Actions are important
Children's sermon
Object:
a megaphone
He answered, "I will not"; but later he changed his mind and went. The father
went to the second son and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir"; but he did
not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? (vv. 29-31a)
Good morning, boys and girls! (say loudly through megaphone) How are you today? Can you hear me? I'm very glad to see you all! (take down megaphone) How did you like that? (allow answers) This is called a megaphone. Have you ever seen one of these before? Where have you seen them? People use megaphones to make their voices really loud! They want everyone to hear what they have to say. In our gospel today, Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons. He asked both sons to do some work for him. The first son said, "No." He didn't want to work. But later he changed his mind and did what his father wanted him to do. The second son told his dad he would do it, but decided not to. He stayed home instead. Neither son did what he said he would do! Have you ever done something like that? (allow answers) Maybe you told your mom you wouldn't set the table, but then decided it was the right thing to do and then did it. Or maybe you said you would take the dog for a walk, but maybe you got distracted with a video game and forgot to. How did your parents feel when you did what you were supposed to, even though you said you wouldn't? (allow answers) How did they feel when you didn't do what you said you would? (allow answers)
Jesus' story teaches us that actions speak louder than words. Have you ever heard that saying before? Where did you hear it, or who told you? Do you know what it means? (allow answers) It means that it's better to do something than to just talk about it. For example, let's say I talk about going to Sunday school a lot. If you see me during the week, I might say, "Oh, boy, I can't wait for Sunday school! I love Sunday school!" But on Sunday morning, I'm not at Sunday school! Would you trust what I said the next time you saw me? (allow answers) On the other hand, maybe I don't talk about Sunday school at all when I see you during the week. On Sunday morning, though, I'm ready to learn from my Sunday school teacher. Which way do you think is better? Which way would Jesus think is better? (allow answers)
Jesus wants us to be trustworthy: that means that people can believe you will follow through with the things you say. No matter how loudly you say something, even if you have a megaphone, it doesn't matter if you don't use your actions to back them up. Jesus wants us to do the right thing not just talk about it. So remember that this week: Your actions speak louder than your words. Worry about what you do instead of what you say. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls! (say loudly through megaphone) How are you today? Can you hear me? I'm very glad to see you all! (take down megaphone) How did you like that? (allow answers) This is called a megaphone. Have you ever seen one of these before? Where have you seen them? People use megaphones to make their voices really loud! They want everyone to hear what they have to say. In our gospel today, Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons. He asked both sons to do some work for him. The first son said, "No." He didn't want to work. But later he changed his mind and did what his father wanted him to do. The second son told his dad he would do it, but decided not to. He stayed home instead. Neither son did what he said he would do! Have you ever done something like that? (allow answers) Maybe you told your mom you wouldn't set the table, but then decided it was the right thing to do and then did it. Or maybe you said you would take the dog for a walk, but maybe you got distracted with a video game and forgot to. How did your parents feel when you did what you were supposed to, even though you said you wouldn't? (allow answers) How did they feel when you didn't do what you said you would? (allow answers)
Jesus' story teaches us that actions speak louder than words. Have you ever heard that saying before? Where did you hear it, or who told you? Do you know what it means? (allow answers) It means that it's better to do something than to just talk about it. For example, let's say I talk about going to Sunday school a lot. If you see me during the week, I might say, "Oh, boy, I can't wait for Sunday school! I love Sunday school!" But on Sunday morning, I'm not at Sunday school! Would you trust what I said the next time you saw me? (allow answers) On the other hand, maybe I don't talk about Sunday school at all when I see you during the week. On Sunday morning, though, I'm ready to learn from my Sunday school teacher. Which way do you think is better? Which way would Jesus think is better? (allow answers)
Jesus wants us to be trustworthy: that means that people can believe you will follow through with the things you say. No matter how loudly you say something, even if you have a megaphone, it doesn't matter if you don't use your actions to back them up. Jesus wants us to do the right thing not just talk about it. So remember that this week: Your actions speak louder than your words. Worry about what you do instead of what you say. Amen.
