ELL Bible Study: Luke 21:20-28 — Jesus Warns and Gives Hope

This Bible study lesson is for people who are learning English (ELL or ESL students). It is made for advanced beginner and intermediate English learners. Children who speak English or adults who prefer easy English may also enjoy it and learn from it.

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Luke 21:20-28 Printable Discussion Questions

Lesson Icebreaker Question

What is the scariest storm or weather you have ever seen? What did you do when it happened?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will hear how Jesus warned people about hard times in the future. We will also hear how Jesus gives hope to those who trust him. Even when the world feels scary, Jesus promises to be with his people.

Vocabulary List (GNT)

Afraid — Feeling scared or worried.
Appear — To suddenly be seen.
Armies — Groups of soldiers who fight for a country.
Cloud — A white or gray shape in the sky made of tiny drops of water.
Country — A large area of land where people live under one government.
Course — The path or way something moves.
Despair — A very sad feeling when you think nothing will get better.
Destroyed — Broken into pieces so it is gone.
Destruction — When something is completely ruined or broken.
Distress — Great sadness or trouble.
Driven — Pushed or forced to go in a different direction.
Faint — To fall down because you are too weak or scared.
Glory — Great beauty, power, or honor.
Happen — To take place or occur.
Heathen — People who do not believe in the one true God.
Hills — Small mountains or raised areas of land.
Jerusalem — A very old and special city in the Bible.
Judea — A place in the Bible where many Jewish people lived.
Land — A large area of ground or country.
Moon — The round object that shines at night in the sky.
Power — Strength or ability to do something.
Pregnant — When a woman is going to have a baby.
Prisoner — A person who is not free and is kept by others.
Punishment — Something bad that happens because of wrong choices.
Raging — Very strong and wild.
Raise — To lift something up.
Roar — A loud, deep sound.
Salvation — Being saved or rescued by God.
Scriptures — The holy writings in the Bible.
Sea — A very large area of salt water.
Son of Man — A name Jesus used for himself.
Space — The sky and stars above the earth.
Stars — Bright lights in the sky at night, far away.
Strange — Something different or not normal.
Surrounded — When something is all around you.
Sword — A long, sharp weapon used in fights.
Terrible — Very bad or scary.
Tides — The rising and falling water in the sea.
Trample — To walk over something roughly and crush it.

Summary of the Passage

In this passage, Jesus was teaching his followers about things that would happen in the future. He wanted them to be ready and not be afraid.

First, Jesus talked about the city of Jerusalem. He said one day armies would come and surround the city. The people would be in danger, and many would have to run away to stay safe. Jesus said it would be very hard for mothers with babies and people inside the city. Many people would be hurt, and the city would be taken over by people who did not believe in God.

Next, Jesus spoke about things happening in the sky and on the earth. The sun, moon, and stars would act in strange ways. People all over the world would be very scared. The sea would roar and the water would rise high. People would be so afraid they might faint. These would be signs that something very big was about to happen.

But Jesus gave good news too. He said one day the Son of Man, which means Jesus himself, would come back with great power and glory. When people who believe in him see these things, they should stand up and be happy because their salvation is near. Jesus promised he would come to save his people.

This passage shows us that even when hard and scary things happen, Jesus is still in control. He loves his people and will one day come again to make everything right.

Read The Passage

Most English learners should use the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV), or the Good News Translation (GNT). If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions.

Text from the ERV Bible Translation

The Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “You will see armies all around Jerusalem.
Then you will know that the time for its destruction has come.
21 The people in Judea at that time should run away to the mountains.
The people in Jerusalem must leave quickly.
If you are near the city, don’t go in!
22 The prophets wrote many things about the time when God will punish his people.
The time I am talking about is when all these things must happen.
23 During that time it will be hard for women who are pregnant or have small babies, because very bad times will come to this land.
God will be angry with these people.
24 Some of the people will be killed by soldiers.
Others will be made prisoners and taken to all the different countries.
The holy city of Jerusalem will be under the control of foreigners until their time is completed.
Don’t Fear
25 “Amazing things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars.
And people all over the earth will be upset and confused by the noise of the sea and its crashing waves.
26 They will be afraid and worried about what will happen to the world.
Everything in the sky will be changed.
27 Then people will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When these things begin to happen, stand up tall and don’t be afraid.
Know that it is almost time for God to free you!”
Luke 21:20-28 (ERV)

Text from the GNT Bible Translation

Jesus Speaks of the Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that it will soon be destroyed.
21 Then those who are in Judea must run away to the hills; those who are in the city must leave, and those who are out in the country must not go into the city.
22 For those will be ‘The Days of Punishment,’ to make come true all that the Scriptures say.
23 How terrible it will be in those days for women who are pregnant and for mothers with little babies! Terrible distress will come upon this land, and God’s punishment will fall on this people.
24 Some will be killed by the sword, and others will be taken as prisoners to all countries; and the heathen will trample over Jerusalem until their time is up.
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “There will be strange things happening to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On earth whole countries will be in despair, afraid of the roar of the sea and the raging tides.
26 People will faint from fear as they wait for what is coming over the whole earth, for the powers in space will be driven from their courses.
27 Then the Son of Man will appear, coming in a cloud with great power and glory.
28 When these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads, because your salvation is near.”
Luke 21:20-28 (GNT)

Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 21:20-28 (ERV)
Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 21:20-28 (NIRV)
Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 21:20-28 (GNT)
Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 21:20-28 (NLT)
Hard: New International Version: Luke 21:20-28 (NIV)
Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 21:20-28 (ESV)

Luke 21:20-28 Printable ERV Passage

Luke 21:20-28 Printable GNT Passage

Luke 21:20-28 Printable Discussion Questions

Comprehension Questions

What did Jesus say would happen to the city of Jerusalem?
What did Jesus tell the people in the city to do when danger came?
Why did Jesus say it would be hard for mothers with babies?
What did Jesus say would happen in the sky?
How did Jesus say people on earth would feel when these things happen?
Who did Jesus say would come in a cloud with great power and glory?
What did Jesus tell his followers to do when they see these things happening?

Application Questions

What is something in the world today that makes you feel afraid?
How does it help to remember that Jesus is in control?
Why do you think Jesus wants his followers to stand up and be brave when things are scary?
When you are afraid, who do you talk to or pray to for help?
How can we encourage each other when life feels hard?

Theological Insights

Jesus knows what will happen in the future.
God will punish sin, but he also saves people who trust him.
Jesus promises to come again with great power and glory.
Believers can have hope even when the world feels scary.
Jesus is the Son of Man, and he has the power to save his people.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us. Help us to be brave when we feel afraid. Please remind us that you are always with us and that Jesus will come again. Amen.