Ascension Day – Burley Parish Church

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS.

Today we are going to look at the ascension of Jesus, which is when Jesus went to Heaven. After his resurrection Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples before returning to his Father in Heaven. Before Jesus leaves, he makes sure he gives his followers words of hope and encouragement so they do not feel afraid when He ascends to Heaven.

It is the same for us if we are worried about a friend or a relative going away for a while. If they give us words of hope and reassurance we don’t feel as afraid or worried about them. Below is the story of the Ascension of Jesus for younger children to read with their parents and an extract for older children to read.

There is also a YouTube clip and some crafts for you to do. I hope you have fun learning all about Jesus going to Heaven.

Story for Younger Children

Jesus came back from the grave* and spent 40 days with his beloved disciples*. He taught his dear students many things and told them that he would visit again.

He said, “Soon, you will be baptized* with the Holy Spirit and receive the power of God. You will tell my story to the people in Jerusalem and to people all over the Earth.”
Jesus blessed his disciples*. Then as they look at him Jesus became surrounded by bright light. He was taken into the heavens, and he disappeared.

Two men appeared and told the disciples that Jesus was in heaven.

Jesus says Good-bye!
Adapted from Acts 1:1-10
Jesus said to his friends one day,
“Very soon I must go away,
Don’t be sad because
I will come back again!
Jesus told his friends:
“Tell my story everywhere.”
And then as his beloved friends
were standing there
Jesus went up, up, up
Into the sky!

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD: A BIBLE STORY FOR OLDER CHILDREN.

Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:6–11

After his resurrection, Jesus remained with the disciples for forty days. Eventually, it was time for him to return to his Father in heaven, but not before giving his followers a few parting words of hope.

As you read this story, pay attention to the reasons the apostles are filled with hope instead of fear after Jesus ascends up into heaven.

Jesus gathered his disciples together and they asked him, “Lord, are you going to restore the Kingdom of Israel now?”

Jesus was staring up into the sky. He looked to his disciples and replied, “It is not for you to know the time that the Father has planned for his kingdom. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Then, to the amazement of the disciples, Jesus began to float up into the air. He rose higher and higher into the clouds until they could see him no more.

They were staring up into the sky when two men in white robes appeared by their sides. They were angels. They said, “Why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has ascended into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

The angels left them, and the men returned to Jerusalem. As they walked along the way, they remembered some parting words Jesus had spoken to them not long before. He told them, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

With a renewed sense of hope in the future, the apostles began their mission to make more disciples of Christ throughout the world.

Here are some Reflection Questions to have a think about:

What did Jesus tell the apostles to do after he left?
Why do you think the apostles felt hope after Jesus ascended up into heaven?
How can you be Jesus Christ’s witness and teach others about what he said and did?

Ascension Video: Jesus’ Ascension