Happy thoughts
Children's sermon
Object:
fairy dust
"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (v. 8)
Good morning, boys and girls! How many of you have seen the movie Peter Pan? (allow answers) Can you tell me about Peter Pan? (allow answers) Peter Pan is a boy who lives in Never-Never Land, where he never has to grow up! He lives with a group of boys called the Lost Boys, and they share Never-Never Land with pirates, Indians, and all kinds of exciting things!
Peter Pan travels to England so that he can find a mother to bring back for the Lost Boys. Peter Pan and the Lost Boys want a mother to tuck them in and tell them bedtime stories. Peter finds a girl named Wendy, and meets her younger brothers Michael and John. Peter decides to take all three of them back to Never Land with him.
But in order to go to Never Land, they have to be able to fly! Peter pulls out a handful of fairy dust and sprinkles it over the children. But there's a catch -- the fairy dust only works if they think happy thoughts! No flying if you're thinking of something dull or sad! The children think of the happiest things they can and soon they are flying with Peter through the night sky over London.
Although our lesson doesn't talk about Peter Pan, it does talk about thinking good thoughts. Our verse says, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
That's a mouthful! What do you think all that means? (allow answers) Basically, the Bible is telling us to think of good things. Instead of thinking about things that make us angry or things that could cause harm to others, we should focus on good things. If we put our mind on things that are good, great, and godly, it will help us be able to work toward being those things. We should think happy thoughts, as Peter Pan might say, so that we can fly! Maybe we won't be able to fly like the children fly in Peter Pan, but we will be able to accomplish great things when we put our minds to it and work toward excellence and honor.
Can you give me some examples of good things we could think about? (allow answers) Instead of thinking about how to get back at someone for making fun of you, maybe think about how you can show them God's love. Instead of thinking about how to cheat on the next test at school, think about how you can study to do well all on your own. With a little faith and some happy thoughts, we can fly in our own lives. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls! How many of you have seen the movie Peter Pan? (allow answers) Can you tell me about Peter Pan? (allow answers) Peter Pan is a boy who lives in Never-Never Land, where he never has to grow up! He lives with a group of boys called the Lost Boys, and they share Never-Never Land with pirates, Indians, and all kinds of exciting things!
Peter Pan travels to England so that he can find a mother to bring back for the Lost Boys. Peter Pan and the Lost Boys want a mother to tuck them in and tell them bedtime stories. Peter finds a girl named Wendy, and meets her younger brothers Michael and John. Peter decides to take all three of them back to Never Land with him.
But in order to go to Never Land, they have to be able to fly! Peter pulls out a handful of fairy dust and sprinkles it over the children. But there's a catch -- the fairy dust only works if they think happy thoughts! No flying if you're thinking of something dull or sad! The children think of the happiest things they can and soon they are flying with Peter through the night sky over London.
Although our lesson doesn't talk about Peter Pan, it does talk about thinking good thoughts. Our verse says, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
That's a mouthful! What do you think all that means? (allow answers) Basically, the Bible is telling us to think of good things. Instead of thinking about things that make us angry or things that could cause harm to others, we should focus on good things. If we put our mind on things that are good, great, and godly, it will help us be able to work toward being those things. We should think happy thoughts, as Peter Pan might say, so that we can fly! Maybe we won't be able to fly like the children fly in Peter Pan, but we will be able to accomplish great things when we put our minds to it and work toward excellence and honor.
Can you give me some examples of good things we could think about? (allow answers) Instead of thinking about how to get back at someone for making fun of you, maybe think about how you can show them God's love. Instead of thinking about how to cheat on the next test at school, think about how you can study to do well all on your own. With a little faith and some happy thoughts, we can fly in our own lives. Amen.
