To the back of the line
Children's sermon
Object:
ticket stubs
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like to go to
see the movies? (Let them answer.) I brought some movie ticket
stubs. (Show the stubs.) They are the torn halves of movie
tickets. That means that I can't use them again. After you buy a
movie ticket, the attendant tears it in two and gives you half.
These ticket stubs remind me of this morning's lesson. I want to tell you a story about some friends who went to a movie. As I tell the story, ask yourself how you would feel if this happened to you. You go to a movie with some friends. There is a very long line of people waiting to get in just like you are waiting. You wait and wait. The line doesn't seem to be moving at all. Suddenly, you see two more of your friends. They've come to the movie together. Instead of going all the way to the back of the line, they push everyone aside and go right up to the front of the line! How would you feel if that happened to you? (Let them answer.) I bet you'd say, "Hey, wait a minute. I've stood in line for a long time. You aren't any more special than I am. I won't let you in the front of the line. You must take your turn. Go to the back of the line." Do any of you think that you'd say that? (Let them answer.)
Well, something like this happened to Jesus and two of his disciples, named James and John. These two men went to Jesus and asked to be his most important disciples. They wanted to butt in the front of the line! The other disciples didn't like this. They became angry with James and John.
When Jesus realized what the disciples were arguing about, he told them something important. Jesus said that to be a follower of Jesus you must be a servant. The disciples didn't understand this. Here's what it means. If you want to follow Jesus one thing that you must do is to serve others. That means help people who are in need. Be friendly to people who need a friend. Be kind to people who are lonely. The next time you go to a movie and see a long line, think of Jesus. To be a follower of Jesus you must serve and help others. It also means not to butt in front of the line. Instead take your place in the back of the line.
These ticket stubs remind me of this morning's lesson. I want to tell you a story about some friends who went to a movie. As I tell the story, ask yourself how you would feel if this happened to you. You go to a movie with some friends. There is a very long line of people waiting to get in just like you are waiting. You wait and wait. The line doesn't seem to be moving at all. Suddenly, you see two more of your friends. They've come to the movie together. Instead of going all the way to the back of the line, they push everyone aside and go right up to the front of the line! How would you feel if that happened to you? (Let them answer.) I bet you'd say, "Hey, wait a minute. I've stood in line for a long time. You aren't any more special than I am. I won't let you in the front of the line. You must take your turn. Go to the back of the line." Do any of you think that you'd say that? (Let them answer.)
Well, something like this happened to Jesus and two of his disciples, named James and John. These two men went to Jesus and asked to be his most important disciples. They wanted to butt in the front of the line! The other disciples didn't like this. They became angry with James and John.
When Jesus realized what the disciples were arguing about, he told them something important. Jesus said that to be a follower of Jesus you must be a servant. The disciples didn't understand this. Here's what it means. If you want to follow Jesus one thing that you must do is to serve others. That means help people who are in need. Be friendly to people who need a friend. Be kind to people who are lonely. The next time you go to a movie and see a long line, think of Jesus. To be a follower of Jesus you must serve and help others. It also means not to butt in front of the line. Instead take your place in the back of the line.
