Doing what is expected of us
Children's sermon
Object:
Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? (v. 9)
Object: a report card with all A's, a new bicycle, a new video game, or anything else that a child would interpret as a reward
Good morning, boys and girls. I've got your report card here and I am amazed. Each of you is doing straight-A work. You have good work habits, you get along well with others, and you haven't missed a day of school.
What do you think we should do for people like you? Perfect grades, perfect behavior, and perfect attendance! Do you think you deserve a new bicycle? Or would you rather have the latest video game? What do you think? Don't you deserve it? (let them answer)
Let's not forget the other things you do. You come to Sunday school and church every Sunday, don't you? (let them answer) There should be some sort of reward for being here. Don't forget that some of you take music lessons, belong to scouts, or play on sports teams. Plus, you help your mom and dad around the house. How many of you pick up your clothes, put away your toys, and even help with the dishes? There must be a reward for doing all of this!
Do you think a bicycle is enough of a reward? Would one video game reward you for all the things that you do? (let them answer) Maybe you need two bicycles and four videos. What do you think? (let them answer)
The answer is, "No." You don't need anything. There are no rewards for doing what is expected of you. Your job is going to school. You are expected to come to Sunday school and church. Music lessons and scouts and sports are all fun things. You are part of the family and you should pick up your clothes, put away your toys, and help your mom and dad. We do not receive rewards for things that are expected of us.
Jesus said the same thing to his disciples. Jesus said that God is not going to reward us for being obedient to him. God tells us what is expected and we do it because he asks us to. We don't obey just because God is going to give us something special for respecting our parents and treating other people with love and kindness. Those are God's rules and God asks us to obey them.
God isn't giving away bicycles or video games for being part of his family and obeying the rules. He expects us to do these things.
The next time you don't get rewarded for being kind or doing your chores, you can think about how we are supposed to live with God. God is doing his job and we should do ours. We do it because it is expected of us and not for any reward.
Object: a report card with all A's, a new bicycle, a new video game, or anything else that a child would interpret as a reward
Good morning, boys and girls. I've got your report card here and I am amazed. Each of you is doing straight-A work. You have good work habits, you get along well with others, and you haven't missed a day of school.
What do you think we should do for people like you? Perfect grades, perfect behavior, and perfect attendance! Do you think you deserve a new bicycle? Or would you rather have the latest video game? What do you think? Don't you deserve it? (let them answer)
Let's not forget the other things you do. You come to Sunday school and church every Sunday, don't you? (let them answer) There should be some sort of reward for being here. Don't forget that some of you take music lessons, belong to scouts, or play on sports teams. Plus, you help your mom and dad around the house. How many of you pick up your clothes, put away your toys, and even help with the dishes? There must be a reward for doing all of this!
Do you think a bicycle is enough of a reward? Would one video game reward you for all the things that you do? (let them answer) Maybe you need two bicycles and four videos. What do you think? (let them answer)
The answer is, "No." You don't need anything. There are no rewards for doing what is expected of you. Your job is going to school. You are expected to come to Sunday school and church. Music lessons and scouts and sports are all fun things. You are part of the family and you should pick up your clothes, put away your toys, and help your mom and dad. We do not receive rewards for things that are expected of us.
Jesus said the same thing to his disciples. Jesus said that God is not going to reward us for being obedient to him. God tells us what is expected and we do it because he asks us to. We don't obey just because God is going to give us something special for respecting our parents and treating other people with love and kindness. Those are God's rules and God asks us to obey them.
God isn't giving away bicycles or video games for being part of his family and obeying the rules. He expects us to do these things.
The next time you don't get rewarded for being kind or doing your chores, you can think about how we are supposed to live with God. God is doing his job and we should do ours. We do it because it is expected of us and not for any reward.
