Be Ready and Watchful: An ESL Bible Study on Luke 21:29-38

This Bible study series is for people who are learning English. It is designed for advanced beginner and intermediate learners, but children or adults who prefer simple English may also enjoy it.

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Luke 21:29-38 Printable Discussion Questions

Luke 21:29-38 Printable ERV Passage

Lesson Icebreaker Question

What is your favorite season of the year? How can you tell when it is coming?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus used a tree to teach an important lesson. He told his friends to watch carefully and stay ready. We will see how this can help us live with hope and trust.

Vocabulary Lists for the ERV Bible Translation

Key Vocabulary Words (10 words)

assure: (verb) To tell someone something so they will not worry.
example: (noun) Something that shows people how to act.
fig tree: (phrase) A specific kind of tree that grows sweet fruit that people can eat.
forever: (adverb) For all time without an end.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
Mount of Olives: (noun) A large hill near the city of Jerusalem where many olive trees grew.
Son of Man: (phrase) A special name Jesus used for himself to show he is the savior sent by God.
think straight: (phrase) To be able to think in a clear and calm way.
whole: (adjective) All of something.
worry: (verb) To feel unhappy because you are thinking about problems.

Important Words to Know (20 words)

assure: (verb) To tell someone something so they will not worry.
careful: (adjective) Paying close attention to what you are doing.
destroy: (verb) To break something completely.
drunk: (adjective) Having too much alcohol.
example: (noun) Something that shows people how to act.
fig tree: (phrase) A specific kind of tree that grows sweet fruit that people can eat.
forever: (adverb) For all time without an end.
get through: (phrase) To finish something that is difficult.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
Mount of Olives: (noun) A large hill near the city of Jerusalem where many olive trees grew.
pray: (verb) To talk to God.
ready: (adjective) Prepared to do something.
Son of Man: (phrase) A special name Jesus used for himself to show he is the savior sent by God.
spend: (verb) To use something up, like money, time, or energy.
stay: (verb) To continue in a place or a state for a period of time.
summer: (noun) The warmest season of the year.
surprise: (noun) A feeling caused by something that was not expected.
taught: (verb) To have helped someone learn something.
Temple area: (phrase) The space and buildings all around the special house of God in Jerusalem.
think straight: (phrase) To be able to think in a clear and calm way.

Complete Lesson Word Bank

able: (adjective) Having the power or skill to do something.
all the time: (phrase) Happening very often or always.
assure: (verb) To tell someone something so they will not worry.
before: (preposition) In front of someone or something.
careful: (adjective) Paying close attention to what you are doing.
city: (noun) A large town with many people and buildings.
come: (verb) To move toward a person or a place.
destroy: (verb) To break something completely.
drunk: (adjective) Having too much alcohol.
during: (preposition) While something is happening.
early: (adjective) Happening before the usual time.
earth: (noun) The world where we live.
end: (noun) The last part of something.
example: (noun) Something that shows people how to act.
fig tree: (phrase) A specific kind of tree that grows sweet fruit that people can eat.
forever: (adverb) For all time without an end.
get through: (phrase) To finish something that is difficult.
God: (noun) The creator and ruler of everything.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
got up: (phrase) To move the body from a sitting or lying position to a standing position.
green: (adjective) The color of grass or leaves.
happen: (verb) To take place.
Jesus: (noun) The Son of God and the Savior of the world!
last: (verb) To continue to exist for a long time.
might: (verb) A word used to show that something is possible.
morning: (noun) The early part of the day.
Mount of Olives: (noun) A large hill near the city of Jerusalem where many olive trees grew.
near: (adverb) Close in time or ready to happen soon.
night: (noun) The time when it is dark outside.
parties: (noun) More than one party or celebration.
pray: (verb) To talk to God.
ready: (adjective) Prepared to do something.
safe: (adjective) Not in danger.
sky: (noun) The space above the earth where the sun and stars are.
Son of Man: (phrase) A special name Jesus used for himself to show he is the savior sent by God.
spend: (verb) To use something up, like money, time, or energy.
stand: (verb) To be on your feet in an upright way.
stay: (verb) To continue in a place or a state for a period of time.
still: (adverb) Continuing until now.
summer: (noun) The warmest season of the year.
surprise: (noun) A feeling caused by something that was not expected.
taught: (verb) To have helped someone learn something.
Temple area: (phrase) The space and buildings all around the special house of God in Jerusalem.
think straight: (phrase) To be able to think in a clear and calm way.
told: (verb) To have given information to someone.
tree: (noun) A tall plant with a trunk made of wood.
turn: (verb) To change into something different, like a new color.
way: (noun) A path or a method of doing something.
went: (verb) To have moved to another place.
while: (conjunction) During the time that something is happening.
whole: (adjective) All of something.
world: (noun) The earth and all the people on it.
worry: (verb) To feel unhappy because you are thinking about problems.

Summary of the Passage

This passage tells us about a time when Jesus was teaching in Jerusalem. He used a story about a tree to help his followers understand what it means to be ready for God’s kingdom. He said the fig tree is a good example. An example is something that shows us how to understand or act. When the fig tree turns green, you know that summer is very near. In the same way, we can look for signs that God’s kingdom is coming. Jesus said he wanted to assure them that his words are true. To assure means to tell someone something so they do not worry. He said that even if the earth and sky are destroyed, his words will last forever.

Jesus also told the people to be careful. He warned them not to spend their time having parties or getting drunk. He also said not to worry too much about the problems of this life. If people do those things, they might not be able to think straight. To think straight means to think in a clear and calm way. If we are too busy or worry too much, the end might come as a surprise.

Jesus told his friends to be ready all the time. He told them to pray. He wanted them to be able to get through difficult times. To get through means to finish something that is hard. If they pray, they can stand safe before the Son of Man. The Son of Man is a special name Jesus used for himself.

During the day, Jesus taught the people in the Temple area. At night, he went to the Mount of Olives. This was a large hill near the city. Every morning, the people got up early. They wanted to go to the Temple to listen to Jesus.

This passage teaches us to stay close to God through prayer. Jesus wants us to be ready and to have hope!

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.

My Words Will Live Forever
29 Then Jesus told this story:
“Look at all the trees.
The fig tree is a good example.
30 When it turns green, you know that summer is very near.
31 In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that God’s kingdom is very near.
32 “I assure you that all these things will happen while some of the people of this time are still living.
33 The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever.
Be Ready All the Time
34 “Be careful not to spend your time having parties and getting drunk or worrying about this life.
If you do that, you won’t be able to think straight, and the end might come when you are not ready.
35 It will come as a surprise to everyone on earth.
36 So be ready all the time.
Pray that you will be able to get through all these things that will happen and stand safe before the Son of Man.”
37 During the day Jesus taught the people in the Temple area.
At night he went out of the city and stayed all night on the Mount of Olives.
38 Every morning all the people got up early to go listen to Jesus at the Temple.
Luke 21:29-38 (ERV)