Up, Up, and Away!
Theme: The Ascension of Christ
Scripture: Acts 1:1-11
Get Ready: Click here to get your complete supply list for this lesson.
The Children’s Sermon:
You’ll Need:
● Helium balloons on a string - one per child
Hand each child a helium balloon, tying the string loosely to their wrist. Challenge them
to hold their balloon down in their lap until they are given the cue “up, up and away.”
Remind them of the importance of holding tightly to the balloon and listening for their
cue to release their balloon.
SAY: I’m sure you know that when filled with helium, a balloon floats in the air. And
it’s also quite enjoyable when it does float away from you. It’s fun to stand and
watch as the balloon floats higher and higher into the heavens until it totally
disappears. The only way to experience that is to be willing to let it go.
In today’s Bible lesson in the book of Acts, we learn that when Jesus was ready to
return to heaven, He took His disciples aside to make sure that they understood
everything that had happened to Him. He explained why it was important for Him to
be crucified and to be raised from the dead to fulfill what the Scriptures had said
about Him. He also told them that he was going to return to His Father in heaven
and that the Holy Spirit would come to be with them.
At first, the disciples were sad that Jesus would be leaving them, but then the Bible
tells us that Jesus opened their minds so they would understand. Then, an amazing
thing happened. The Bible tells us that Jesus lifted his hands and blessed His
disciples. While He was blessing them, He lifted up and was taken up into heaven
“up, up and away.” (Remind children to release their balloon.)
I don't know how all of this looked, but in my imagination I can see the disciples
standing and watching as Jesus ascended higher and higher until He disappeared
from view. Were the disciples sad? No way! The Bible tells us that when Jesus had
gone up into heaven, the disciples worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with
great joy. They stayed continually in the temple, praising God.
PRAY: Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus, Your only Son, to die for our sin. We
know that He has risen from the dead and has returned to heaven. Bless us today
as we worship Him with great joy! In Jesus’ name, amen.
“On Mission for Jesus” Video Lesson
You’ll Need:
● “On Mission for Jesus” video lesson
● Something to play the video
Do This: Show kids the video.
Afterward, ASK:
● How does God help us share the good news?
● What are ways you can be a witness for Jesus?
SAY: You don’t have to move all the way around the world to share about Jesus.
You can share the good news of Jesus dying for our sins with your family and
friends. With the power of the Holy Spirit in us, all believers can be witnesses for
Jesus.
Up, Up, and Away Craft
You’ll Need:
● Up, Up and Away How-to Video
● “The Ascension” coloring sheet, one per child
● Small paper cups
● String
● Cotton balls
● Scissors
● Glue
● Crayons
● Tape
Do This:
Help children follow these steps to make their Up, Up, and Away craft.
● Color the picture of Jesus.
● Ask an adult to cut out your Jesus picture.
● Cover the paper cup with cotton balls.
● Tape the string to the back of the Jesus cutout and thread it through a small
hole in the bottom of the cup.
● Tie a knot in the string.
● Pull the string to bring Jesus up into the clouds.
SAY: Take your Up, Up, and Away craft home as a reminder that after Jesus went
up, up, and away, He promised to bring power to His followers through the Holy
Spirit.
Complete Supply List:
● Helium balloons on a string - one per child
● “On Mission for Jesus” video lesson
● Something to play the video
● “The Ascension” coloring sheet, one per child
● Small paper cups
● String
● Cotton balls
● Scissors
● Glue
● Crayons
● Tape
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