The River of Life — Jesus Is Coming Soon Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jesus is coming soon!”
This is the very last page of the Bible. John, the friend of Jesus, was on the island of Patmos. An angel was showing him God’s new city.
The angel showed John a river. It was the river of water of life, clear as crystal. Clear as crystal means you can see all the way through it. It flowed from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The Lamb is Jesus. The river ran right down the middle of the street. Can you make the sound of a little river? Shhh, shhh, shhh.
On both sides of the river grew the tree of life. It had twelve kinds of fruit. It gave fruit every month! Its leaves were for the healing of the nations. Healing means making well. Which fruit would you like to pick?
There will be nothing bad there any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. God’s people will serve him. They will see his face. And his name will be on their foreheads. They belong to him!
There will be no night there. They will need no lamp and no sun. The Lord God will be their light.
The angel said, “These words are faithful and true.” That means: you can trust them! Then Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon!” Jesus is coming soon!
John heard and saw all these things. He fell down to worship the angel. But the angel said, “You must not do that! Worship God.” The angel was a helper of God, just like John.
The angel said, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book.” That means: don’t close the book. Let everyone read it!
Jesus said again, “Behold, I am coming soon!” He also said this. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” Like A and Z! Jesus is coming soon!
Jesus said, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you. I am the root and the offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
The morning star shines when the night is ending. It means a new day is coming. After the dark night comes the bright morning. Can you make your hands twinkle like a star?
The book says, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ He who is thirsty, let him come.” And, “He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Freely means as a gift. You don’t have to pay!
Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming soon.” And John answered, “Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!” Can you say it with John? Come, Lord Jesus! Jesus is coming soon!
The very last words of the Bible are a blessing. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.” Grace means God’s kindness that we can never earn.
God’s kindness is with you as you go to sleep. And the water of life is his free gift. Jesus is coming soon!
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think the water of life tastes like?
- What would you like to say to Jesus when he comes?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 12 kinds of fruit on the tree of life, and the 1 river.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“He who is thirsty, let him come” — Revelation 22:17 (He who is thirsty → pretend to drink from a cup; let him come → wave someone toward you)
Dear Jesus, thank you for the water of life, your free gift. Yes, come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Jesus Is Coming Soon
Memory verse: “He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.” — Revelation 22:17 · WEB
The Bible story
Step onto a lonely island with old John and follow a shining angel to a sparkling river, a tree of life, and Jesus' happy promise: I am coming soon!
Talk about it
- Who did God show the beautiful picture of heaven to? — Old John
- Who showed John the river of life? — An angel
- What ran right through the middle of the shining city? — A clear river
- Where did the sparkling river flow from? — God's throne
- What special tree grew on both banks of the river? — The tree of life
- How often did the tree give its fresh fruit? — Every month
Where is Jesus in this story?
Jesus once stood up at a feast and called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37). The river flowing from the throne of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1) is that same invitation. And the tree of life, lost in Eden (Genesis 3:22–24), is open again for you because of Jesus.
What God wants to tell us
This lovely picture reminds us that God is getting a wonderful home ready for everyone who loves Him. There will be no more tears, no dark nights, and no sad goodbyes — only joy beside His sparkling river. When life feels hard, we can hold on to Jesus' promise and wait with happy, hopeful hearts, knowing that the very best is still to come.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for the beautiful home You are making, with Your sparkling river and the tree of life. Thank You that Jesus is coming soon. Help me to trust You when I feel sad, and to share Your love with others while I wait. I am so glad that I can come to You. Amen.
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