A good exchange (for us)
Children's sermon
Object:
Give each child a nickel or dime, with the instructions
that they are to go into the congregation and exchange that coin
for something else. (A variation on this is to have each child
give you something for which you exchange it with something more
va
Good morning! On this first Sunday in Lent I'm going to give
you something. I'm going to give you some money and I want you to
take this money and go to people in the congregation and exchange
it for something else. In other words, take the nickel and ask
people to give you something more valuable than a nickel. Let's
see what you can get for your nickel. (Do it. You might want to
prearrange this exchange with adult volunteers in the
congregation who have come prepared for this exchange.)
You have just "redeemed" your money for something else. Let's see what some of you got for your nickel. (Have the children lay out their treasures. Find one item that is far more valuable than the nickel and use it for the rest of the illustration.)
You exchanged a nickel for something that is worth much more than a nickel. That is very similar to what Jesus did when he suffered and died. He gave himself to the cross so that we can have eternal life. He traded in his life and got us eternal life! Wow! That's quite a trade!
We say that Jesus "redeemed" us. By that we mean that Jesus traded his life for ours. He laid down his life so that we can have eternal life! That is why we sometimes call Jesus the "Redeemer." (You may have churches in your area named "Redeemer." You can use them to illustrate the exchange Jesus made with his life.)
This time in the church year called Lent is a time when we look at and study why Jesus would give his life for me and for you. I wonder -- why do you think he did it? (Let them answer.)
I think Jesus gave his life for us because he loves us that much!
Dearest Lord Jesus: Thank you for loving us so much that you would give your life just so we can have eternal life. Amen.
You have just "redeemed" your money for something else. Let's see what some of you got for your nickel. (Have the children lay out their treasures. Find one item that is far more valuable than the nickel and use it for the rest of the illustration.)
You exchanged a nickel for something that is worth much more than a nickel. That is very similar to what Jesus did when he suffered and died. He gave himself to the cross so that we can have eternal life. He traded in his life and got us eternal life! Wow! That's quite a trade!
We say that Jesus "redeemed" us. By that we mean that Jesus traded his life for ours. He laid down his life so that we can have eternal life! That is why we sometimes call Jesus the "Redeemer." (You may have churches in your area named "Redeemer." You can use them to illustrate the exchange Jesus made with his life.)
This time in the church year called Lent is a time when we look at and study why Jesus would give his life for me and for you. I wonder -- why do you think he did it? (Let them answer.)
I think Jesus gave his life for us because he loves us that much!
Dearest Lord Jesus: Thank you for loving us so much that you would give your life just so we can have eternal life. Amen.
