Big shadows
Children's sermon
Object:
a worry stone
So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today. (v. 34)
Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) How many of you have ever been worried about something? (allow answers) Most people have worried about something in their lives. Sometimes worry can keep us awake at night and sometimes worry can make us stop eating. There is an old proverb from Sweden that says, "Worry gives a small thing a big shadow." It means that lots of times, we worry more than we need to. We worry about something that ends up not being a big deal after all.
How many of you have seen a worry stone before? (allow answers; show stone) A worry stone is a small, flat rock that you can keep in your pocket. Usually it has a groove on one side that fits a person's thumb. When you're worried, you're supposed to rub the worry stone. It gives you something to do with your hands -- an escape for your nervous energy!
Today's gospel lesson talks about worry. It says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." What do you think that means? (allow answers)
The gospel is telling us that we shouldn't worry about things we can't control. We don't need to worry about things that are far off -- we have enough things to worry about that are happening right now! If we worry about everything all the time, we will drive ourselves crazy. We would need dozens of worry stones to deal with all that worry! Instead, the Bible is giving us advice for a healthier way to live. Take one day at a time. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't plan ahead for things. It just means that we need to slow down a little bit. Worry about all the little details when they need to be worried about. Tackle one problem at a time. Don't obsess over things like clothing, food, and shelter. God will help provide these things. That doesn't mean that we should stop working and just assume that God will miraculously put food on our table and clothes on our backs -- but it does mean that we don't have to go crazy about it. If we do our part, God will provide. Things will work out. They may not work out in the way that we want them to or expect them to, but with God, all things are possible. He will provide for all our needs. Instead of worrying about earthly things, we should spend our time finding ways to show God's love to our friends and neighbors. What can we do to make someone smile? Does someone need help with their home or their family? How can we make the world a better place in small ways? Keep your worry stone on a shelf. When you have God on your side, you don't need it any more. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) How many of you have ever been worried about something? (allow answers) Most people have worried about something in their lives. Sometimes worry can keep us awake at night and sometimes worry can make us stop eating. There is an old proverb from Sweden that says, "Worry gives a small thing a big shadow." It means that lots of times, we worry more than we need to. We worry about something that ends up not being a big deal after all.
How many of you have seen a worry stone before? (allow answers; show stone) A worry stone is a small, flat rock that you can keep in your pocket. Usually it has a groove on one side that fits a person's thumb. When you're worried, you're supposed to rub the worry stone. It gives you something to do with your hands -- an escape for your nervous energy!
Today's gospel lesson talks about worry. It says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." What do you think that means? (allow answers)
The gospel is telling us that we shouldn't worry about things we can't control. We don't need to worry about things that are far off -- we have enough things to worry about that are happening right now! If we worry about everything all the time, we will drive ourselves crazy. We would need dozens of worry stones to deal with all that worry! Instead, the Bible is giving us advice for a healthier way to live. Take one day at a time. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't plan ahead for things. It just means that we need to slow down a little bit. Worry about all the little details when they need to be worried about. Tackle one problem at a time. Don't obsess over things like clothing, food, and shelter. God will help provide these things. That doesn't mean that we should stop working and just assume that God will miraculously put food on our table and clothes on our backs -- but it does mean that we don't have to go crazy about it. If we do our part, God will provide. Things will work out. They may not work out in the way that we want them to or expect them to, but with God, all things are possible. He will provide for all our needs. Instead of worrying about earthly things, we should spend our time finding ways to show God's love to our friends and neighbors. What can we do to make someone smile? Does someone need help with their home or their family? How can we make the world a better place in small ways? Keep your worry stone on a shelf. When you have God on your side, you don't need it any more. Amen.
