Put God First!           You can’t serve God and money.    Bible talk  Luke 16:1-13

Copyright Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett 2010. Feel free to use this talk on Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking to this site. Thanks. A.H

Children's sermon on Giving Thanks (Saying Thank you to God)

Basic idea:   

When the children are gathered up front say a brief word about the importance of saying thank you. Ask if there are any members of the congregation that know how to say “Thank you” in their native tongue. Ask them to say it out loud. (You could ask the children to try repeating the phrase) You could include ‘thank you” in sign language. After hearing from 4 or 5 individuals explain how God knows all languages and how we can say thank you to in any language in prayer.

Objects needed – None

Individual from different ethnic backgrounds could be approached ahead of time but you can also just do this spontaneously.

Full Thanksgiving message for the kids:

Good morning children. Do you know what is special about this Sunday? That’s right it is Thanksgiving Sunday. We want to give thanks to God every day, but on this Sunday we want to take time to remember all that things that we are thankful for in Life. What are some of the things that you are thankful for? (Spend a brief moment interacting with the children) Now, when I want to say “thank you” I just use my normal English language and say “Thank you God!”  But, in other countries they say “thank you” in different languages. Let see if there are any people in our congregation that can say “thank you” on a different language. (Ask individuals to stand up and say thank you in their native tongue. It might be fun to see if the children can repeat the phrases in the foreign language. Consider having someone share using sign language. Thank the various individuals who helped out.)

 Now, children as you can see there are many ways to say thank you. The good news is that God is very smart (in fact he knows everything!) and he can understand every language in the world. It doesn’t matter what language we use. The important thing is that we do say thank you to God for the many ways we have been blessed.  Join me now in saying thank you to God.

Children’s Prayer: Dear God, there are so many things we are thankful for (perhaps mention some of the items the children mentioned) but above all we are thankful for your great love that you have for each one of us. Thank you also for sending Jesus to be our Saviour and our friend – In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

(You could also close by having the group give a loud “Thank you God!”)

Note: American Sign Language for Thank You – Place your open hand and fingers up against your closed mouth. Bring your hand out and down toward the individual with your palm facing up.

Copyright 2015 Andrew Hewlett and Sundaychildrensfocus  - Feel free to use this message but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking your web site to this page. Thank you!    - Also...please "Like" this on facebook!

Kids Sermon: For God so Loved the World   John 3:16    

Kids Object Lesson for the summer: "Enjoying God's Creation"

Theme: Enjoying God's Creation  (This is especially for the summer holidays)

Bible Verse: Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Objective: To help kids appreciate and recognize God's handiwork in nature and understand that all of creation points to God's glory and his power. 

Object lesson items

• Cut out stars and planets (paper or foam) or some nice pictures
• Leaves – some nice looking ones
• Pretty rocks
• A Bible (consider using a childrens bible)

Overview for the Teacher/Pastor: This lesson aims to engage children with tangible examples of God's creation, using everyday objects to illustrate the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Through these objects, the children will learn to see God's glory in the heavens and the earth, as described in Psalm 19:1. This will help them to think about God’s blessing while they are having fun in the sun. The lesson includes a reading of the Bible verse, an interactive discussion using the objects, and a short activity to reinforce the message. Of course, change it up any way you want!

Lesson/ talk  Outline:

• Teacher: "Good morning, children! Today, we’re going to talk about how we can enjoy God's creation. This is important because you are going to be spending time playing in the outdoors. Do you know that everything around us is made by God andd shows how amazing He is? Let's read a verse from the Bible that talks about this."

• "Psalm 19:1 says, 'The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.' This means that when we look at the sky and everything in nature, we can see how great God is!"

1. Stars and Planets:
   • (Hold up the cut-out stars and planets)
   • Teacher: "Look at these cool stars and planets! Did you know that the real stars and planets in the sky were made by God? When you look up at the night sky and see the stars twinkling, it's like they are telling us how awesome God is. Each star and planet is part of God's beautiful creation."
2. Leaves:
   • (Pass around the leaves. Or simply hold them up.)
   • Teacher: "Now, let's look at these leaves. Feel how different each one is. God made all the trees and plants, and each leaf is unique. When you see the green trees and the colorful flowers, remember that they show us God's creativity and love for beauty."
3. Pretty Rocks:
   • (Pass around the rocks)
   • Teacher: "Here are some pretty rocks. Look at the different colors and shapes. God made the mountains, the ground we walk on, and even these small rocks. They remind us of God's strength and how He made the earth solid and strong."

Discussion and Reflection:

• Teacher: "Isn't it amazing how we can see God's work in the sky, the trees, and even the rocks? How do you feel when you look at these things? Do you have a favorite part of God's creation?" Interact with the kids.

Optional Activity (especially if you are doing this in a Sunday School class room and not in the church.

• Teacher: "Let's draw our favorite part of God's creation! It could be the stars, the trees, the flowers, or anything else you love. When you're done, we'll share our drawings with each other."

Closing Prayer:

•  Dear God, thank You forr the amazing world You have created. It’s amazing! Help us to see Your glory in the skies, the trees, and everything around us. Teach us to appreciate and care for Your creation as well. In Jesus' - Amen."

Children's sermon ideas: “In my father’s house are many rooms (or KJV Mansions) if it were not so I would have told you…”-

Check out these children's Sunday school object lesson ideas for John 14:1-14, which talks about the many rooms in our Father's house: Stress that we don’t need to worry that it is short of space. Highlight that Jesus said he was going there ahead of us to prepare this wonderful place.

Involve the kids in Building a house: Bring in some toy building blocks and ask the children to help you build a house. Talk about how just as we need many rooms in a house for different people to live in, there are many rooms in our Father's house for all of us. Stress the idea there is lots of room.

Finding Our Way to our true home with God our father: Give each child a small compass and ask them to follow the direction of "home." (You may need to give a bit of an explanation about what a compass in and how it works) Talk about how just as a compass helps us find our way, Jesus is the way to our true home in heaven.

"The Key to Heaven": Bring in a large key (have a wood working friend make one) and talk about how it represents the key to heaven. Ask the children what they think it takes to get the key and discuss how by believing in Jesus, we are given the key to eternal life. Discuss what might be the characteristics of “our our heaven father’s house”.

Work with the children to produce a “Map to Heaven": Bring in (or make) a large map and talk about how it represents the journey to our Father's house. Discuss how by following Jesus, we can find our way to our ultimate destination and home.

-Seek first the Kingdom of God -   Matt. 6: 25-34 also Worry, Ministry, self seeking, seek ye first the Kingdom of God   -

(For use as a Children's Sermonor as an introduction to a creative Sunday School lesson)

(Option: Get the kids to do the acting)

Copyright Andrew Hewlett  2009 sundaychildrensfocus.com   Feel free to use this story at your Sunday morning service but please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com  and consider linking to this site. Thank you! Blessings, A.H.    PS - Please click the facebook "like" button. 

Object lesson ideas for the Trinity -

(Please note: You might want to check with you pastor before presenting these to the congregation. The Trinity (or Tri – Unity of God) is a mystery. All these illustrations fall short on some aspect of our understanding of God. That being said, these ideas can still be helpful for helping kids understand complex issues.

The Egg: (This has been often used by churches) Use a hard-boiled egg to represent the Trinity. Explain that the egg has three parts: the shell, the white, and the yolk, but it is still one egg. Similarly, the Trinity is one God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

Water: Fill three clear glasses with water. Add red food coloring to one glass, blue to another, and yellow to the third. Explain that although the glasses have different colors, they are all still water, just as the Trinity is one God in three distinct persons. (This illustration emphasizes that like God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have the same “essence” or “stuff” of God.

Puzzle Pieces: Bring a jigsaw puzzle, preferably a large children’s puzzle, with three pieces that fit together to form a whole picture. Discuss how each piece is different but necessary to complete the puzzle. Relate this to the Trinity, where each person is distinct but essential to the fullness of God.

Light and Colors: Use a prism to demonstrate how white light is made up of different colors. Explain that although the colors are distinct, they are all part of the same light, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct but part of the same God.

Use an Apple: Cut an apple in half horizontally to reveal the star shape in the core. Explain that the star shape represents the Trinity. The core symbolizes God, and the three visible parts represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Water: Discuss how water can exist in three forms: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (vapor). Relate this to the Trinity, where God exists as three distinct persons. (Please note – in some traditions this may be considered “modalism” – Again – check with your pastor!

Three-Leaf Clover: Use a three-leaf clover to explain the Trinity. Discuss how each leaf is separate but part of the same clover, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are separate but part of the same God.

Please do stress that these object lessons are limited. Our real God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is a living and loving relationship. And the good news is that we are invited into that relationship.

Feel free to share this page and / or link to this web site. Thank you – A. H.

Sunday School Object Lesson: Seeing God Clearly – One day face to face

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV): "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

Object:  

Welding glasses or eclipse glasses (You might have some left over from watching the recent eclipse.) Remind the kids that it is dangerous to look at the sun without special glasses.

Lesson idea:

 Show the children your dark glasses.  These glasses are used to protect our eyes from really bright light, making it hard to see clearly when we wear them. This can illustrate how our understanding of God is limited while we are here on Earth, but one day, we will see Him clearly.

Other items Needed:

• Welding glasses or glasses used to watch an eclipse
• A bright light source (like a flashlight or lamp)
• A clear glass or mirror

1. Introduction:
   • Show the kids the welding glasses or eclipse glasses.
   • Explain that these glasses are used to protect our eyes from very bright light, such as when welding or watching a solar eclipse (as recently happened)
2. Demonstration:
   • Have a child put on the glasses and describe what they see. They won’t be able to see much.
   • Shine the bright light source while they wear the glasses and ask them to describe how clear or unclear things look. Let some other kids try if you have time. Have some fun.
3. Discussion:
   • Explain that wearing these glasses makes it hard to see things clearly.
   • Relate this to the scripture: "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face."
   • Discuss how, just like the glasses make things look dark and unclear, our understanding of God is not complete in this world. We can't see or understand everything about God right now.
4. Scripture Connection:
   • Read 1 Corinthians 13:12 together or read out your own paraphrase version.
   • Explain that the Bible tells us that our knowledge of God is like looking through dark glasses. We can see something, but it's not very clear.
   • But one day, in heaven, we will see God clearly, face to face, and understand Him fully.
5. Illustration with Clear Glass:
   • Show the clear glass or mirror to the children.
   • Explain that just as the clear glass allows us to see things clearly, one day we will see God clearly without any barriers or limitations.
6. Conclusion:
   • Encourage the kids that while we may not understand everything now, we can trust that God has a perfect plan and one day we will know Him completely. You could emphasise that now we do have his Word – the Bible.
   • Emphasize the importance of faith and trust in God, even when things are not clear.
7. Prayer:

“Dear God, we know that there is so much we don’t understand about you. We also wish we could see you clearly. Even though now it’s like we are looking though a dark glass, we are so thankful that one day we will see you face to face. Thank you for the wonderful and certain hope – in Jesus’ name – Amen!

The most important thing. The priority of spending time with Jesus – Luke 10 Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha

Kids sermon idea: Highlight the fact that Jesus cares about us. He wants to spend time with us. Have a volunteer child stand in front of the children. Then ask them to hold some “important” items. (Some toys, some car keys, food, a cell phone etc.) Ask the children to look at the person, and all the items, and ask them what they think is the most important thing. Have some fun. They will probably each suggest what they think is important. Then point out the person holding the items is really what it most important! Use this as a lead in to explain the story of Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha. Mary chose what was most important – spending time of Jesus!

Object lesson props: Various random objects that a child can easily hold.

(Note: Be careful not to teach this in such a way that the ministry of serving is downplayed. You will also want to discuss in practical terms what it means to spend time with Jesus

Children’s focus full story:  Good morning, Children! For my message this morning I need a volunteer. Thank you, Carol. Please stand-up front here so we can all see you. Now, I have a bag of some important items that I am going to get her to hold. Let’s see what I have. Here is a toy. That’s important. Would you please hold this item? Here is another item. It is a cell phone. That’s important. Please hold this item too. (Keep loading them up with various items.) Now, here is what I want you to think about. What is the most important thing here? I think these things are all important, but I want you to tell me what do you think is most important? (Listen to the children explain what item they think is most important.) Those are all good suggestions. However, what I think is most important is not these things; the most important thing is not a thing! It is a person, Carol! I know this was a bit of a trick question. But the point I want to make is that Carol is more important than all these things.

This reminds me of a story in the 10^th chapter of the gospel of Luke where Jesus is visiting Mary and Martha. Mary spent time being with Jesus. But her sister Martha was very upset that she had to all kinds of work to do. When she complained to Jesus, he said that Mary was doing what was most important of all – spending time with Jesus.

Children, we want to do all sorts of things for Jesus (Give some example) However we don’t want to forget that Jesus wants to spend time with us. He loves us and doesn’t want us to be so busy we forget to enjoy his love.  (This is a challenging concept so you may need to give examples of what it means to be like Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet) I want to encourage you children to spend time with Jesus in prayer, in reading what he says in the Bible, in just being quiet, sensing his love. (You might explain that although Jesus promises to be with us always, we get so distracted and can forget that his loving presence is with us. Emphasize both sides of the equation. Jesus loves us and wants to spend time with us. Also, we desperately need to spend time with him.)

Children’s Prayer: (Before starting your prayer consider taking a few seconds for the children to be silent and think of Jesus and the amazing love he has them.) “Dear God, thank you that you love us so much that you (and your son Jesus) want to spend time with us. In the busyness of the day, help us to find time to slow down and remember that you are with us and that you love us with an everlasting love. In Jesus’ name – Amen!”

Copyright 2022 Sundaychildrensfocus.com Feel free to use this but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider “Liking” or linking to this page. Thank you! A.H.

kids sermon idea - Matthew10:24-39  "Even the hairs of your head are numbered " 

The Power of Helping Each Other

Lesson:

Holding up a set of jumper cables

Good morning Children! How are you all today?

Today, I brought something interesting to show you. Does anyone know what these are?

Wait for responses (Give them some hints it they don’t know)

That's right! These are jumper cables. Now, can anyone tell me what we use jumper cables for?

Wait for responses

Exactly! We use jumper cables to help start a car when its battery is dead. Has that ever happened to your family? (There could be some fun responses)

Imagine you’re on a trip with your family and suddenly, the car won't start. It feels a bit scary and frustrating, right? But, if another car with a good battery comes along, we can connect these jumper cables from the working car to the one that isn't starting. The energy from the good battery flows through the cables and helps the other car start again. Isn't that amazing?

Now, think about this: Sometimes in our lives, we feel a bit like that car with a dead battery. Maybe we’re sad, or tired, or just need a little extra help. And that's okay! Because just like cars need help to get going sometimes, we need help from others too.

This is exactly how God created us to be. God didn’t want us to do everything all by ourselves. He wants us to live in a community, helping and supporting each other.

Hold up one end of the jumper cables

This end represents someone who needs help.

Hold up the other end of the jumper cables

And this end represents someone who can give help. When we connect them, something powerful happens. The energy flows through, and together, they make things work.

Let’s think about this in our lives. Maybe you have a friend who’s feeling lonely. You can be the person who connects with them, just like these cables, and make them feel better. Or maybe you need help with something, and a friend or family member can help you out.

And you know what's even better? God is like the ultimate power source. When we feel weak or need strength, we can always pray and ask God for help. He loves us and wants to help us, just like He wants us to help each other.

So remember kids, it’s okay to need help, and it’s wonderful to give help. We’re like these jumper cables, connecting with each other and sharing our strength.

Let's pray and thank God for making us a community:

Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for giving us friends and family who can help us when we need it. Thank you for being our source of strength and love. Help us to always remember to help others and to ask for help when we need it. In  Jesus’ name – Amen!

Copywrite - SundayChildrensfocus.com  - Andrew Hewlett 2024

John 3:16 For God so loved the world - Gods amazing love for us and the whole world!

Youth group object lesson idea: Aim: to Emphasize that God does not just “Like” or “Follow” a few people as with Social media. God knows, follows and loves everybody in the whole world. (If you don’t want to focus attention on social media, or if the children are very young, you could substitute a cell phone for an address book as the main highlighted visual.)

Props needed: A cell phone or an address book with the name of your friends.

Youth sermon: Good morning children! Do you know what this is? Yes, it’s a cell phone. What are some of the things you can do with a cell phone? (let’s them respond) That’s right. You can make phone calls, take pictures, send messages on facebook or Instagram, Etc. Let’s see how many people are in my phone address book…Wow! I have the names of 75 people in my phone contact list. I don’t post on Instagram very often, but I still have 42 “followers!” And let’s look here on facebook. I have 35 “friends!”

I wonder who has the most followers in the world? Or, I wonder who has the most “friends” in the world? (Interact with the youth).

Do you want to know something amazing? There is someone who knows, loves and follows everyone in the whole world. It’s God. The bible says in John 3:16 that God so loved the whole world that he gave his only son…Isn’t that amazing! God actually knows and loves every single person in the world. That would be impossible for us to do. But with God everyone in the world. This would be impossible for us, but not for God. I believe God is thinking about us and following everything we do. And he can do that for every person in the world. Isn’t God amazing! God not only loves you and me, he loves everyone in the world.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the “friends” we have and for all the people that “follow” us and are interested in our lives. But we thank you most of all for being interested in our lives and the lives of every single person the in world. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

Copyright 2023 SundayChildrensFocus and Andrew Hewlett - Feel free to use this but please give credit to this web site and consider linking to the web site. Thank you - A.H.