Blessed are the persecuted
Children's sermon
Object:
a book about Christian martyrs
Good morning! I brought this book to show you today. This is
a book about Christian martyrs. Do you know what a martyr is?
(Let them answer.) A martyr is somebody who is killed because of
what he or she believes.
Let me tell you about this one. (Tell about one person in
the book.)
In the early days of the church, many people were put to
death because they were Christians. They died because of what
they believed. When people are killed or hurt in some way because
of what they believe, we say that they are being persecuted.
Jesus had something to say to people who are persecuted because
they believe in him. He told them that they were blessed. Now how
do you suppose they were blessed if people were doing mean things
to them and even killing them? That doesn't sound like being
blessed, does it? (Let them answer.)
Jesus meant that, even though they were suffering for what
they believed, in the long run they would be blessed because they
would be given eternal life in Heaven. No matter how bad things
get for a Christian here on earth, we are all blessed because we
have his promise that we will be safe in Heaven forever. Even if
we are killed for being Christians, we know that we will go to
Heaven, and that is a wonderful blessing, isn't it? (Let them
answer.)
Let's thank God for giving us this wonderful blessing.
Dear God: We thank You so much for blessing us by making us Your
people and for assuring us that, no matter what kind of
persecution we suffer for Your sake, You will bless us with
eternal life in heaven. Amen.
a book about Christian martyrs. Do you know what a martyr is?
(Let them answer.) A martyr is somebody who is killed because of
what he or she believes.
Let me tell you about this one. (Tell about one person in
the book.)
In the early days of the church, many people were put to
death because they were Christians. They died because of what
they believed. When people are killed or hurt in some way because
of what they believe, we say that they are being persecuted.
Jesus had something to say to people who are persecuted because
they believe in him. He told them that they were blessed. Now how
do you suppose they were blessed if people were doing mean things
to them and even killing them? That doesn't sound like being
blessed, does it? (Let them answer.)
Jesus meant that, even though they were suffering for what
they believed, in the long run they would be blessed because they
would be given eternal life in Heaven. No matter how bad things
get for a Christian here on earth, we are all blessed because we
have his promise that we will be safe in Heaven forever. Even if
we are killed for being Christians, we know that we will go to
Heaven, and that is a wonderful blessing, isn't it? (Let them
answer.)
Let's thank God for giving us this wonderful blessing.
Dear God: We thank You so much for blessing us by making us Your
people and for assuring us that, no matter what kind of
persecution we suffer for Your sake, You will bless us with
eternal life in heaven. Amen.
