic–it was a chemical reaction that allowed
that change to take place. But in today’s lesson, we are going to talk about one of the
ways that Jesus really will make old things new…

Transition to Large Group Teaching.

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

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 Large Group Teaching:
Suggested Time: 15–20 minutes

LEADER: I love going outside and walking around in nature. But even though I love lots
of different things about nature, it isn’t hard to find things that I don’t love about it:
droughts, fires, earthquakes, volcanoes, even when plants die or animals kill each other.
As much as I wish those things didn’t happen, they do.

That’s because, as wonderful as nature is, it isn’t perfect. Even the Bible talks about this:

READ: Romans 8:20-22

LEADER: Creation has been corrupted—broken down and damaged—by sin. Creation
isn’t able to do and be what God had always intended to be. Creation itself is awaiting
the day when it can break free from the damage sin causes!

The Bible teaches that nature is not perfect. However, when God first created nature, He
called it “good.”

READ: Genesis 1:11-12

LEADER: So whatever happened to this goodness? Well, unfortunately sin happened,

and that’s how the everything got messed up. The pain, sadness, death, sickness, and
hatred in the world all started with sin. You see, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in
the Garden of Eden, God told them they and all of nature would be cursed.

READ: Genesis 3:17c,18a

LEADER: Because of sin, nature is no longer as “good” as God originally intended.

Instead, it is filled with thorns and thistles that hurt us and make our job to reign over
creation a lot harder.

Thankfully, though, that’s not the end of the story for us or creation! Because Jesus died
for our sins—including Adam and Eve’s sins!—God will eventually reverse the curse when
Jesus comes back! When this happens, God is going to renew everything, even nature.
The Bible says that, at that time, Jesus will reset everything.

READ: Revelation 21:1

LEADER: But the Bible doesn’t stop there. It also talks about what this New Creation will
look and be like–and how much better it will be than even the best parts of nature that
we can experience now.

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

© 2023 The Sunday School Store
That’s because in this New Creation, God will do away with all death–even among the
fiercest of animals! There will no longer be any predators or prey in this New Creation.
Instead, all of the animals will live together peacefully without hurting, attacking or
eating one another.

Here’s how the Bible describes animals as they will be in the New Creation:

READ: Isaiah 11:6-8

LEADER: Did you catch all of those animal relationships? The wolf and the lamb will live
together in harmony. The leopard and the young goat will be able to lay down and rest
together. The lion and the fattened baby cow will be able to live together—even so much
so that one of you could lead both of them around!

Can you imagine that?! If you’ve ever been to a zoo, you know that they would never let
you get that close to a lion. But in the New Creation, you’ll be able to call them like you
would a pet cat or kitten! And the lion would come, and you would never have to worry
about it hurting you. That is the kind of renewal that Jesus will bring about in this New
Creation!

Even more than that, the Bible says a baby could play around a cobra and be fine. A
toddler could put his hand inside the den of a venomous snake. God will renew even the
way nature works!

When we read that section, did you hear one of the reasons about why one of those
animals would no longer have to eat or attack other animals? The next sentence
explains what will happen even more specifically:

READ: Isaiah 11:9

LEADER: When Jesus comes back, the entire earth—even the animals, it seems!—will be
filled with the knowledge of God. And when that happens, even the fiercest of hunters
will be changed and no longer need to hunt or kill. Instead, they will live peacefully
alongside one another.

Can you imagine what that kind of world would look like? Can you imagine watching the
wolf take care of the baby sheep? Or the lion and the calf playing together in a field? If
they are changed in ways like those–imagine the renewal that would take place
throughout other things in nature: the trees, the flowers, the weather. The Bible doesn’t
give us specifics about those things, but I’m sure you can use your imagination knowing
what we do about the kind of renewal that these animals will experience!

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

© 2023 The Sunday School Store
While we can only imagine it now, the best part is that someday we will actually be able
to experience it. And how that happens is very simple: When we have faith in Jesus, we
can know that we will get to experience this New Creation with Him when He comes
back and makes all things–even nature, itself–new!

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

© 2023 The Sunday School Store
 Small Group Discussion and Prayer:
Suggested time: 10–15 minutes

Discuss the following questions. Choose questions that are most appropriate for your
group’s age and attention level.

● When God originally created the earth, God called it __________.

● What happened to nature when sin entered the world through Adam and Eve?

● What is going to happen to nature when Jesus comes back?

● Can you remember any of the examples that the Bible gave us about how the
relationships with different animals will change?

● The passage gives us one example of why animals will behave differently in the
New Creation. Do you remember what it says that lions will begin eating instead
of eating other animals?

● The passage in Isaiah tells us that there’s a reason that lions will start eating
straw. What is it?

● How will animals’ relationships change with people, specifically with small
children and babies?

● What is one word you would use to describe this New Creation?

Take some time to share prayer requests. Then lead the kids in prayer. You may also
read the prayer below.

Dear God,
Thank you for giving us Jesus
And for His sacrifice, which makes this renewal possible!
Thank you that when He comes back,
We will get to experience this New Creation with him!
We pray that, until then, You would help us be excited
For the renewal that Jesus has in store,
Not only for this New Creation, but for us, too.
In Jesus name, Amen!

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

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 Application Activity
Animal Charades

Suggested time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies: Small pieces of paper with different animals written on them; a bag to contain
the paper slips; timer (optional)

Instructions:

● In advance, write suggestions of animals the kids could act out on small slips of
paper. Some ideas include: Lion; rabbit; frog; bird; cat; dog; skunk; bee; giraffe;
gorilla; fish.

● Instruct the kids to pick one of the animals out of the bag and act it out without
making any sounds.

● The class must try to guess what animal the child is acting out. If the game is
taking too long, consider using a time limit, perhaps 30 seconds.

● When the animal is guessed (or the timer runs out), allow the next child to take a
turn.

● Repeat until all children have a turn acting out an animal.

LEADER: You guys did a great job bringing those different animals to life!

But imagine if you had to act out those animals like how they are supposed to be in the
New Creation: The lion would be happy chewing some straw! The wolf would be
snuggling up with a lamb! That version of the game would probably have been really
hard, wouldn’t it have?

But think about what it would be like, in real life, if we never had to worry about a lion
roaring at us, a gorilla beating his chest or a skunk having to spray its enemy…Think
about how that would change what a trip to the zoo would be like—or if we would even
need to have zoos in the New Creation! Just thinking about it makes me excited to get
to experience it when Jesus comes back again and brings it with him!

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

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 Bonus Activity
Diorama Craft

Suggested time: 15–20 minutes

Supplies: Cardboard boxes (such as a shoebox, tissue box with the top removed or any
other box of a similar size), one per kid; nature magazines, old calendars or greeting
cards that can be cut up; scissors; glue; fake greenery, flowers and plastic animals
(optional).

Instructions:

● Pass one box out to each kid.

● Instruct the kids to label the outside of the box with their names.

● Instruct the kids to go through the materials available and decorate the inside of
their box with pictures of nature and animals to create their own version of the
New Creation.

● Set the boxes aside to dry, and hold onto them until the following week.

LEADER: You will continue to decorate your boxes each week, as we learn new things
about what heaven will be like over the course of this study. This week, we talked about
the New Creation and how Jesus is going to make nature and even the relationships
between animals new when He returns. Next week, we will build upon that image when
we learn something new that the Bible tells us about heaven! By the end, we will have
made what is called a diorama, which is like a small version of a scene or place. Our
dioramas will reflect what the Bible teaches us about what heaven will really be like and,
I hope, will bring the passages we are reading to life!

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

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 Craft Suggestion:
“Reversible Rivals Puppet”

Supplies:

● Construction Paper or cardstock

● Scissors
● Glue or tape
● Decorative elements as desired
● Markers or crayons
● Paper bag
● Cotton balls
● Googly eyes

Procedure:

1. On one side of the paper bag,

create a “wolf” puppet, adding a
face and coloring to indicate a wolf.

2. Decorate the “wolf.” Add verses or

captions.
3. On the other side of the paper bag,
add a sheep style face. Glue on
cotton balls if desired, for “wool”
effect.
4. Add verses and captions to the
sheep side, as well.
5. Use the reversible puppet to remember that one day even enemies will be friends!

Verse/Caption Suggestions:

● The wolf…and the lamb shall lie together! Hope in a future of change!
● Isaiah 11:6-9
● Enemies shall be friends in the end! Trust in the Lord.

Watch a a video demonstration of this craft online - https://youtu.be/l9R3gRpO1P8

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

© 2023 The Sunday School Store
Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9
© 2023 The Sunday School Store
 Bible Word Search
CALF - CHILD - CORRUPTION - COW - CREATION - GLORY - HOPE - ISAIAH
LAMB - LEOPARD - LION - LORD - NEW - PEACE - ROMANS - WOLF

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

© 2023 The Sunday School Store
 Word Search Answers

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

© 2023 The Sunday School Store
 A Note for Parents
One of God’s greatest promises is that this life is not all there is—we can spend eternity
with Him in heaven. Throughout the Bible, we are told that when Jesus returns at the
end of the age, it will be a time of incredible and unbelievable renewal that will impact
every element of life as we know it. Throughout this study, we will examine that renewal
while helping children get excited about this Biblical view of heaven!

This week, we explored how the renewal Jesus brings when He returns will affect nature
itself in the New Creation. We looked at the current state of creation, right now, and
compared that with God’s original intention when He first created nature and called it
“good.” Unfortunately, that “good” was spoiled by Adam and Eve’s sin, which cursed even
the ground itself. We then explored God’s intention to change all that when Jesus
returns, and some of the illustrations the Bible gives us of what that New Creation will
look like!

As we go through these lessons, spend some time at home talking about each principle
and what was discussed. Guide your kids to put into practice the principles they are
learning in church. Some possible suggestions for conversation or activity include:

● What was creation like when God first created it, and how did sin affect that?

● Can you think of anything you saw or experienced in nature that you didn’t like or
that reflects the way sin cursed creation itself?

● How is nature going to change when Jesus comes back?

● Can you remember any of the examples you talked about in class about how the
relationships between different animals will change?

● What is one word you would use to describe this New Creation?

● Practice the memory verse with your child: Revelation 21:5a.

● This week, take some time to point out various things in nature, and discuss how
they might be different in the New Creation.

Review and discuss the lessons with your children regularly. You might already have a
dedicated prayer or Bible time in your home. If so, great! If not, perhaps it is the time to
start one. It doesn’t have to be formal. You can speak about God’s truth on the way to
activities or around the dinner table. Remember that training a child is a constant task,
but it is also the most significant and rewarding one we can undertake.

Lesson 1 “New Creation” Isaiah 11:6-9

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