Host or hostile?
Children's sermon
Object:
a toy weapon
Our God is so great and wonderful. Do you ever wonder why we
don't hear more about God? Why is it people don't talk about God
more? Why is it we don't hear more about how great God is from
watching television or reading books and magazines? Have you ever
wondered that? (Let them answer.) I have.
When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he explained why we don't hear more about how great God is. I brought this toy weapon to show you this morning what he had in mind. Do we use weapons on friends? (Let them answer.) Never! If we don't use weapons on friends, what are weapons for? (Let them answer.) Weapons are to be used only when people have to defend themselves from very bad people who would want to hurt them. When a person is very much against us, we say they are "hostile" to us. The apostle Paul says that people are "hostile" to God. That's one reason why people don't usually say much about God. People -- yes, even you and me -- are often "hostile" to God!
When we know Jesus, our hostility to God changes and God becomes our very best friend -- EVER!
Can you tell me what a "host" is? (Let them answer.) A "host" is someone who is friendly and welcomes guests. When we know Jesus, we become like hosts instead of hostile! Wow! What a difference! Jesus makes God our friend and makes us open to God. I'm glad to be God's friend! How about you? (Let them answer.)
Dearest Friend God: Thank you for making us your friends. Amen.
(Alternative: If you have problems using even toy weapons in church and feel that words can convey the meaning, use a marker board and write the word "HOSTILE" prominently on it. Erase the "ILE" portion so that the word becomes "HOST." The effect remains, without the use of toy weapons which may not be appropriate for the children of your congregation.)
When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he explained why we don't hear more about how great God is. I brought this toy weapon to show you this morning what he had in mind. Do we use weapons on friends? (Let them answer.) Never! If we don't use weapons on friends, what are weapons for? (Let them answer.) Weapons are to be used only when people have to defend themselves from very bad people who would want to hurt them. When a person is very much against us, we say they are "hostile" to us. The apostle Paul says that people are "hostile" to God. That's one reason why people don't usually say much about God. People -- yes, even you and me -- are often "hostile" to God!
When we know Jesus, our hostility to God changes and God becomes our very best friend -- EVER!
Can you tell me what a "host" is? (Let them answer.) A "host" is someone who is friendly and welcomes guests. When we know Jesus, we become like hosts instead of hostile! Wow! What a difference! Jesus makes God our friend and makes us open to God. I'm glad to be God's friend! How about you? (Let them answer.)
Dearest Friend God: Thank you for making us your friends. Amen.
(Alternative: If you have problems using even toy weapons in church and feel that words can convey the meaning, use a marker board and write the word "HOSTILE" prominently on it. Erase the "ILE" portion so that the word becomes "HOST." The effect remains, without the use of toy weapons which may not be appropriate for the children of your congregation.)
