Jesus, our Savior
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: Today's children's sermon contrasts that
which makes us feel better with that which is essential.
Salvation is not a feel-good palliative; it is the central core
of the Christian faith. The Gospel clearly shows Jesus as not
just someone who might make one feel better, but as the essential
Savior. His saving Peter from drowning is an illustration of his
saving believers from death.
*Expand on the choking analogy of today's object lesson by having a demonstration of the Heimlich maneuver. Even children need to know this emergency procedure. Expand beyond the demonstration by retelling or rereading the story of Peter's salvation as a foretaste of Jesus' salvation for all. (This would be a good activity for parents and children. Every household should know the Heimlich maneuver.)
*Jesus is there to save us in time of need. Peter's plea, "Lord, save me!" is our plea as well. Tell an example from your own life of how Jesus was there for you in a time of need.
*Tell about the fearfulness of being in a small boat on a raging sea. Relate the fear of the disciples to the children's fear. Perhaps relate things that were fearful to you as a child (such as a fear of the dark) and how Jesus has promised to always be with us.
*Read a dramatic story of rescue from a popular magazine or book (perhaps a recent newspaper account is available). Relate the story to our need for rescue from sin and death. The analogy you want to convey is that as the victim of the story could not rescue herself, neither can we, on our own, rise above sin and death. We are still in need of a Savior.
*The gospel story is also a story about faith. Peter had faith and was able to walk on water. When fear replaced his faith, he sank. The opposite of faith is not unbelief but fear and unwillingness to trust that which is beyond oneself. Show the children the need to look beyond one's own self-sufficiency to the trusting faith that God is trustworthy -- even though we cannot tangibly comprehend God. If you can, find members of the congregation willing to share what their faith meant to them in a time of need. Perhaps it was hospitalization, loss, or other trauma.
*Expand on the choking analogy of today's object lesson by having a demonstration of the Heimlich maneuver. Even children need to know this emergency procedure. Expand beyond the demonstration by retelling or rereading the story of Peter's salvation as a foretaste of Jesus' salvation for all. (This would be a good activity for parents and children. Every household should know the Heimlich maneuver.)
*Jesus is there to save us in time of need. Peter's plea, "Lord, save me!" is our plea as well. Tell an example from your own life of how Jesus was there for you in a time of need.
*Tell about the fearfulness of being in a small boat on a raging sea. Relate the fear of the disciples to the children's fear. Perhaps relate things that were fearful to you as a child (such as a fear of the dark) and how Jesus has promised to always be with us.
*Read a dramatic story of rescue from a popular magazine or book (perhaps a recent newspaper account is available). Relate the story to our need for rescue from sin and death. The analogy you want to convey is that as the victim of the story could not rescue herself, neither can we, on our own, rise above sin and death. We are still in need of a Savior.
*The gospel story is also a story about faith. Peter had faith and was able to walk on water. When fear replaced his faith, he sank. The opposite of faith is not unbelief but fear and unwillingness to trust that which is beyond oneself. Show the children the need to look beyond one's own self-sufficiency to the trusting faith that God is trustworthy -- even though we cannot tangibly comprehend God. If you can, find members of the congregation willing to share what their faith meant to them in a time of need. Perhaps it was hospitalization, loss, or other trauma.
