God's rules
Children's sermon
Object:
jaywalking (explain if necessary)
So that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (v. 4)
Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Today we are going to talk about following the rules. How many of you like to follow the rules? (allow answers) What happens when you follow the rules? (allow answers) What happens when you don't follow the rules? (allow answers) When we follow the rules, usually people like and respect us. They know what they can expect us to do. When we don't follow the rules, sometimes we get in trouble. Other people may not like it when we are unpredictable. They might think that we are inconsiderate.
Do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing to be a rule-follower? (allow answers) Your parents and teachers definitely think it's a good thing! Parents and teachers -- and other people who make rules -- make rules that will help you live better lives, whether it helps you be a better person or whether it helps you get along better as a group of people, either in a family or in a class. Following the rules helps us keep the peace and work together.
But there is more to our lives than just following the rules. Have you ever seen an adult -- a parent, teacher, or someone else who makes rules for you -- break rules? (allow answers) Sometimes people break rules on accident or because they can't help themselves. But sometimes people break rules because it's the right thing to do.
Whoa! What do you think about that? Can breaking the rules be the right thing to do? (allow answers) Yes, it can -- but not all the time. Imagine if you saw someone having a heart attack across the street from you. Would you go all the way to the crosswalk to cross the street or would you look both ways for cars and then run across the middle of the street? What do you think is the right thing to do? (allow answers) Traffic laws say we should walk all the way to the crosswalk. Crossing in the middle of the street is called "jaywalking," and that isn't allowed. However, this is a case when our compassion for another person is more important that following all the rules. Who can tell me what compassion is? (allow answers) Compassion is another word for "kindness." When we have compassion for someone, we show them kindness. Maybe we show them kindness by helping them or maybe we show them kindness by forgiving them. What are some other ways we can show kindness and compassion to others? (allow answers)
God wants us to show compassion for others. We shouldn't run around breaking all the rules but sometimes we need to choose between following the rules and following what God wants us to do. Think about that this week as you try to live by the world's rules and by God's rules. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls! How are you today? (allow answers) Today we are going to talk about following the rules. How many of you like to follow the rules? (allow answers) What happens when you follow the rules? (allow answers) What happens when you don't follow the rules? (allow answers) When we follow the rules, usually people like and respect us. They know what they can expect us to do. When we don't follow the rules, sometimes we get in trouble. Other people may not like it when we are unpredictable. They might think that we are inconsiderate.
Do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing to be a rule-follower? (allow answers) Your parents and teachers definitely think it's a good thing! Parents and teachers -- and other people who make rules -- make rules that will help you live better lives, whether it helps you be a better person or whether it helps you get along better as a group of people, either in a family or in a class. Following the rules helps us keep the peace and work together.
But there is more to our lives than just following the rules. Have you ever seen an adult -- a parent, teacher, or someone else who makes rules for you -- break rules? (allow answers) Sometimes people break rules on accident or because they can't help themselves. But sometimes people break rules because it's the right thing to do.
Whoa! What do you think about that? Can breaking the rules be the right thing to do? (allow answers) Yes, it can -- but not all the time. Imagine if you saw someone having a heart attack across the street from you. Would you go all the way to the crosswalk to cross the street or would you look both ways for cars and then run across the middle of the street? What do you think is the right thing to do? (allow answers) Traffic laws say we should walk all the way to the crosswalk. Crossing in the middle of the street is called "jaywalking," and that isn't allowed. However, this is a case when our compassion for another person is more important that following all the rules. Who can tell me what compassion is? (allow answers) Compassion is another word for "kindness." When we have compassion for someone, we show them kindness. Maybe we show them kindness by helping them or maybe we show them kindness by forgiving them. What are some other ways we can show kindness and compassion to others? (allow answers)
God wants us to show compassion for others. We shouldn't run around breaking all the rules but sometimes we need to choose between following the rules and following what God wants us to do. Think about that this week as you try to live by the world's rules and by God's rules. Amen.
