Eph-pha-tha (ef-a-tha)
Children's sermon
Object:
Ear plugs and variety of items “to be opened” like a box, envelope, package
Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is “be opened.”
Good morning boys and girls,
Happy Sunday (or appropriate day). Thank you for joining me for this special children's message today. God loves you. I love you too. Now share the love by high-fiving and saying to someone near you, God loves you. I love you too. (children respond as they are comfortable)
I am going to teach you a new word. Repeat after me “ef-a-tha.” (children repeat several times “ef-a-tha.” I am sorry boys and girls I cannot hear you. Say “ef-a-tha” one more time more loudly. (children say or shout “ef-a-tha).
Oh that's better!! (Presenter removes ear plugs) When you children said the magic word “ef-a-tha” I took out these ear plugs and I could hear much better. “Ef-a-tha means “be opened.”
Let's practice “ef-a-tha.” (children say the word and the presenter opens up an item)
“Ef-a-tha” and a box is opened.“Ef-a-tha” and an envelope is opened, and so on.
Did you know that “ef-a-tha” is a word Jesus spoke in the language of his day?
That language was Aramaic. Can you say “Air – a – may – ick?” (children repeat)
Once Jesus met a man who was deaf with a speech disability. Jesus graciously touched the man's tongue and said the magic word, “ef-a-tha.”Guess what? The man's ears were opened and he was able to speak plainly.
And all the people were astonished saying, “He (Jesus) has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Wow!
“Ef-a-tha happens a lot even today in different ways. When you learn about God your mind is “opened.” When you feel love, your heart is “opened.”
Prayer: Jesus, you do everything so well. Thank you. Open my ears, mind, and heart. Amen.
Good morning boys and girls,
Happy Sunday (or appropriate day). Thank you for joining me for this special children's message today. God loves you. I love you too. Now share the love by high-fiving and saying to someone near you, God loves you. I love you too. (children respond as they are comfortable)
I am going to teach you a new word. Repeat after me “ef-a-tha.” (children repeat several times “ef-a-tha.” I am sorry boys and girls I cannot hear you. Say “ef-a-tha” one more time more loudly. (children say or shout “ef-a-tha).
Oh that's better!! (Presenter removes ear plugs) When you children said the magic word “ef-a-tha” I took out these ear plugs and I could hear much better. “Ef-a-tha means “be opened.”
Let's practice “ef-a-tha.” (children say the word and the presenter opens up an item)
“Ef-a-tha” and a box is opened.“Ef-a-tha” and an envelope is opened, and so on.
Did you know that “ef-a-tha” is a word Jesus spoke in the language of his day?
That language was Aramaic. Can you say “Air – a – may – ick?” (children repeat)
Once Jesus met a man who was deaf with a speech disability. Jesus graciously touched the man's tongue and said the magic word, “ef-a-tha.”Guess what? The man's ears were opened and he was able to speak plainly.
And all the people were astonished saying, “He (Jesus) has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.” Wow!
“Ef-a-tha happens a lot even today in different ways. When you learn about God your mind is “opened.” When you feel love, your heart is “opened.”
Prayer: Jesus, you do everything so well. Thank you. Open my ears, mind, and heart. Amen.
