Forever Bread
Children's sermon
Object:
loaf of bread
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” (v. 35)
Good morning boys and girls,
Have you had breakfast this morning? (children respond) Did anybody have bread or toast? (children respond) Look what I have. (show loaf) What is it? (children answer)
But before we talk about this loaf, have you ever heard someone say “it’s raining cats and dogs?” People look outside and say, “Oh my, it’s raining cats and dogs. (response)
That expression came from long ago and far away (eighteenth-century England). When it rained so hard so they say, animals, like homeless dogs and stray cats that had died, came floating down the street. What an awful picture. But it always simply means when it “rains cats and dogs” the rain is falling “very hard and very generously.”
Well in the Old Testament it was like raining “cats and dogs.” But for the people of Israel in the wilderness, it was raining bread. Manna they called it. Hungry Israelites, led by Moses, were fed in an amazing way. God rained down very plentiful manna for them to eat. They ate. They were filled. They were satisfied.
So the people ask Jesus about signs from God, like the miracle of bread rained down from heaven long before to the Israelites. What other signs of God is there? Jesus amazes them when he tells them, “I am the bread of life.” What does Jesus mean?
(children give input)
Children, this loaf of bread is tasty and nutritious when freshly baked. But left by itself for a few months, it would turn moldy and crusty and unfit to eat. Mold is that green icky stuff. How would you like some moldy bread? (tempt and tease by saying I will put delicious jam and peanut butter and jelly on it) (children talk)
Jesus says “I am like forever bread. I am bread that never gets moldy or old or unfit to eat. I am good for you forever and forever and forever. (share chunks of bread)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, in Holy Communion you share your life and your love. Thank you. Amen.
Good morning boys and girls,
Have you had breakfast this morning? (children respond) Did anybody have bread or toast? (children respond) Look what I have. (show loaf) What is it? (children answer)
But before we talk about this loaf, have you ever heard someone say “it’s raining cats and dogs?” People look outside and say, “Oh my, it’s raining cats and dogs. (response)
That expression came from long ago and far away (eighteenth-century England). When it rained so hard so they say, animals, like homeless dogs and stray cats that had died, came floating down the street. What an awful picture. But it always simply means when it “rains cats and dogs” the rain is falling “very hard and very generously.”
Well in the Old Testament it was like raining “cats and dogs.” But for the people of Israel in the wilderness, it was raining bread. Manna they called it. Hungry Israelites, led by Moses, were fed in an amazing way. God rained down very plentiful manna for them to eat. They ate. They were filled. They were satisfied.
So the people ask Jesus about signs from God, like the miracle of bread rained down from heaven long before to the Israelites. What other signs of God is there? Jesus amazes them when he tells them, “I am the bread of life.” What does Jesus mean?
(children give input)
Children, this loaf of bread is tasty and nutritious when freshly baked. But left by itself for a few months, it would turn moldy and crusty and unfit to eat. Mold is that green icky stuff. How would you like some moldy bread? (tempt and tease by saying I will put delicious jam and peanut butter and jelly on it) (children talk)
Jesus says “I am like forever bread. I am bread that never gets moldy or old or unfit to eat. I am good for you forever and forever and forever. (share chunks of bread)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, in Holy Communion you share your life and your love. Thank you. Amen.
