Childrens message idea:  Make a small “doorway to heaven” by putting a blanket over a card table or chair. Tell the children we are pretending this is the entrance to heaven or the wonderful life of Jesus. As you ask the children line up quickly to enter, have an individual race to the front of the line and try to enter carrying huge bags of money. Because the rich person won’t let go they can’t fit through. Let the children who are “last” enter in. Tell the children about the rich young man in Mark 10 and the truth that “many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

(Instead of speaking of heaven you could also talk about entering the “Kingdom of God” or the “wonderful life of Jesus Christ”.)

 

Object lesson items:  1. a pretend entrance to heaven / eternal life (Chair with blanket over it or opening cut out of a big piece of cardboard. I’m probably going to label the entrance “The wonderful life of Jesus Christ.” 2. Several large garbage “money bags” filled with paper. Note: An individual “rich man” will need to be prepped.

 

Children’s Sermon: (Have the kids wait a bit until you call them forward.) Good morning children! In our bible reading this morning Jesus said that it’s very hard for rich people to be true followers of Jesus and to experience his wonderful everlasting life. I’m going to try to explain to you what I think Jesus meant.

Do you see this small opening here? Let’s pretend this is a doorway to the wonderful life that Jesus has for his true followers. I would like you to now come forward and line up to enter in. (Have your “rich man” with his money bags immediately burst to the front past the children.) Wow! Sir, that was very fast. You made it right to the front of the line. (They could make some comments, “Well yes, I have all this money so it is only right that I should enter in first ahead of these young kids.”) Well, go ahead if you think you think all that money will help you enter in to the kingdom. (They can’t do it with all the bulky bags of money.) Hmm, I guess you will have to give away some of that money in order to fit through. Ans: “No I can’t possibly give any of my money away; it’s the most important thing in my life.” I’m sorry it looks like you just can’t fit through. I think you’d better step aside and see if any of these children can enter through this opening.

(Let the children come through one by one as the rich man sadly looks on. Plead with him and offer him one more chance. He refuses to let go of his money.)

 

Kids. If we are going to follow Jesus and know his wonderful eternal life, we have to make sure He is the most important thing in our life. Money is important but it won’t get us into heaven.