Watch Night

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, New International Reader's Version

There Is a Time for Everything

3There is a time for everything.
There’s a time for everything that is done on earth.

²There is a time to be born.
And there’s a time to die.
There is a time to plant.
And there’s a time to pull up what is planted.
³There is a time to kill.
And there’s a time to heal.
There is a time to tear down.
And there’s a time to build up.
⁴ There is a time to weep.
And there’s a time to laugh.
There is a time to be sad.
And there’s a time to dance.

New International Reader's Version(NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Message:

The writer of Ecclesiastes says that there is a time for everything. Can you think of an example of what the writer meant? I will begin the sentence, and let’s see if together we can finish it.

In the morning, there is a time to get _______. (Allow the children to respond with “up.”)

In the nighttime, there is a time to go to ______. (Allow the children to respond with “bed.”)

In the morning, there is a time to go to _______. (Allow children to respond with “school.”)

In the summer, there is a time to go on _______. (Allow children to respond with “vacation.”.

There is a time to be with your _______. (Allow children to respond with “friends.”)

There is a time to be by yourself and ______ (Allow children to respond with “alone”).

There is a time to help _______. (Allow children to respond with “others.”)

There is a time to take a break and ______. (Allow children to respond with “rest.”)

Can you think of any other examples? (Allow children to provide other examples.)

Our lives have a rhythm to them. There is a pattern that makes life ever-changing. Perhaps our lives are never perfect, but we keep trying for that perfect life. Our lives change, just like the seasons of the year: winter, spring, summer, or fall. Our lives are filled with changes. One thing is certain: no matter how our lives continue to change, we can always rely on the love and grace of God to be with us.

Prayer:

Everlasting God, in all the different times of my life, I know that you love me and that I can trust you. All the days of my life are in your hand as you watch over me. Amen.