Joyful Moments in Christ

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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Lesson Icebreaker Question

What is something beautiful you have seen in your city or country? Why did it make you feel happy or amazed?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will hear Jesus talk about some hard things that will happen in the world. He also teaches his followers how to stay brave and trust him when life is difficult.

Vocabulary List (GNT)

1. Afraid — Feeling scared or worried.
2. Arrested — Taken by the police and not allowed to leave.
3. Attack — To try to hurt someone or something.
4. Beautiful — Very pretty or nice to look at.
5. Claiming — Saying something is true, even if it is not.
6. Contradict — To say something is not true or is the opposite of what someone else said.
7. Countries — Big areas of land where people live under one government.
8. Defend — To protect yourself by speaking or acting.
9. Disciples — People who follow a teacher and learn from them.
10. Earthquakes — When the ground shakes because the earth moves.
11. Enemies — People who want to hurt or fight you.
12. Famines — Times when there is not enough food for people to eat.
13. Fight — When people try to hurt each other or stop each other.
14. Fine — Very good or high quality.
15. Follow — To go after someone or listen to what they say.
16. Fooled — Tricked into believing something that is not true.
17. Gift — Something special you give to someone.
18. Good News — The message about Jesus and how he saves people.
19. Handed Over — Given to another person, sometimes by force.
20. Kingdoms — Places ruled by a king or queen.
21. My Sake — Because of me, or for my good.
22. Offered — Gave something to someone to show love or thanks.
23. Persecuted — Treated badly because of what you believe.
24. Plagues — Serious diseases that spread quickly and make many people sick.
25. Refute — To show that something is not true.
26. Revolutions — Big fights by people who want to change the government.
27. Rulers — People in charge of a country or place.
28. Save — To keep safe or rescue from danger.
29. Stand Firm — To stay strong and not give up.
30. Stone — A small, hard rock.
31. Synagogues — Places where Jewish people gather to worship God and learn.
32. Temple — A very important building for worshiping God in Bible times.
33. Terrifying — Very, very scary.
34. Tried — Taken to a court to see if someone did something wrong.
35. Wars — Big fights between countries or groups of people.
36. Wisdom — Knowing what is good and true, and making good choices.
37. Strange — Something different or not normal.

Summary of the Passage

This passage happens when Jesus is with his disciples, the people who followed him and learned from him. They were visiting the Temple, a very important place where people came to worship God. The disciples talked about how beautiful the building was. But Jesus told them that one day the whole Temple would be destroyed. This surprised them, and they wanted to know when it would happen.

Jesus explained that before the end of time, many difficult things would happen in the world. He said that people would claim to be him, but they should not follow them. There would be wars, earthquakes, and sickness. People would go hungry, and terrible things would happen in the sky. Jesus told his followers not to be afraid when they heard these things.

He also warned that people who followed him would be treated badly. They might be arrested and taken to court. Even family and friends might turn against them. But Jesus promised to give them wisdom and good words to say when this happened. He told them to stand strong and trust him, because even though hard things would happen, God would be with them.

This passage teaches us that life can be hard sometimes, but Jesus stays with his people. He helps them be brave, gives them wise words, and promises to protect them in ways only he can.

Read The Passage

Jesus Speaks of the Destruction of the Temple
5 Some of the disciples were talking about the Temple, how beautiful it looked with its fine stones and the gifts offered to God. Jesus said,
6 “All this you see—the time will come when not a single stone here will be left in its place; every one will be thrown down.”
Troubles and Persecutions
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will this be? And what will happen in order to show that the time has come for it to take place?”
8 Jesus said, “Watch out; don’t be fooled. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t follow them.
9 Don’t be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions; such things must happen first, but they do not mean that the end is near.”
10 He went on to say, “Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another.
11 There will be terrible earthquakes, famines, and plagues everywhere; there will be strange and terrifying things coming from the sky.
12 Before all these things take place, however, you will be arrested and persecuted; you will be handed over to be tried in synagogues and be put in prison; you will be brought before kings and rulers for my sake.
13 This will be your chance to tell the Good News.
14-15 Make up your minds ahead of time not to worry about how you will defend yourselves, because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say.
16 You will be handed over by your parents, your brothers, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to death.
17 Everyone will hate you because of me.
18 But not a single hair from your heads will be lost.
19 Stand firm, and you will save yourselves.

Luke 21:5-19 (GNT)

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

• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 21:5-19 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 21:5-19 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 21:5-19 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 21:5-19 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 21:5-19 (ESV)

Comprehension Questions

1. What were the disciples saying about the Temple?
2. What did Jesus say would happen to the Temple?
3. What did the disciples ask Jesus after he said this?
4. What did Jesus say people should watch out for?
5. What kinds of bad things did Jesus say would happen in the world?
6. What did Jesus say would happen to his followers?
7. How would Jesus help his followers when people were mean to them?
8. What did Jesus tell his followers to do when life was hard?

Application Questions

1. When have you had a hard time in life?
2. Who helps you when you feel afraid?
3. Why is it important to stand strong when things are difficult?
4. How can we trust God when we are worried about the future?

Theological Insights

1. Jesus knows the future and tells his people what to expect.
2. God’s people may have hard times, but God stays with them.
3. Jesus promises to give his people wisdom and courage.
4. Even when life is scary, God is in control.
5. Those who trust in Jesus have hope that lasts forever.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for always being with us, even when life is hard. Help us to be strong, brave, and trust you. Give us wisdom and kind hearts. Amen.

ELL Resources for the Gospel of Luke

More ELL Resources

You can find more Bible lessons for English learners on the main ELL page.

Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.