Childrens Sermon Service

First Thoughts: In many church doctrines, the power and responsibility of choice seems to rest with the believer. It's up to us to decide whether or not we will belong to God, whether or not we say "yes" to God's invitation. Frankly I think this might appeal more to our own egos than it communicates the truth of scripture. Israel was chosen by God not because they made any appeal to God, nor based on any stated willingness on their part. Israel was chosen simply because God decided it was to be. In this passage from John, Jesus communicates something similar to the disciples. No reason is given for God's choice -- God simply makes a decision that they will belong to God. What if we understood that to be true for us as well? Our relationship with God isn't based on our behavior, our changing moods, or even our willingness to be in relationship. God is a permanent fixture in our lives -- always loving, always calling us toward healing and growth, always faithful (whether we are or not). How would that increase our freedom? How would that free us from fear and anxiety? Carry this hopeful vision in your time with the children.

Teaching As A Team:
(Leader 2 looking annoyed)
Leader 1: Hey, (name), you seem like something is bothering you. What's wrong?
Leader 2: Oh, my mom.
Leader 1: What did she do?
Leader 2: My friends came by my house to pick me up for a movie. I wasn't ready yet, so they were waiting on me. That's when my mom came down and sat with them. She started telling them stories about when I was little -- she even showed them pictures of me naked! I was so embarrassed!
Leader 1: Yeah, I can see how that would be embarrassing. Are you still mad at her?
Leader 2: Maybe a little, but it won't last. After all, she is my mom.
Leader 1: What do you mean?
Leader 2: I mean, eventually you always forgive your family, because family is forever, right? You're kinda stuck with them.
Leader 1: I guess that's true. You don't pick your family, do you? But maybe that's a good thing. It's nice to know that, whatever happens, your family will always be your family.
Leader 2: Yep, even when they drive you crazy.
Leader 1: It's true in our relationship with God too. In our scripture today, Jesus told his disciples that they belonged to God not because they chose it, but because God chose them. God loved them and would continue loving them no matter what. God is like our family -- God is forever.
Leader 2: Are you saying we're stuck with God?
Leader 1: Yeah, but in a good way. No matter what we do, even if it's something really bad, God is going to love us and stick with us.
Leader 2: Just like I'm going to love my mom even when she totally embarrasses me.
Leader 1: Right. God has chosen us to be in God's family and has put love in our hearts. Love forgives. Love sticks.
Leader 2: It's a good thing to be in God's family.
Leader 1: You said it!

Teaching On Your Own: You'll never believe what my mom did the other day. My friends came by my house to pick me up for a movie. I wasn't ready yet, so they were waiting on me. That's when my mom came down and sat with them. She started telling them stories about when I was little -- she even showed them pictures of me naked! I was so embarrassed! Has your mom ever embarrassed you like that? It's terrible. I'm still a little mad, but you know it won't last. After all, she is my mom, and eventually you always forgive your family, don't you? Because family is forever, right? You're kinda stuck with them. You don't pick your family, but maybe that's a good thing. It's nice to know that, whatever happens, your family will always be your family. That's true in our relationship with God too. In our scripture today, Jesus told his disciples that they belonged to God not because they chose it, but because God chose them. God loved them and would continue loving them no matter what. God is like our family -- God is forever. No matter what we do, even if it's something really bad, God is going to love us and stick with us. Just like I'm going to love my mom even when she totally embarrasses me. God has chosen us to be in God's family and has put love in our hearts. Love forgives. Love sticks. You know, it's a good thing to be in God's family!

Closing Prayer: God, thank you for loving us and for choosing us to be in your family. Help us to learn to trust you and to know how much you love us no matter what. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Follow-Up Lesson: To reinforce this lesson in a classroom or home environment, we want to spend some time thinking about the gifts God gives us without our asking or earning it. These are things we likely take for granted, because they are granted. Fresh air to breathe, the sun coming up each morning, water to drink, hearts that beat, bodies that heal themselves when they're hurt or sick -- all these things God has given us that we might have abundant life. We get these things not because we ask for them, and not even because we want them, but because God wants us to have them. Ask the children if they know what an allowance is. Do any of them get an allowance? An allowance is something parents allow to their children, often just so they will have some money to spend. God makes us an allowance of all these gifts. Provide to the children some pretend money. Encourage them to write a few of God's "allowance" gifts on the back of the money, things they're particularly grateful for. Close by providing the children some materials to make a special prayer wallet for their "allowance." (I found several ideas after a quick search for "children's wallet craft" on the internet.) Encourage the children to keep their allowance money in the wallet and use it as a center piece for prayers of gratitude.