jesus

  • Children's Sermon on Blind Bartimaeus

    Lectionary

     

    Short Children's Sermon on Blind Bartimaeus - passionately seeking Jesus

       Passionately seeking Jesus   Blind Bartimaeus

    Children’s sermon idea    :

    This Children’s sermon on Blind Bartimaeus emphasizes the importance of passionately calling out to Jesus. Bartimaeus was not content to let Jesus pass by. We should never approach Jesus with a “ho-hum, take it our leave it” attitude. Rather we should passionately seek after Jesus.
     
    Object Lesson Props: Glass of water, 3 people (2 minute prep required) You could also do this spontaneously with members of the congregation. They will automatically get the feel of what is going on. In fact they will try to “out-plead” one another which should be fun
     
     Children’s Sermon
    Good morning children. This morning I want to tell you about a blind man named Bartimaeus. His name means “Son of Timaeus” and he used to beg for money outside the city of Jericho. His story is recorded in chapter 10 of Mark’s gospel. (Read out the passage to the children – it is fairly short.) This is a wonderful story about how Jesus had the power to heal even someone who was blind. However, what I really like about this story is how this blind man Bartimaeus was so determined to get Jesus’ attention.
     
    (Have three individuals who have been prepped come forward. Ask the children to watch closely.) Now children, I found out that these three people from our congregation are thirsty for some water. I’m sure they would love to have this nice cold cup of water that I have in my hand. Let start with you (1) Mr. Jones. Would you like some of this water? (Mr. Jones looks down at the ground and says in a barely audible voice, “I guess so...if you have some…that would be nice.” (He is very shy, tentative and speaks very softly.) Hmmm. O.K. Let also hear from (2)Mr. Smith. Would you like some of this water? (Mr. Smith is very ambivalent, “Well I think it would be good but I’m not really sure. I also have some other juice at home…maybe I can wait. I guess I could have some now or maybe have some later etc.”) Hmmm. O.K. Let also hear from Mr. Green. Hello (3)Mr. Green would you like some of this water?
    (Mr. Green is passionate and enthusiastic.) “Oh please, please. I am so thirsty. I desperately need that water. I won’t make it home without it. It’s so important that I have some of this cool water…”
     
    Well children. Who do you think I should give this water to? (Let the children make a decision. They will no doubt pick Mr. Green. Discuss with the children why Mr. Green should get the water.)
     
    I agree with you children. Let’s give the water to Mr. Green. (Hand him the glass of water) I’ll give it to him because it seemed like he really needed it while the other two people didn’t really care. Mr. Green reminds me of the blind man Bartimaeus in our bible story today. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was coming he believed could help him and he kept calling out loudly. Even when others were telling him to be quite he kept on calling out to Jesus. When Jesus heart him calling out he came over and healed him so that he could see.
     
    We don’t know exactly why Jesus healed some people and passed others by. But I do think it is important for us to boldly call out to Jesus when we are in need – even if other people are telling us to not bother. If we are deeply concerned about something we don’t want to be like these other two men over here who were saying “oh well…maybe I’d like some water…whatever.” We want to be like Mr. Green who boldly asked me to meet his need. Jesus wants us to be true seekers and not casual enquirers.
     
    Children’s Prayer: (Pray boldly and passionately) Lord God. Please give us boldness and courage to seek after you. We know that you love us and that you have good things for us. Help us never to miss out on your wonderful life because we don’t care. Through the power of your Holy Spirit help us to do great things for you and your Kingdom. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen!

    Copyright Andrew Hewlett sundaychildrensfocus.com   Feel free to use this story at your Sunday service but please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking to this site.  Blessings, A.H.

  • Children's sermon on Humility - Hidden from the wise -revealed to children

     Hidden from the wise and learned and revealed to children:  Matthew 11: 25-30

    Interactive object lesson for Sunday School, Children’s Church or Jr. Youth Group  

    Children’s sermon /object lesson idea:

    The basic idea is to have something that young children can see easily see but is difficult for older (wiser) adults to see. Find a very small table. Using duct tape or a hook with string and hang a fun object (perhaps faith related) under the table. The children can easily see it. Have a tall adult come forward. As they look down from on high they won’t be able to see the object. Explain that some things (like God’s amazing love) seem to be easily understood by young children. To understand and see older and wiser people need to humble themselves and get down on their knees (Making themselves like small children).
     

    Object lesson items needed:

    -A small children’s table (preferably with legs shorter than a card table)
    - A Christian symbol, toy, or picture on a string that you can hang down underneath the table
     
    (I would recommend prepping your (older, wise) adult so they work with you well.)

    Complete Children's sermon on Humility

    Good morning children! 
    In our gospel reading this morning from Matthew chapter 11 Jesus says that some things (like the amazing love of Jesus) are “Hidden from the wise and learned but revealed to children.” I thought I would bring someone forward this morning who I think is very wise and learned. Mr. Johnson, would you come forward this morning? Now Mr. Johnson, I think you are pretty smart. You are a scientist who works at the university. How many years did you go to school / university? Wow! That is a long time. Well, this morning I’m going to show you something and I want to know what you see. Ask the children not to say anything and bring out the table with the object hidden underneath. Now Mr. Johnson, I’d like you to look down at this and tell me what you see. (He will just see a blank table top. Encourage him to use all his highly scientific brainpower!) (Now ask the children, who can see under the table, if they see anything that tall and wise Mr. Johnson can’t see.) That’s right! There is a wonderful picture of Jesus with his arms outstretched in love. You could see it because you are not too tall. Mr. Johnson, you still can’t see what they see. Children, what would he need to do if he wanted to see what you see? (They will suggest that he bends down.) That’s right. If he wants to see he is going to have to get down on his knees and make himself small. Encourage Mr. Johnson to do this. (He can moan and groan a bit for effect.)
     
    Jesus said that his teaching was sometimes hidden from the wise and learned but revealed to little children. Going to school and learning is important. However, you could go to school for 20 years and be the smartest person in the world and still not understand Jesus and God’s wonderful love. God will show his love to anybody who simply opens up his or her heart and turns to him. Young children sometimes understand God’s great love more than adults do!
     

    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you that we don’t have to be really old or really smart to understand Jesus and his wonderful love. In Jesus’ name – Amen! 

    Copyright 2014 Andrew Hewlett and Sundaychildrensfocus.com  Feel free to use this kids talk but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus and consider linking your church to this sight.  Thank you! A.H.

  • Children's sermon on Interpreting the Times and Seasons

    Children’s Sermon on Interpreting the Times – Luke 12: 49-57

    Idea for the kids talk on Sunday morning:  Jesus talked about interpreting the weather and interpreting the times. Bring up various items related to different weather conditions. (ie Sun glasses, umbrella, rubber boots, sweater, etc)  Describe different weather conditions and ask the children tell you what item would be appropriate for each type of weather. Give a short overview of Luke 12:9-57 and explain that interpreting the weather is important but it is even more important to understand the times and seasons of life. Conclude by telling the children that it is always the right time and season to follow Jesus.

    Object lesson props:  Unbrella, sweater, rubber boots, sun glasses, sun tan lotion, jacket.

    Full Children’s sermon based on the Lectionary Gospel reading: Good morning Children! Look at some of these things I brought with me this morning. (Alternately, you could come out wearing some of the items!) Do you know what all these items are? Have you ever put on any of these items? Ok, now I want to see if you know when you would wear these items. What if it was a really sunny day with no clouds in the sky? What would be good to wear? That’s right. Putting on the suntan lotion would help prevent a sun burn. Yes, wearing the sun glasses would make it easier on your eyes. Now, what if it was a little bit of cloud with cold wind blowing? Yes, I think it would be a good idea to put on this sweater or wind breaker. Ok, what would I wear before going outside if I looked out and saw big, dark clouds? What should I wear with that type of weather? That’s right, it might be wise to put on a rain jacket because the dark clouds might be a sign that it is going to rain. Well done! You are all very good at interpreting the weather and knowing how to prepare.

    In our bible lesson from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus talked about the importance of “understanding the times”. He said that people can look at the weather and understand how to prepare and what to do.  But for some reason the people didn’t understand Jesus and the need to follow him! They could understand what to do when the sun came out but they didn’t know what to do when God sent His son Jesus! God sent his son Jesus so we could know Him and discover his love. And we know that Jesus is alive and wants us to follow him and to discover his wonderful life.

    So…When you go outside I hope you will remember to check the weather and put on the right clothing. I also hope you will remember that it is always the right time to follow Jesus (to live the way he wants us to live) and discover all we were meant to do and be!

    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, help us to be wise and understand that it is always the right time and season to follow Jesus. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

    Copyright 2016 Sunday Children's Focus - Andrew Hewlett.  Feel free to use this kids lesson on Sunday Morning / Sunday School but please give credit to SundayChildrensFocus.com and consider linking to this web site. Thank you! A.H.

  • 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.
     Widows mite
     
    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 Sermon on the Wonderful Love of Jesus

    Sermon for kids on the love of Jesus   lovesign

    Ephesians 3:18 “How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ?”

    Children’s sermon idea: Ask the children if they know how big the love of Jesus might be. Show various measuring devices (Start with a small ruler, a small measuring tape and then extend a large surveyors tape measure) Read out a paraphrase of Ephesians 3:18. Explain how the love that Christ has for us is so great it’s impossible to measure. We need to ask for God’s supernatural power to help us understand how great and wonderful his love is.

    Object lesson items needed: Ruler, tape measure, etc.

    Full kid’s sermon: Good morning children! One of this morning’s bible readings, from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, is about the wonderful love of Jesus Christ. I want you to think about this question: How big is the love that Jesus has for us? – For you and me? (Let the children respond. Then hold up a ruler). Do you know what this is? Yes. It’s a ruler. We use it to measure things. If I could measure the love of Christ how big would it be? Maybe it is so big that we would have to use a tape measure like this one. (Extend the tape as wide as your hands can go) Do you think Christ’s love for us is this big? No, it’s even bigger than that. Extend the tape out all the way. Is it this big? No, it’s even bigger still. (If you have one extend a surveyors tape the whole length of the church). Is the love that Jesus has for us this big? No, it’s even bigger! The love of Jesus is so big and wonderful that it’s almost impossible to measure and fully understand. In our bible reading today the apostle Paul said that he needed to pray for supernatural wisdom, from the Holy Spirit, in order to understand this amazing love. I believe it’s important for us as well to try to understand how big this love is. So let’s pray:

    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, we know that it’s impossible to measure your love with a ruler or tape measure. Give us special (supernatural) wisdom through your Holy Spirit to try to understand your great love that you have for us. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

    copyright 2018 Andrew Hewlettt and Sundaychildrensfocus.com   Feel free to use this and share it but please give credit to Sunday Children's Focus and "Like" and /or  link to this site.  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:   
     Transfiguration Kids Lesson
    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 for Trinity Sunday


    Children's Story for Trinity Sunday           trinitysymbol



     God is a Trinity (Tri – Unity) Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- (Note: This can also be used as an introduction to a Sunday school lesson.

    Bible text: John 3:1-17 (especially John 3:16-17) (This is a general text that speaks of the ministry of all 3 persons of the Trinity. Any “trinity” text could be used with this story.
    Objects needed: 3 volunteer children
    Basic Children's Sermon Idea: Show some of the classic “three in one” Trinity objects such as an apple, egg, ice etc. and discuss how they are “three” yet still “one.” Then get three children to link arms and stand together so close that they appear to be one unit. Explain how this might be a better picture of the triune God because it involves three living persons. Stress the fact that God is not just a doctrine or an idea. God is a community (little family?) of three living persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
    (Theological note: This image may stress the “threeness” more than the “oneness” of the Trinity, but I still think it is a far better picture than what is conveyed with any of the classic inanimate objects- apple, egg, ice, etc.)    or go here --> more IDEAS for teaching kids about the TRINITY
    Full Children's Sermon:
    Good morning children. Today in our church we call this day Trinity Sunday. It’s a day we celebrate the truth that God is made up of the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. You’ve probably heard all three of those names in some of our prayers and especially when we baptize someone. It’s a bit hard to understand. The bible reveals that there is only one God but that this God is made up of three parts, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The word we use to describe this 3 in 1 God is “Trinity.” That is a word made up of the word “Tri” which mean 3 (EG A tricycle has 3 wheels) and the word “Unity,” which means “One” or being unified together. It is a bit of a mystery that there can be one God yet three parts or persons to God. That’s OK. It makes sense that we humans might not be able to completely understand God. But here are some things that might help us understand how something can be “one” and “three” at the same time. See this egg. It is only one egg yet it is made up of three parts. Do you know what those three parts are? (Let the children respond – Discuss some other things that are both 3 and 1 at the same time) That’s very good children. This morning I want to give you one other example of how God might be 3 in 1. I need three of you children to stand up here on this bench. Now stand as close as you can to each other and link arms like you are joined together. That’s great. You are so close you are one group. You look like you are a little community or family. You are made up of three parts but you are so close together you are really one unit. Maybe this is a little like the Trinity. The nice thing about this picture of God is that it is made up of living persons (unlike the egg, ice, or apple). The wonderful thing about the real God is that he is alive. (Suggestion: You could get your group of 3 persons to give someone a hug) That is so wonderful. Jesus can be our savior and friend, the Holy Spirit can live inside of us and give us life, and we can know the deep love the Father has for us. I’m so glad that the God we serve is known to us in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
     
    Children's Prayer: Dear God. We know that we cannot fully understand how great and wonderful you really are. But we thank you for revealing yourself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit(a Trinity of persons) even though you are still one. Help us to learn more about you and the great love you have for each one of us. We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen!
    Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett and Sundaychildrensfocus.com
    (Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider doing me a favor by putting a link on your web site) Thank you!

     

  • 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.
    Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett   SundayChildrensFocus.com
    (Use this kids sermonbut please give credit to sundaychildensfocus.com. Please consider making a link to your web site)

     

  • Childrens sermon - Love your Enemy

    Kids Valentines Day Lesson– Love your Enemy     Matt 5:38-48

     
    Children’s Sermon idea: I’m doing this “Love your enemies” passage the Sunday after Valentines Day.
    Explain how it’s fun to hand out valentines to your friends. Give (red cut-out hearts) to each child. Part way through ask two other individuals (adults or teens) to come up and pretend to be enemies. (You could ask them to look angry and clench their fist.) Ask the children if these enemies should receive valentine hearts from you. Explain how Jesus said to love our enemies. Give the “enemies” a heart and see how they react.
     
    Object lesson items: Enough red cut out “hearts” for each child.   
     
    Children’s sermon / Bible lesson introduction:
    Good morning children. Did you have fun on Valentines Day? Did any of you get a valentine? Did any of you give a valentine to someone else? That’s wonderful. Giving a little red valentine heart to someone is a nice way of showing your love and care. I’m going to give each of you one of these little red hearts because you are my friends. (Start handing them out.) Oh, I just remembered that I wanted to bring up some other people. Bill and Frank, would you come up here? I want you to pretend that you are an enemy and don’t like me. Let’s see you both make a mad face at me. Wow! That’s scary. Why don’t you clench your fist and hold it in the air. Oooo. That looks very mean. Now, let me keep on giving out my valentine hearts. (Keep handing out your hearts to your friends and then stop when you come to your two enemies.) Hmmm. What should I do now? These two people are my enemies. Do you think I should give them a valentine heart? (Some children will probably say No and so will say yes.) We might think that we shouldn’t because they are our enemies and they don’t like us. But do you know what Jesus said? He said that as Christians we should love our enemies (remind your actors to keep looking mean!) as well as our friends. That wouldn’t make sense to most people but Jesus said that our love was to be a very special type of love. The love of Jesus is to go out to all people – not just our friends. (Consider reading the text from Matt 5.) So, let’s give our enemies here a valentine’s heart and see what happens. (They will probably smile.) Wow. Did you see that? He smiled a bit. We want to show love to everybody because Jesus has shared his love with us. If we do, perhaps that love will help make them a friend some day.
     
    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, we know you want us to learn to love all people, even our enemies. That’s pretty hard to do so please fill us up with your Holy Spirit and help us to know your great love.
    In Jesus’ name – Amen!
     
    Copyright 2011 Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett Feel free to use this lesson on Sunday Morning but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking to this site. Thank you! A.H.

  • 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

    Follow Jesus sign
    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.

  • Christ the King Sunday

    6 Minute Children's sermon - Christ the King Sunday  - The Reign of Christ the King
       

    Jesus is a King        Lectionary: John 18: 33-37   
    Jesus our King   
     
    Children’s Sermon idea: Help the Children understand that Jesus is a King. Have 2 or 3 members of the congregation bring the hat that they wear on the job as part of a uniform. (Police hat, fireman’s hat, hard hat, etc.) Explain that although these individuals look like anyone else they have a special role to play signified by the hat they wear. Hold up a crown and explain that although Jesus looked like a normal human being he was actually a King. Also emphasize that as followers of Jesus we are children of the king.
     
    Object Lessonitems: (1) Some hats the children will recognize (brought by a few members of the congregation).  (2) A crown. This can be made from cardboard and covered with tinfoil.
     
    Full Children’s Sermon / Object Lesson:
    Good morning children. Do you see this hat? (Hold up a police officers hat) What person would wear a hat like this? That’s right, a police officer. Did you know we actually have a police officer who is part of our church family? It’s true. Mr Johnstone is a police officer. Would you please come forward Mr. Johnstone? You look like a pretty normal person, but we know that this is the hat you wear at work and that you are really a police officer. (Put the hat on their head). (Have them remain up front and hold up your next hat and go through a similar explanation. Then hold up the crown). Do you know what this is? Yes, it’s a crown. What sort of person would wear this? Yes, a King! Do we have a King of a foreign country here? No, I don’t think so. However, we are all followers of Jesus and he is a King. When Jesus walked upon the earth he looked like a normal human being, however he was really a King. Although we can’t see Jesus with our eyes we know that he is alive and that he is still a King. As followers of Jesus we are in his Kingdom. In fact we are “Kids of the Kingdom.” We always want to do our best to follow him and come under his Kingly rule. We also believe that he is with us this morning as we worship.
    (Thank your guests and then lead the children in prayer)
    Children’s Prayer: Thank you God for sending Jesus to be our saviour and our friend. Thank you also that he is a King. Help us always to follow him, honour him, and serve him in his Kingdom. Thank you God that we are “kids of the kingdom.” In Jesus Name, Amen

    Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett and SundayChildrensFocus.com  Feel free to use this on Sunday morning but please give credit to SundayChildrensFocus and consider linkng to this web site.  Thanks!  A.H.

  • Christmas - Jesus the Greatest Gift

    Children’s Sermon / Sunday school lesson idea for Christmas Eve.

    holyfamilychristmas

     
    Children’s Sermon idea: Show a beautifully wrapped gift to the children. Discuss the wonders the outward appearance. Unwrap the present and place the plain looking box to the side. Let each child handle the beautiful reflective wrapping paper, the bow, the ribbon and the name tag. Consider displaying the “wrappings” in a place where all can enjoy. Discuss with the children that we can get fascinated by the wrapping and other adornments and forget the main gift. Explain how this can happen with Jesus. We can become so fascinated by things to do with the season that we forget Jesus who is the main gift. 
     
    (Alternate idea/ addition: If you have a baby in the congregation you could give the gift to the child and watch them play with the bow, the box and the ribbon while not understanding that the main gift is inside.)
     
    Object Lessonitems: A small gift in a plain box wrapped in beautiful paper and other adornments.
     
    Full Children’s Sermon/ Object lesson:
     
    Good morning children. Are you all pretty excited about Christmas? Look what I brought along this evening. It’s a beautiful little gift. (Let the children hold it or pass it along) I bet baby Timothy here would like a gift like this. (Hand the gift to the very young child.) Hmmm. It looks like they are trying to eat the wrapping. That’s not quite right. It is very beautiful though. Look at this bow. (Remove it and pass it along.) And look at this paper. (Remove it and pass it along placing the plain box off to the side) Hold it right up to your eyes. It looks very cool. Look at this ribbon. Do you see that wonderful pattern on the top side? And look at the name tag. It has my name written on it. Look at the little Angel picture on the back side. This is some of the most beautiful wrapping I’ve ever seen. I’m going to place it over here where everyone can see it and enjoy it. Good that looks very nice. Now everyone can enjoy seeing it. Great. I guess I should lead us in our usual prayer before sitting back down in the congregation.  Uh oh. Something is missing here. Where is the box that was inside all this nice wrapping? I almost forgot. Look what is inside this plain box. It’s a beautiful and valuable (Diamond, gem, etc. – let the children see it)
    TRANSITION: I was so interested in looking at the outward wrapping that I almost forgot the gift that was inside. The wrapping is only the outward covering. The important thing is the gift inside.
    This reminds me about the Christmas season. There are many wonderful things about Christmas. There are the Christmas trees; there are Christmas lights, wonderful carols, gifts, etc. However, what is most important about Christmas is Jesus; the greatest gift of all. If you received a gift it would be sad if you only enjoyed the paper, the bow and the ribbon and forgot the present inside. At Christmas it would be even worse if you enjoyed the hymns, the lights and the songs and forgot about Jesus! This Christmas let’s remember that Jesus is the greatest gift of all. He was born in a manger many years ago and he is alive today. Although we can’t see him right now we know he is the greatest King of all and that he loves us and leads us into the wonderful life of God. We don’t want to forget that.
     
    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for all the wonderful things about Christmas. Help us to enjoy this season but help us always to remember that Jesus is the most important thing about Christmas.
    We pray that many others would come to know his love and his life. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

    Copyright Andrew Hewlett Sundaychildrensfocus.com   Feel free to use this kids sermon on Sunday morning but please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and please do consider making a link to this site. Blessings, A.H.
     
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  • Christmas Children's Sermon -God's Gift of Jesus

     

    Children's Sermon for Christmas: God's wonderful gift to us

    Children’s sermon idea:      Demonstrate how the greatest Christmas gift is a person; God’s gift of Jesus Christ. Show the children various shapes and sizes of wrapped gifts. Discuss different types of gifts (Money gifts, food gifts, toy gifts) and reflect on what might be the greatest gift someone could give. Include a box large enough for a person to climb in. Surprise the children with a person already inside or ask one of the children to climb in. Explain how Jesus gave the greatest gift of all. He gave himself as as God's gift to the world.
    Jesus Nativity Scene
     
    (I’m going to include this true story that happened to my friend. My friend’s young sister was very sad that her brother was going to be away for Christmas. On a whim, the family decided to secretly fly him back home. He actually got inside a large box addressed to his sister. She was overjoyed when she opened this personal gift on Christmas Day.)
     
    Object lesson items: Various wrapped gifts, A box (preferably wrapped on 3 sides) big enough that someone can climb inside.
     
    Full Children’s Sermon: Good morning Children! Look at all the beautiful gifts that I have up here this morning. Look at this small box here. I’ll give it a shake. What do you think is inside? Yes, it could be some perfume or it could be a small toy. What might be in this box over here? It could be something you could eat like chocolates, peanuts or some gingerbread cookies. (Continue on and discuss different types of gifts that are given at Christmas.) Now, look at this huge box. What kind of gift might be inside? Let’s open it up and see. Have the children help. (Let them discover that the gift is actually a person!) That really surprised you didn’t it! I’ll bet you never expected that a person could be a Christmas gift. (Help the person out of the box).
    We don’t normally think of a living person as a gift. However, the greatest gift in the whole world was a person. His name was Jesus. God always gives good gifts, but the greatest gift of all to each one of us is the gift of Jesus Christ. He didn’t come wrapped up in a box but he was born into the world 2000 years ago in the town of Bethlehem. He is God’s gift to the whole world and that includes each one of us.
     
    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus Christ who is the greatest gift in the whole world. Help us to know his life and his love, and to share that love to others. In Jesus’ name – Amen

    Copyright sundaychildrensfocus.com  Andrew Hewlett  Feel free to use this on Sunday morning but please give credit to Sunday Children's Focus and consider linking to this site.  Blessings - A.H.
     
    Request: Please LIKE this page (left side bar) if you find it helpful - Thanks

     

  • 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)
    Jesus clean inside
     
    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.
     
    Copyright 2008 Sundaychildrensfocus.com    If you use this at your Sunday service please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking your church to this 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
     
    Copyright Andrew Hewlett Sundaychildrensfocus 2009

     

     

     

     

     

  • Imitating Christ's Humility

    Imitating Christ’s Humility  Kids sermon on Philippians 2: 1-13 -

    Basic kids story idea: Have fun getting the children to imitate some people in the church (How Bill plays the bass guitar, how Nic plays the drums or how Bud probably drives his car. Explain that the apostle Paul said that we should all do our best to imitate Jesus Christ. (You might highlight the way he showed loved and made himself as servant.)

    Full Children's sermon: Good morning Children! Do you know what it means to imitate someone? That’s right. It means doing the same things that another person in doing. We never want to imitate someone to make fun of them or embarrass them. That would be unkind. However, this morning I asked some people if it was alright for us to imitate them. Bill said it was ok for us to imitate him playing the bass guitar. Let’s do that now. (Have some fun with this.) Great! I also asked Nic if we could imitate him playing the drums. Ok, let’s see how you can imitate him playing the drums. That’s very good. I also asked Bud if we could imitate the way Bud probably drives his car. Let’s do that. That is very good children! You really are able to imitate different people well.

    This morning we have an important Bible message from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. He tells Christians that they should do their best to imitate Jesus Christ! We should do what we can to live the same way Jesus did. One of the most important things about Jesus was that he showed love to people. Even though he God’s son and was a King he spent his time serving others. He would even help and serve people that were very poor or were considered by others to be unimportant.

    What are some of the ways we can imitate Jesus?(Have a short discussion about things that Jesus did that we can also do to others.) Yes, those are all good ways of imitating the life of Jesus.

    Children’s prayer:  Dear God, thank you for the many ways Jesus loved and served others. Help us to imitate him by showing love and kindness to others. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

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