Following isn't easy
Children's sermon
Object:
facsimile of a ticket to Disneyland, Six Flags, or
another amusement park near you
Good morning! Let's use our imagination this morning.
Imagine this situation: you have been chosen to play the leading
role in a play here at church. The play is scheduled for next
month on Sunday, September 12. You and the other children who are
in the play have been practicing for a month and the date is
drawing near. Now, somebody offers you a free ticket to go to
_________________ on September 12. (Show the facsimile ticket.)
This ticket is only good on that day. If you don't use it then,
it will be no good on any other day. What would you do? (Let them
answer.)
You know our lives are filled with those kinds of choices we
have to make. There are times when we have to give up something
that we really want in order to do what God wants us to do. Jesus
says that those who want to be his followers have to be ready to
give up things that they really want to do in order to be his
followers. Has that ever happened to you? Have you had to give up
something in order to do what Jesus wants you to do? (Let them
answer.)
I know it is not always easy to be a follower of Jesus, but
if we are willing to do what he wants, even when it hurts, we
will certainly be a lot happier in the long run because that's
how we show the world that we are really Christians. Even when it
seems like everyone around us is doing something that we know is
wrong, we must be willing to say "no" to that and follow Jesus
instead. Can you all do that? (Let them answer.) Let's ask Jesus
to help us do that.
Dear Jesus: We want to be your followers. Please give us the
strength and courage we need always to do what you want us to do
instead of what others think is okay. Amen.
Imagine this situation: you have been chosen to play the leading
role in a play here at church. The play is scheduled for next
month on Sunday, September 12. You and the other children who are
in the play have been practicing for a month and the date is
drawing near. Now, somebody offers you a free ticket to go to
_________________ on September 12. (Show the facsimile ticket.)
This ticket is only good on that day. If you don't use it then,
it will be no good on any other day. What would you do? (Let them
answer.)
You know our lives are filled with those kinds of choices we
have to make. There are times when we have to give up something
that we really want in order to do what God wants us to do. Jesus
says that those who want to be his followers have to be ready to
give up things that they really want to do in order to be his
followers. Has that ever happened to you? Have you had to give up
something in order to do what Jesus wants you to do? (Let them
answer.)
I know it is not always easy to be a follower of Jesus, but
if we are willing to do what he wants, even when it hurts, we
will certainly be a lot happier in the long run because that's
how we show the world that we are really Christians. Even when it
seems like everyone around us is doing something that we know is
wrong, we must be willing to say "no" to that and follow Jesus
instead. Can you all do that? (Let them answer.) Let's ask Jesus
to help us do that.
Dear Jesus: We want to be your followers. Please give us the
strength and courage we need always to do what you want us to do
instead of what others think is okay. Amen.
