Children's sermon - The Good Samaritan

Children's sermon on the Good Samaritan-

Love means getting your hands dirty
Luke 10:25-37

Children’s sermon idea:

(Option 1) One idea would be to assign children to various roles and produce a spontaneous drama as you read out a paraphrase of the parable. This could be a lot of fun but it takes a bit more time.

(Option 2 Focus on the idea of practical love. Show the children a heart and a rose and discuss how these are often used to remind us (or are symbols) of love. Then hold up a dirty glove. Explain to them that this might also be a symbol or reminder of love. Yes, love is beautiful like a rose but showing true love will mean that we have to “get our hands dirty.” Tell the children about the parable of the Good Samaritan. Some individuals who were very religious didn’t want to get too involved in helping another in need. The Samaritan showed true love when he was willing to take some risks and get his hands dirty by helping out the dying man.

Object needed(option 2) A red paper “heart.” A rose (or something symbolizing romance). A dirty work glove

Complete Children’s Sermon:

Good morning children! Look at these two items I brought in this morning. (Hold up the heart and the flower.) What do these things remind you of? Yes. They usually remind us of LOVE. On Valentines Day we might show our love to someone by giving them a card with a pretty heart painted on it. We might also give someone a flower to show them we love them. But this morning I brought in something else that reminds me of love. (Hold up the dirty work glove.) Now, you might not want to give this to someone on Valentines Day but I will tell you why I think it reminds me of love. Love is indeed a beautiful thing like this rose but showing true love to another person often means “getting our hands dirty.” What are some ways that we might need to wear work gloves in order to show our love is real. (Let the children respond.) That’s right. If they needed help in the garden we could help them by pulling out some weeds. If they needed help cleaning up their house we might put on some gloves and get our hands dirty that way. In our bible reading this morning Jesus told a story called the “good Samaritan.” In this story there was a man who had been beaten up, robbed and was left dying on the side of the road. Some people who were supposed to love walked right around the man. He was dirty and was covered in blood and they didn’t want to get their hands dirty. Then another person came along. He showed real love by bending down, cleaning of the dirt and blood, and by giving him a safe place to spend the night. Jesus said that this man was the real loving neighbour. He was willing to get his hands dirty and show real love.

As I said before, love is a wonderful and beautiful thing. But real love sometimes means we get dirty or help out in a way that is hard to do. Let’s ask God to help us have that type of real love.

Children’s prayer: Dear God, we know that it not always easy to show real love. Help us, through your Holy Spirit to be willing to “get our hands dirty” by helping others out even when it’s hard to do. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

Copyright 2010 Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning at your church but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider putting a link to this web site. Thank you A.H.

Children's sermon - Treasure in Heaven

Treasure in heaven Kids Bible lesson: Luke 12:32-40

Children’s sermon idea: Show the children some “treasured” items that are broken, moth eaten or rusted. Include a picture or drawing of something that was stolen. Remind the children how most of our earthly “treasures” don’t last. Explain how Jesus said we could live life His way and actually have treasure in heaven that would last for ever.

Object lesson items: Worn out, moth eaten or rusted items; some representation of a stolen item;

For dramatic effect: Consider have a garbage can that you can throw discarded items into.

Children’s sermon: Good morning children. This morning I want to show you some of my favourite treasures. Look at this nice watch. This watch cost me a lot of money and it used to be one of my favourite little treasures. But a while ago I discovered it wasn’t working. It is completely broken and it can’t be fixed. I might as well throw it into the garbage. Look at this nice sweater. It was one of my favourite sweaters that I’ve been keeping safe in a storage closet. I was sure it was safe and sound, but look at this hole! Do you know what made this hole? Yes. It was a moth. Moths seem nice and gentle but they actually love to eat the material that this sweater is made of. Now my nice sweater is worthless. I might as well throw it out. Look at this wrench. I bought this a while ago but I left it outside in the rain and now it is so rusted up and it doesn’t work at all. I’ll throw that out too. Now I have one last item to show you. (Hold up a picture of an item that was stolen) Can you tell what this is a picture of? That’s right. It’s a picture of my favourite baseball mitt. I only can show you a picture because the real baseball mitt was stolen from me. I left it on a park bench for a few minutes and when I came back it was gone! Someone had stolen my nice baseball mitt.

In our bible lesson today in Luke chapter 12, Jesus warns us that our earthly treasures don’t last forever. They can break down, rust out, get eaten by moths or can even be stolen. Because they don’t last, we certainly don’t want to spend all our time and energy worrying about those sorts of things. However, Jesus said that we could actually make treasures in heaven that will last forever. He said that when we live life Jesus’ way (Showing love to others, feeding the poor, telling others about Jesus and his love, etc.) we actually are storing up real treasure in heaven. I don’t know exactly what that treasure looks like but Jesus made it clear that these would be wonderful treasures that would last forever.

Children’s prayer: Heavenly Father, Help us not to spend too much of our lives worrying about fancy treasures here on earth. Help us to live life Jesus’ way and have true treasure in heaven. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

Copyright 2010 sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett Feel free to use this on a sunday morning but please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider making a website link to this page. A.H.

Children's Sermon -Take up your Cross

Sunday Lesson – Children’s sermon: Take up your Cross

Show the children a small cross. Show them a full size cross and remind them of how hard it would be to carry a real life size cross. Taking up our cross and following Jesus is sometimes hard and sometimes it hurts. Mark 8: 27-38 Trinity 14

Object lessonprops: small ornamental cross or necklace, large cross (made out of old 2x4s, 4x4s, or even better 6x6s!) take up cross

Children’s sermon: Good Morning Children. This morning one of our bible readings is from Mark chapter 7 where Jesus told his disciples to “take up their cross” and “follow him (Jesus).” (Consider reading the text out loud.) Hmmm. I wonder what he meant?

Look at this cross I have here in my hand. This would be pretty easy to “take up and carry.” Hold this cross in your hands. Do you agree that this cross would be easy to carry around? If this is the type of cross that Jesus was taking about when he said “take up your cross and follow me,” then following Jesus would be pretty easy. But of course this is just a small cross. The cross that Jesus suffered and died on was a very big cross.

(Carry out the life size cross) Look at the size of this cross. Even this one was not as big as the real cross that Jesus had to carry before he died. Feel how heavy it is. (Let some of the children pick it up.) Do you think this cross would be harder to carry around than this little one? When Jesus said we needed to “take up our cross and follow him” he was trying to tell us that following him would sometimes be hard and would sometimes hurt.

These small crosses are to remind us of the big cross that Jesus had to carry and also remind us of how he suffered and laid down his life for us in love. Crosses also remind us that when we follow Jesus it will sometimes hurt – it may even sometime feel like we are dying! So, when you think of the cross, think of the big heavy cross that Jesus had to carry. Think of his love. And remember that following him is not always easy and is even sometimes painful. (Idea: If you had time you could discuss some examples of how following Jesus is sometime inconvenient and sometimes painful.)

Pray: Thank you God that Jesus loved us so much he was willing to take up his cross and suffer for us. Help us to be willing to “take up our own cross” and suffer for Jesus. Thank you God for your great love and for your Holy Spirit who will give us strength and joy even when following you is hard to do. – In Jesus’ name, Amen!

(Consider getting the children to leave the room, helping one another carry the large cross)

Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett sundaychildrensfocus.com Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus and consider linking to this site. Thank you. A.H.

Children's Sermon for All Saints Day

Children's Sermon for All Saints Day

Idea for Children’s Sermon: All Saint’s Day

Show the children your family photo album. Show the children your pictures telling them about your family roots. Highlight some heroic deeds and tell them how proud you are to be a descendant. Bring out the Bible and tell them that as well as our natural family we are also part of the family of God. The Bible is our “family history” telling the story of our ancestors in faith that we call Saints.

Object Lesson Props: (1) A Bible, (2) your family photo album

Full Children’s Sermon:

Good morning children. Many churches celebrate this Sunday as “All Saints Day.” On this day we remember all the believers in the family of God that have gone before us, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and others that we read about in the bible as well as the many other men and women of God who were disciples of Jesus Christ down through the ages. I want to say more about this but first I wanted to show you something I brought from home. (Hold up your family photo album.) Do you know what this is? That’s right. It’s my family picture album. I’d love to show it to you. Look at this elderly man here. This is my grandfather Ernie. He was a wonderful man. He had a bad leg because he was injured in the war but he worked very hard on his orchard growing apples. I’ve always been inspired by how much he loved us and how he was such a hard worker. And here is my grandmother MacKinnon. In the summers we used to go with her to the lake. She was very caring and looked after us if we ever got hurt. I often look at this photo album because it reminds me of family members I used to know and even one that I never got to meet because they died before I was born. (Put down the photo album and hold up your bible.) Do you know what this book this is? Right, it’s a bible. I like reading the bible too. As believers in Jesus Christ we are all part of the family of God. The bible is a book about members of the family of God that goes back many, many years. (Open up the bible.) This part of the bible talks about a man names Abraham who had great trust in God. This part talks about Moses who led God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. This part talks about God’s son Jesus and about the disciples, John, James, Peter, etc. We call them Saints. Saints are people who have been “set apart” for God’s holy / special purposes. In a sense we are all saints, but we like to specially remember them because they knew Jesus and were the first to follow him. What I want you to understand is that these Saints that are mentioned in the bible are really part of our family – the family of God. So you see that the bible is like our family album. It tells the story of great men and women of faith in the family of God; the same faith family that we belong to!

Children’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many and wonderful saints that followed Jesus down through the ages. Help us to follow their good examples and to remember what a blessing it is to be in the same family of faith. We ask this in Jesus’ name – Amen!

Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking to this site. Thank you. A.H.

Children's sermon for Lent

Children's sermon for Lent -
Themes: Lent, reflect, prayer, spiritual danger, listening to God

Bible Texts: Phil.4:6, Col.4:2, Eph. 6 :18

Children's Sermon idea: When crossing a street to get to where we want to go it is best to Stop, Look and Listen before crossing. The season of Lent(a time of prayer and self examination) is about taking time to Stop, Look and Listen on our life journey.

Full Children's Story: Good morning boys and girls. In about 40 days we will be celebrating Easter. That’s the time we celebrate Jesus being raised from the dead. In our church we call this 40 day preparation period Lent. It’s a special season of prayer where we take a look at our own lives and make sure we are doing what God wants us to do and becoming the people God wants us to be. Now, everyone stand up and follow me. I want you to pretend someone has asked us to come and play in the park. Let’s go! (Make a little trip around the pulpit, past some chairs and get them to stop up front) Ok, there is park; it looks like they are having fun there. But first let’s pretend there is a road right in front of us here. What should we do? Should we just go straight across? (Let the children respond.) That’s right. We need to STOP. (Have the children join you as if you were all lined up on the edge of a road ready to cross.) Then what should we do after stopping? That’s right we need to LOOK to see if a car is coming. (Get them to look both ways.) Then what? That’s right we need to LISTEN. (Put you hands up and cup your ears.) OK, we took time to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN. It looks safe so now we can cross. Great! (To the congregation:) Let’s give the children a cheer for helping me out so well here. (I’m always getting the congregation to clap and cheer in order for the kids to feel build up and affirmed.)

Children, what you have just done is very important. If we are going to keep safe while going to all the exciting places we want to go to we need to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN before crossing streets. In life it is important to do the same thing. We get so busy and we are often in a rush. It’s very important that we take time to STOP, to LOOK around and think about what we are doing. Are we doing what God wants us to do? Are we becoming the sort of person that God wants us to be? And we need to LISTEN to God, by reading the Bible and taking time to pray. This season of Lent that I mentioned before is a great time to do just that. If we do take time to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN we can make sure our lives our lined up with God, that we are safe and that we will enjoy all the wonderful adventures that God has for us.

Pray: Dear God. Help us always remember to take time to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN when we are crossing a street. Help us also to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN especially during this time of year called Lent.

Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett - sundaychildrensfocus.com Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking to this site. Thanks - A.H.

Children's sermon Mary and Martha

Mary and Martha(Luke 10:38-42)– Spending time with Jesus

Kids talk Mary and Martha

Children’s sermon idea: Place a chair up front and ask the children to imagine that Jesus came in person to visit. Lead the children off to the side and explain all the wonderful things you could cook and prepare for Jesus. (Have kitchen items there: egg beaters, mixing bowls, etc.) Then explain that it might be even more important to just sit and be with Jesus. Lead the children back to the chair and all sit down at the feet of Jesus. Tell them the biblical account of Mary and Martha and then lead the children in prayer.

Object lesson items: A chair, some cooking implements,

(Optional: Have “robe” that you can place on one of the children in order to be Jesus.)

Full Children’s Lesson.

Good morning children. This morning I want you to imagine what we would do if Jesus actually came and sat right down in this chair. Wouldn’t that be wonderful! Think of all the things we could do for him. Follow me over here to the side to this little table. Look at these cooking tools. We could make Jesus and wonderful cake. We could mix up the eggs with this egg beater…(continue to interact with the children.) Well, this is a lot of fun but I think something is wrong. We would have left Jesus all alone in that chair. Let’s go back and sit down around this chair. (Lead the children back to the chair and sit down “at the feet of Jesus.” There, I think that’s better. It’s wonderful to do things for Jesus but I think it is even more important to just spend time with him. There is a story in Luke’s gospel about two women named Mary and Martha. Jesus came to visit and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet talking to him. Her sister Martha spent time running around preparing things for dinner. She was so busy she hardly had time to talk to Jesus. Jesus said that it was Mary who was doing the most important thing at that moment. Mary wanted to just spend time with Jesus and Jesus wanted to spend time with Mary. It was certainly nice that Martha was doing all that work preparing dinner but Jesus wanted to spend time with her too. It’s good for us do things for Jesus but sometimes it’s more important to just sit quietly and remember that he is with us and loves us. We can’t see Jesus but he promised us that he is with us wherever we go. When we read the bible it’s a bit like spending time with Jesus because the bible is God’s word or message. Praying is also like spending time with Jesus. When we pray, God the Father and his son Jesus really do listen to us. They really do love us and care for us. They can also speak to us through the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Let’s pray:

Children’s Prayer: Dear God. We really do want to do many things for you. But help us not to get so busy we forget to spend time with you and forget to enjoy the wonderful love you have for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Children's sermon on Jesus the Cornerstone

Children's talk for Sunday School - Jesus the Cornerstone: The stone the builders rejected

Lectionary: Matt 21:33-46 - For Jr. Youth, Sunday School or Children's church

Children’s Bible message– idea: Make a small tower out of building blocks or books. Explain the importance of the foundational “cornerstones” at the base of your structure. Discuss what might happen if blocks are removed. Ask them what would happen if one of your most important “cornerstones” were removed. Pull out one of these blocks making the structure fall. Explain how the bible says Jesus is like a “cornerstone.” Some people felt he was not needed but we know that he is the most important of all.

(Comment: Scholars are unsure whether this stone is a capstone at the top of an arch, a traditional cornerstone or the locking capstone at the top of intersecting walls. Whatever is the right interpretation the basic message is the same.)

Object lesson items: Building blocks, boxes or Hymns books. Place 3 or 4 key “stones” at the bottom of the structure so that your building will fall if one is removed.

Complete Children’s Sermon: Good morning children! Look what I have in this box this morning. Do you know what these are? Right! They are building blocks. When I was young, I used to love building things with blocks like these. Let’s make a building this morning. (Start by making the appropriate foundation and then ask the children to help you build the structure.) Please give me a hand. Thank you for helping. It’s looking like a nice building. Let’s make it nice and tall. Now, what would happen if I took one of these blocks of the very top? That’s right. I don’t think it would matter that much. Do you see these “stones” at the bottom? These are “cornerstones.” They are very important. What do you think will happen if I removed one of these cornerstones? Hmmm. Let’s find out. I’m going to take out this one and throw it away. (Let the building crash to the ground.) Wow! That was not a very good idea. It really came crashing to the ground. The cornerstone(s) is the most important stone of the whole building. Our bible reading today says that Jesus is like a cornerstone that the builders decided to throw away. However, that wasn’t very smart because Jesus was the most important “stone” of all. If we try, build our lives or a church without Jesus it will probably end up like this building here. So always remember to make Jesus the most important part of your life.

Children’s Prayer: Dear God. Thank you for sending Jesus to be like a strong cornerstone on which we can build our lives. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

Copyright 2011 SundayChildrensFocus.com Andrew Hewlett - Feel free to use this lesson at your Sunday service but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking your web page to this site. Thank you. A.H.

Children's sermon on the persecuted church

Lectionary

Children’s sermon on the persecuted church

Kid’s message on the persecuted church – those suffering for Jesus

Basic idea: Engage the children in pretending you are early Christians trying to hide from Roman soldiers 2000 years ago. To add to the drama by placing some secret fish symbols in various places leading the way to where you will secretly worship. Explain how Christians still must do this in some countries today.

(Ahead of time: Place some secret fish symbols on door posts and hallways. This might lead to a secret room where you will open and read from a hidden bible. ) fish symbol persecuted church

Hold up a Christian fish symbol. Ask the children where they have seen this sign. Explain how the early Christians sometimes used this as a secret symbol during times of persecution. Then ask the children to very quiet and imagine they are hiding from Roman soldiers. Lead the way and help them to discover the “secret” Christian fish symbols on the way to the meeting place. When you arrive at the secret location find a “hidden” bible and read out some encouraging bible passages in hushed tones.

Debrief: Explain how thankful we are that we live in a time and place where we don’t have to be afraid of following Christ. (That being said, you could give examples of how Christians are sometime made fun of because of their faith in Jesus) Let the children know that in some places of the world Christians must to hide and even suffer greatly for their faith. Lead in prayer for the persecuted church (their brothers and sisters in Christ)

Children’s prayer: Dear God, thank you that we live in a country where we can freely talk about Jesus and his love. Please help our Christian brothers and sisters (and show us how we might help them) in those places where they are suffering for being followers of Jesus. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

Sundaychildrensfocus – Andrew Hewlett 2021

Children's sermon on the widow's mite

Short Fun Children's Sermon on the Widow's offering (or The Widow's Mite)

Mark 12: 38-43 Children's message for Trinity 22 - a Widow's offering

Children’s Sermon Idea: Spontaneous Drama: Have one of the children pour a large container of coins into a box. Add pomp and ceremony with the kids doing cheering, drum rolls and trumpets. Have another child come up and add two pennies. Discuss with the children the astounding truth that she actually gave more.

Object Lesson items: (1) Large jar with many coins. For the paper money you could use monopoly money if you have it. (2) Two pennies (3) Some box to serve as the treasury container. A metal box will produce better sound effects.

Full Widow’s Mite Children’s Sermon: Good morning children. Today’s bible reading is from Mark 12 where we hear about people bringing offerings to the temple treasury. Some of the rich people liked to be noticed (or show off) when they gave large amounts of money. But this didn’t impress Jesus. I’ll show you what it was like that day. Here is a jar with a large amount of money in it. I need someone to pretend to be the rich person. Thank you Michael. The rest of you children can help celebrate as this large offering of money is put into this treasury box. Let’s practice doing a drum roll with our hands on the benches just like this. (Have a little drum roll practice) That’s great. Now, what would really draw attention to this great offering gift would be some trumpets. Let’s pretend to make the trumpets sound (da da da dat tad ah!). On that day in the temple there was also an older lady who was a poor widow. She was only able to give two small coins. I need another volunteer to be that poor lady. Thank you Carol. Here are two pennies. I’ll explain what to do when we come to your part.

Let’s act it out now. One day Jesus was watching as people were putting money in the temple treasury. Rich people came and put in large sums of money. As Michael walks forward to give his huge offering lets do a drum roll. (Start the drum roll and get the children to follow along.) Now let’s sound the trumpets. (Start a trumpet call and get the children to follow along). Now Michael, impress us by pouring in your large offering. Let’s listen to see if the congregation is impressed. (Hopefully they will join in with Oooos and Wows as the money is poured into the box.) That was impressive. Then there was a poor widow who came up and put in two small coins. Hardly anyone noticed at all. (Motion to the girl to put in the small coins.) What is amazing about this event is that after Jesus saw this he told his disciples that it was this poor widow that gave the most of all! Jesus said that she gave all the money she had. The large sums of money looked impressive but it was really just extra money. In God’s eyes the poor widow actually gave more because she gave everything she had. If we could hear what was going on in heaven the loudest cheering would happen when the poor widow gave!

Members of the congregation. Let’s give these children a hand for helping out so will with my little skit.

Children’s Prayer: Dear God. Help us to be generous in giving for your work. We may not be very rich but Jesus showed us that what little we give can actually be a lot in God’s eyes. If we ever do have large amounts of money to give, help us not to show off but rather be thankful to you for what we have. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Copyright Andrew Hewlett - Please use this on Sunday morning but link to this sight of "Like" us on facebook. Thank you! A.H.

Children's Serrmon -Transfiguration -listen to Jesus

Children’s sermon on the TransfigurationLuke: 9:28-36 Mark 9:2-9

Children’s sermon/ Sunday School lessonintro:

This story focuses on the father’s words: “This is my son…Listen to Him.” Give a short overview of the transfiguration. Have everyone in the congregation call out at the same time and give some “advise” to the children sitting up front. It’s confusing and chaotic. Explain to the children that it’s most important that we “Listen to Jesus” in the study of the bible (that contain the life and teachings of Jesus) and in prayer.

Objects needed: None.

Full Children’s Sermon: Good morning children. Today’s bible reading from Luke chapter 9 is called the Transfiguration. It is about a special day when Peter, James and John went up on a mountain with Jesus to pray. When they were there two other great leaders, Elijah and Moses, miraculously appeared beside Jesus. All three of them glowed like dazzling while lights and they began to speak to the disciples. It was quite an experience! Peter didn’t know what to do. He started running around in a fluster not knowing what to do or say. Then a voice from heaven said “This is my Son, whom I have chosen, Listen to Him.” God the Father was saying that Peter needed to slow down and listen to Jesus. I think that is also pretty good advice for us today. There are many people telling us what to do and how to live our lives. I think it is so important that we Listen to Jesus. If we try to listen to everyone we will just get confused. I’ll show you what I mean. Let’s think of a question we can ask the congregation. Here’s a question. Let’s ask the congregation how we should live and what we should do with our lives. Members of the congregation when I count to three I want you to call out together how you think these children should live and what they should do with their lives. Ready? Listen closely children. 1, 2, 3 Go. (Let the children listen to the chaos for a few seconds and then give a “time out” gesture to the congregation.) Well children. Was that helpful? No? Why not? You’re right. It was a very confusing trying to listen to everybody. It was crazy!. I think this teaches us something important. Sometimes it can get very confusing trying to listen to everyone’s advice. Sometimes everyone we talk to has a different idea of what we should do or not do. We need to remember what our Heavenly Father said to Peter up on the mountain of transfiguration when he was confused. He said to Peter, “This is my Son whom I have chosen, Listen to Him!” Listening to God’s Son Jesus is so very important. Getting ideas and suggestions from other people is important but it is most important that we listen to Jesus. We can listen to Jesus by reading about the life of Jesus in the bible. We can read what he said and taught and we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand too.

Children’s Prayer; Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding Peter to listen to your son Jesus. Help us to listen to Jesus as well. Life can get pretty confusing trying to listen to everybody’s advice. Through your Holy Spirit help us to hear and know your son Jesus more and more each day. Amen!

Copyright Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett - Feel free to use this lesson on Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider putting a link to this web site. A.H.

Children's story on Jesus the Vine

Children's Object Lesson on Jesus the Vine

Bible Text: John 15:1-8

Theme:Jesus is the Vine. Stay connected to Him in order to live and produce fruit.

Children's Sermon Idea: Get a household potted plant or vine. The day before cut off a branch and let it wither in the sun. Stick the withered branch back in the soil just before presenting the children’s story. See if the children can guess which branch is truly connected to the vine. Discuss the difference and reflect on what Jesus said about being connected with him.

Full Children's Sermon /Object lesson: Good morning children! I’d like to read from the Bible something that Jesus said. (Read out the section where Jesus said he is the vine and we are the branches and that we must abide in himin order to produce fruit) To help us understand what Jesus was talking about I brought something with me this morning. Here it is. It is a vine (or plant) that I brought from my home. Look at it carefully there are two main branches here coming from the flower pot. How do they look to you? (Someone will probably comment on the fact that one is limp and withered up) Which one of these looks healthiest? Why do you think this branch here looks so dead? (The children will probably want to see if the branch is really connected to the rest of the vine and plant.) Well, let’s look carefully. This healthy branch is connected will to the plant vine. Let see how this branch is connected. Give a light pull in order to expose that the branch has been broken off and is just sticking in the soil without being connected. Ah ha! You were right! This branch wasn’t even connected to the vine. Why do you think it dries up when it is not connected? (Discuss how water and nutrients travel from the vine out to the individual branches.)

I think you understand how this works pretty well. Jesus said that he was like a Vine and we are like the Branches. He wanted us to see how important it to be connected to him and to understand how we would wither and dry up if we broke away from him – just like this poor little branch. (Hold up the withered branch.) I think we all want to be like this healthy branch that is getting water and nutrients from the vine making very healthy. If this was a grape vine it could then produce beautiful, delicious grapes. (Consider discussing how we can stay connected through prayer, obeying what Jesus wants us to do, and through our connection with the body of Christ - the Church. It would also be a great opportunity to discuss the Fruit of the Spirit that God wants us to produce).

Pray. Lord. Jesus said he is the Vine and we are the branches. Help us to be like this healthy branch by being connected closely to Jesus the Vine. Thank you that then our lives will produce good fruit as well. In Jesus’ name – Amen.

(Use this kids sermonbut please give credit to sundaychildensfocus.com. Please consider making a link to your web site)

Childrens sermon - Simon becomes Peter the rock

John 1: 29-42 kids sermon - Simon becomes Peter the rock

Jesus helps us to be what we were created to be. Simon is named Peter the rock.

Children’s sermon idea: Jesus saw Simon for what he could and would become. Use a seed, acorn or small plant as an object lesson of show how God can make us into so much more than we are now. In the same way Jesus planned for Simon to become Peter (rock / stone) he also wants to help us to become all that he created us to be.

Object lesson items: An acorn, some seeds, a small plant / tree that is just pushing through the soil in a pot.

Children’s Sermon: Good morning children! In our Bible reading today from John’s gospel we read about how Jesus and Simon first met. When Jesus saw Simon he said that he was to have a new name. He was to be called Peter the rock. Now Simon – Peter was not like a strong rock at first. He kept changing his mind and he was afraid to follow Jesus when things got tough. But Jesus saw what Simon could become if he followed him and was filled by the Holy Spirit.

Look at this little plant in this small pot. It doesn’t look very big or strong. But believe it or not, this little shoot may one day become a huge fir tree this big around and over a hundred feet tall!

Do you see this little acorn? It’s very small but one day it might become a big oak tree. The exciting thing about this little plant or this little acorn is what they can become one day.

Jesus knew that Simon would one day become a Peter, strong and solid as a rock. You might think that you are very young and small. But God knows that one day you will probably be a strong follower of Jesus doing wonderful things for his Kingdom. So remember, if we truly follow Jesus he will make us into the “strong as a rock” people of God. He sees us for what we are but also what we can become.

Children’s Prayer: Dear God. Thank you for making Simon into Peter the rock. Thank you that if we follow Jesus, you’ll make us into strong followers and Christian disciples. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

Childrens Sermon - The Cost of Following Jesus

Children's Sermon: The Cost of Following Jesus Luke 9:51-62

For Sunday School or Children's church

Children’s Sermon idea:

Hold up various items and ask the children how much they think the item cost. Pull out your wallet and place the money on a chair or table. Hold up a cross as a sign of following Jesus. Ask the children how much money it costs to follow Jesus. Explain that following Jesus costs us everything; much more than money. Step on to the chairor table (where you’ve been laying down the money) and explain that following Jesus means giving our whole lives to Jesus.

Full Children’s sermon:

Good morning children. Are you good a guessing how much things cost? How about this chocolate bar? How much do you think it costs? I’ll put down 50 cents here on the chair. Is that enough? No. How about if I add another 25 cents? That makes 75 cents and that’s about right I’d say it costs about that much. How about this ticket to a baseball game? How much do you think it costs? (Go through a similar routine as before placing money on the chair beside the ticket or whatever item you use.)

(Hold up a cross or tape a picture of a cross onto the back of a chair) Now here is a tricky question. How much does it cost to follow Jesus? I’ll use this cross as a sign or symbol of following Jesus. Does it cost 5 dollars? (Place 5 dollars down on the chair) Does it cost 20 dollars? (|Add that to the money)

Let’s just stop there. I want you to know that we can’t become a follower of Jesus by paying a bunch of money. We don’t have to pay money to follow Jesus. He paid everything for us already. However, Jesus said to follow him would cost us everything. (Stand up on the chair where you have been putting down the money) Jesus said we need to give our whole lives to Him. That’s why I’m standing here. I’m not just giving money; I’m giving my whole life. Some may think the cost is too high but Jesus loves us and wants us to discover his wonderful life. When we give our whole selves to Jesus we begin to discover his life, power and love. Following Jesus costs us everything but it is really worth it.

Children’s Prayer: Dear God, help us to give our whole lives to you. We know that following Jesus will be hard sometimes but we also know that you will keep us in your love and will help to make our life a wonderful and exciting adventure.

Copyright Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett Feel free to use this story in Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychidrensfocus.com and consider linking to this web site. Thank you A.H.

Clean on the inside

Children’s sermon: Clean on the inside.

This children’s object lessonis based on Jesus’ teaching in Mark 7 regarding what makes a person unclean. (Lectionary – Trinity 12)

Object lesson props: Plastic tub with soap, water and a towel

Children’s Lesson: Good Morning Children. Look what I have here this morning. I’ve got a big tub of soapy water so I can wash my hands. (Set the water down in front of the children and begin washing your hands. Ask if any of them need to clean their hands as well. Dry off your hands.) Cleaning our hands is an important thing to do because it washes away dirt and germs that we can’t even see. However, in our bible reading this morning in the Gospel of Mark (chapter 7) Jesus talked to some of the religious leaders about washing hands and it turns out that they were more concerned about having clean hands than they were about having clean hearts! It’s good to have clean hands but God is far more concerned about what we are like on the inside. What is most important is to clean up is the things that make us dirty on the inside (selfishness, pride, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc). Having a shower or a bath won’t clean us on the inside. There are things we can do to help us be clean on the inside. If we have bitterness towards another person we can ask God to help us forgive them. If we have done something wrong we can ask God for forgiveness. If we are having trouble following Jesus we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us. In this way God will help us be clean on the inside and not just the outside.

Pray: Dear God, help us to be clean on the outside and the inside of our lives. Thank you for the complete cleansing and forgiveness that we have through your son Jesus Christ. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so we can be clean on the inside and live lives pleasing to you. In Jesus name. Amen!

Copyright Andrew Hewlett Sundaychildrensfocus.com Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but please give credit to SundayChildrensFocus.com and consider linking to this site. Blessings, A.H.

Come away - Resting in Jesus

Sundaychildrensfocus Mark6 - Come away with Jesus to a quiet place - Spending time with Jesus

In Mark 6:31 Jesus said: “Come away with me to a quite place and get some rest.” (Rough Draft)

Summary: Gather the children up front and tell them you have some important things to tell them / read to them. Prearrange to have a number of people interrupt you with various distractions. (Prayer requests, your cell phone going off, people asking for various things. Have some fun with this.) Explain how it’s not working very well with all the noise and distractions. Tell the children about the Mark chapter 6 where Jesus was tired and exhausted by all the people in need and how he asked his disciple get away with him to a quiet place. Explain how we all need time to withdraw from the crowds and spend some quiet time with Jesus.

Full children’s message for the text this week: (Pre-arrange to have various people interrupt you and distract you.) Good morning children! I want you to gather around me while I read out a very important words from the bible (I’m going to read out some special Jesus sayings from the gospel of John). Begin reading in a soft voice as the interrupting people come forward with various requests. Be friendly but make it clear that your quiet time with the children is not working very well with all the disruptions.

Debrief: Well children, I’m not sure if you heard those important words from the bible with all the people bothering us. In the Gospel of Mark (chapter 6) it says that Jesus and the disciples were healing people and doing wonderful things. However, there were so many people in need they were getting exhausted. Jesus encouraged the disciples to come away with him to a quiet place where they could get some rest.

In our lives we can become so busy and bothered that we need to get away and spend time alone with Jesus. In fact, I think we should find some time ever day just to be alone with Jesus. We don’t need to go far. It might be in a quiet room in the house or your favourite spot outside in the yard.(Just make sure you tell your parents where you are.) It just needs to be some place that is quiet. We could read our bible, pray or just be rest quietly. You might think of Jesus and the wonderful things he did or listen for his still small voice of love and assurance. Jesus wanted to spend time alone with the disciples and he also wants to spend quiet time with us as well.

Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you that Jesus wanted his disciples to come away with him to be together and find rest. Please help us to set aside some time in our busy day) to rest with you and your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

Copyright Andrew Hewlett (and Sunday Childrens Focus) Feel free to use this on Sunday but please facebook "like" this page (on left side of menu) and consider linking your web site. Thank you! A.H.

Jesus with children

discipleship going against the flow

Title: Going against the flow -

(for use as a children's story or a lead in for a sunday school lesson)

Themes: Christian courage, living differently than others,taking a stand for Jesus

Props: Members of the congregation / Time 5-7 minutes

Children's sermon Summary: Get the children to experience what it is like to follow Jesus and “go against the flow.” Gather members of the congregation into the center isle where they stand close together facing one direction. Get the children to experience the difficulty of pushing through the crowd to get to where they are going.

Full lesson: Good morning girls and boys. We all wish it would be easy following Jesus and doing the things he wants us to do. But did you know the Bible says that following Jesus can be very hard. Sometimes we know what Jesus wants us to do but other people want us to do what everybody else is doing. If Jesus is leading us one way in life and other people are going the opposite way we can feel very alone and it can be very hard for us. I’ll show you now a little bit what it is like. (At this point ask members of the congregation nearest the isle to stand up and gather in the center isle. It’s best to have at least 20 or 30 people and get them to stand 4 or 5 abreast. Ask them to stand in one direction and pack in tightly.) Now children, lets see what it’s like going against a crowd when they are headed in the opposite direction that we are. (Ask children to follow you as you push your way through the crowd. If you are afraid the adults in the isle might giggle too much ask them to be a little grumpy as you’re going through). Push your way through the crowd with the kids coming out the other side. Ask the congregation to give them a round of applause for coming through victoriously! Ask the congregation to quickly sit down. (TRANSITION) How did you find that? Was it a little hard going through? (Take time to listen to a few responses) Well, as I said before, that is what it is like following Jesus sometimes. Sometimes it can be hard going in the right direction when so many others are going in the wrong direction. The Good News is that we are never really alone because Jesus promises to be with us always.

Prayer: God, we know that it sometimes very lonely following Jesus especially when many others don’t care. Through your Holy Spirit help us to have the power and courage to stand up and follow Jesus even when it’s lonely or hard. Thank you that Jesus said he would be with us no matter what. In Jesus name. Amen

--Odds and ends: You could also discuss how it was helpful having some others with you as you pushed your way through the crowd. Or perhaps how some of the bigger kids helped the smaller ones go through. You could also flesh this out by giving specific “playground” scenarios of what it means to follow Jesus.

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Discipleship takes work

Title: Discipleship takes work -

Themes for the Children's Sermon: Discipleship, spiritual growth, determination, being spiritually fit

Props:A fitness book or outdoor ed magazine. A pillow.

Summary of Children's Lesson: You can’t get into shape by merely putting a fitness book under your pillow. That’s ridiculous. You need to actually do real exercises. To be a disciple of Jesus we need to do the things God wants – not just think about them.

Full Story: Good morning girls and boys. Are you wide awake this morning? You sound a little tired this morning so why don’t we all do some exercises. (Consider telling the congregation to join in if they look a little tired!) OK. Let’s put our hands in the air and stretch. Wiggle your fingers and give them some exercise. Now, touch you toes. Run on the spot. Jump up and down. (You get the picture) Whoa. That’s hard work. Let’s sit down and get some rest. I find exercise to be hard work. Here is an idea that I thought of that might make getting in shape a little easier. (Hold up your fitness or exercise book) See this book children. It’s a book that tells about all kinds of exercises that can help you get in shape. (Show some of the pictures) Now, here’s my idea. Instead of doing all these hard exercises why don’t I just get this exercise magazine and put it under my pillow at night when I go to bed. (Hold up the pillow and place the book underneath) That will be much easier than actually jogging, doing sit ups, etc. Do you think that is a good idea? Do you think that will help me get in shape? (Interact with the children). No? It won’t work? Why? That’s right boys and girls. If I really want to get in shape it’s not enough to put this book under my pillow or to simply think about doing exercises. I actually have to get out there and do the exercises if I want to get in shape or be an athlete. Transition.

That’s what it’s like being a disciple of Jesus. Being a true follower of Jesus Christ (a disciple) is not just about thinking good things. To be a disciple of Jesus we need to do the things that he wants us to do. (Perhaps give some examples) We can’t get in shape by just thinking about exercise and we can’t be a disciple of Jesus by just thinking about it. We need to get out into the world and do what Jesus wants us to do. Then we will be a true disciple.

Children's Prayer: Lord. Help us, through your Holy Spirit, to be true disciples of your son Jesus Christ by following him and doing the things that he wants us to do. Amen.

copyright 2008 sundaychildrensfocus.com If you use this story on Sunday morning please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider placing a link on your church web site. Thank you! A.H.

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Hearing the voice of Jesus

Helping Children Recognize the Voice of Jesus -

John 10:27 “My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Chidren's Sermon Theme: Learning to recognize the voice of Jesus

Props: None

Basic Children's sermon / Sunday school lesson summary: See if children can recognize their parent’s voice. As Christians they will learn to recognize the voice of Jesus too.

Short Children's Sermon: Good morning boys and girls. Listen to this passage in the Bible. (Read John 10:27) Jesus says that he knows us (his sheep) he will lead us and we can recognize his voice. That’s amazing! How do you think we could recognize the voice of Jesus? Let’s do a little experiment this morning. I’ll pick of few of you to come over here near the front of the church. Now, turn your back to the congregation so that you cannot see the people. Do you think that you can recognize your parent’s voice? Let’s see. (I use a cordless mike so I can walk down into the congregation) Now (child’s name) I want you to listen very carefully to these voices and put your hand up in the air when you hear the real voice of your parent. (Go down into the congregation and ask a few people to say a short phrase such as “Hello Janet it’s me.” When you come to their parent they will recognize their voice (trust me) and put up their hand in the air. When they pick out the voice of their parent get the congregation to give them a cheer. Do this for 2 or 3 children. Gather the children together. You are pretty good at recognizing the voice of your mom or dad. In the same way Jesus said that we would be able to recognize the voice of Jesus. Hearing the voice of Jesus is not always easy. Sometimes it’s like a very still small voice. But Jesus says that if we follow him we will learn to recognize his voice. That is very good news because Jesus is like a shepherd who will lead us into good pasture. If we follow him we will discover the wonderful adventures he has for us as his children.

Children's Prayer: Thank you God for sending Jesus who is like a good shepherd. Thank you that he knows us and that we can learn to recognize his voice and his leading. Help us always to follow Him. Amen

Jesus and the rich young ruler

5 minute Children's Sermon: Rich young ruler

Children’s sermon idea: It has been said that you can catch a monkey by putting a penny in a jar that is fastened to a cord. The monkey will reach in to get the penny but his clenched fist cannot fit out through the small opening. He just cannot let go of the money so he stays stuck. This is just like the account of the rich young ruler in Mark chapter 10.

Objects: vase or jar with a small opening, a penny or some other coin, small piece of string

Full children’s sermon:

Good morning children. Our bible reading this morning is about a young rich man that loved his money so much that he couldn’t let go of it in order to follow Jesus. The bible says that this man just couldn’t let go of his money and that he went away very sad. This bible story reminds me of something else I head a while ago. It is about a way to catch a monkey. I’ve never done this before but I will tell you how it is supposed to work. First of all you get a small jar like this one here and you tie a piece of string around it. Then you get a penny or other coin like this one here and you put it inside. You then hold onto the string and hide around the corner so that you can’t be seen. I show you what then happens. I’ve been told that if a monkey comes by and sees the penny in the jar it will reach inside to get it. When it clenches its fist to hold onto the penny he can’t get his arm outside. It’s stuck because the clenched fist with the penny won’t fit through the opening of the jar. Now you might think that it would be easy to get away. The monkey could simply let go of the coin and then his hand could come out easily. However, most monkeys love holding on to the money and don’t want to let go – and they are trapped. Then you can pull the rope and you have caught the monkey. Now children, I have never done this before but it seems like it might work. Humans can be a little bit like this monkey too. The rich young man in today’s bible story could not let go of his money. Jesus said that he had to let go of his money if he was going to be a disciple. Jesus loved him and wanted him to experience his wonderful new life but unfortunately he just could not let go of his money.

Children’s prayer: Dear God, help us to always to remember that following you and knowing your love is so much greater than all the money in the world. Thank you that we have money for buying the things we need. Yet, may money never trap us and keep us from following you. Amen!

Jesus the bread of Life

Children's Story on Jesus the bread of Life

Object Lesson for Sunday School or Children's Church: John 6:24-35

Children's Sermon Idea: Jesus is the bread of life.

Objects needed: Staff of bread or bread buns, several random household items.

Something to symbolize Jesus (Picture of Jesus or a cross)

Basic idea: Show the children that there is a “stomach” hunger that food can satisfy but there is also a “life” hunger that only Jesus (the bread of life) can satisfy.

Full Story: Good morning Children! This morning I want you to imagine that you are really hungry. Imagine that you haven’t had any food for two days. What would that be like? How would your stomach feel? I’m going to show you some things and I want you to respond by all saying YES and nodding, or all saying NO and shaking your head. Ready? Here we go. Now, what if I gave you this (pull out an object – a wrench). Would that help you? No it wouldn’t. What about this (pull out another object – a hat). Would this satisfy you? No! It wouldn’t. (Continue on with some toys or other objects). Then pull out the bread. What about this bread? YES! You’re right! When we are hungry in our stomachs we need food, like this bread. Only food will satisfy that type of hunger.

This morning children I want to tell you about another type of hunger. It is a hunger for LIFE – a hunger for meaning, for peace, for love. This hunger for real LIFE, the life God gives cannot be filled with things (hold up some items, toys, etc.) The bible says that only Jesus can satisfy that type of hunger. The bible says that Jesus is the Bread of Life. We need this type of bread (hold up the rolls or buns) or food to fill our stomachs and make us healthy. We also need Jesus (hold a picture of Jesus or a cross) who is the bread or food for the true, wonderful, true LIFE that God has for us.

Pray:Thank you God for provide a way that both types of hunger can be satisfied. We have food, such as bread, to fill our stomachs and to make our bodies work properly. Thank you God for also sending Jesus. He is the Bread of Life. Thank you that he is the one who can satisfy our hunger for a life of joy, love, peace and purpose. Help us to trust him, follow him and know him as our friend. We ask this in the name of Jesus – the Bread of Life! Amen.

discipleship

Children's sermon on the Good Samaritan- Love means getting your hands dirty Luke 10:25-37 Children’s sermon idea: