Choosing sides
Children's sermon
Object:
some candy
Good morning! I would like to divide you into two groups
today and to do that we will count off by twos -- one, two, one,
two, until everyone is either a one or a two. (Have them count
off.) Okay, now let's separate the two groups; ones over here and
twos over there.
I have something that I want each group to vote on today. I
brought this candy with me (show the candy) and I want to give it
to one of your groups. How many in Group One think it should be
given to Group One? (Let Group One vote.) Okay, now how many in
Group Two think I should give it to Group Two? (Let Group Two
vote.)
Well, it's not surprising that each group thinks it ought to
be given to them and not to the other group. I suspect that the
vote would remain the same no matter how many times we voted.
When we feel strongly about things, we continue to stand up for
what we want. We are now separated into two groups which will
probably never agree.
Jesus tells us that this same kind of division is going to
happen in our families, at school, where we work, and in the
whole world. Those people like us who believe in Jesus are always
going to be separated from those who do not believe in him. We
are going to stand up for what we believe and that could mean
that we will be opposed to someone in our own family who doesn't
believe. If it came to the point where you had to give up your
belief in Jesus in order to stay in your family, what would you
do? (Let them answer.)
I know it would be hard, but we must put our faith above
everything else. We have to be ready to sacrifice anything rather
than renounce our Savior, Jesus Christ. Are you all ready to do
that? (Let them answer.) Okay, that's good. Now, since we are all
one in Christ and not really two separate groups. I want both
groups to have the candy.
Dear Jesus: We know that you expect us to be loyal to you above
everything else. Please give us the strength and courage to do
that. Amen.
today and to do that we will count off by twos -- one, two, one,
two, until everyone is either a one or a two. (Have them count
off.) Okay, now let's separate the two groups; ones over here and
twos over there.
I have something that I want each group to vote on today. I
brought this candy with me (show the candy) and I want to give it
to one of your groups. How many in Group One think it should be
given to Group One? (Let Group One vote.) Okay, now how many in
Group Two think I should give it to Group Two? (Let Group Two
vote.)
Well, it's not surprising that each group thinks it ought to
be given to them and not to the other group. I suspect that the
vote would remain the same no matter how many times we voted.
When we feel strongly about things, we continue to stand up for
what we want. We are now separated into two groups which will
probably never agree.
Jesus tells us that this same kind of division is going to
happen in our families, at school, where we work, and in the
whole world. Those people like us who believe in Jesus are always
going to be separated from those who do not believe in him. We
are going to stand up for what we believe and that could mean
that we will be opposed to someone in our own family who doesn't
believe. If it came to the point where you had to give up your
belief in Jesus in order to stay in your family, what would you
do? (Let them answer.)
I know it would be hard, but we must put our faith above
everything else. We have to be ready to sacrifice anything rather
than renounce our Savior, Jesus Christ. Are you all ready to do
that? (Let them answer.) Okay, that's good. Now, since we are all
one in Christ and not really two separate groups. I want both
groups to have the candy.
Dear Jesus: We know that you expect us to be loyal to you above
everything else. Please give us the strength and courage to do
that. Amen.
