Kingdom Fishing
Children's sermon
Object:
a fish net
The Point: Jesus calls us to be fishers of people for the kingdom of God.
The Lesson: Welcome, girls and boys and thank you for coming up to share this time with me.
This morning I brought a fish net. What is a fish net used for? (let children answer) When I was your age, I would go to my grandfather's home. He lived on a bay, and we would go fishing together. Who has been fishing with a parent or grandparent? (let children answer) Before we would get into the boat, we would take a fish net and catch minnows. We would then use the minnows to catch bigger fish. The times we spent fishing together are some of my best memories.
Jesus talked about fishing this morning. It was time for Jesus to begin his ministry. He would begin to let the world know that the kingdom of God was at hand. Now was the time to turn to God and believe that he has come to bring salvation. At that moment he saw Simon and Andrew. They were fishermen and busy trying to catch fish by casting a net into the Sea of Galilee. Jesus told them to come and follow him, and he would make them fishers of men. I believe Jesus wants all of us to be fishers of people too.
You know, when my grandfather and I went fishing, we never just got in the boat and left shore. What are some things to make sure you take in the boat when fishing? (let children answer) We always had a number of things to do to get ready to catch fish. We gathered our fishing gear. We caught our bait. We prepared the boat. And we always took a little snack and soda to drink.
If we are going to be fishers of people, we need to prepare too. I think Jesus wants us to be the bait. So we need to worship, pray, and be filled with the love and grace of Jesus so that others will see us and want what we have. The net we use to catch people for God's kingdom is the gospel, the good news of Jesus' saving love. To catch people is to invite them to be caught with us in the net of Jesus Christ. Together we are kingdom fishermen.
Closing Prayer: Let us close our time together with a prayer. Jesus, you bring to us the hope and promise of life with you forever. Your love catches us and makes us a part of your kingdom. Jesus, may we be the means of helping others to be caught by you in your kingdom. Use us as you did Simon and Andrew to be fishers of people. Amen.
The Lesson: Welcome, girls and boys and thank you for coming up to share this time with me.
This morning I brought a fish net. What is a fish net used for? (let children answer) When I was your age, I would go to my grandfather's home. He lived on a bay, and we would go fishing together. Who has been fishing with a parent or grandparent? (let children answer) Before we would get into the boat, we would take a fish net and catch minnows. We would then use the minnows to catch bigger fish. The times we spent fishing together are some of my best memories.
Jesus talked about fishing this morning. It was time for Jesus to begin his ministry. He would begin to let the world know that the kingdom of God was at hand. Now was the time to turn to God and believe that he has come to bring salvation. At that moment he saw Simon and Andrew. They were fishermen and busy trying to catch fish by casting a net into the Sea of Galilee. Jesus told them to come and follow him, and he would make them fishers of men. I believe Jesus wants all of us to be fishers of people too.
You know, when my grandfather and I went fishing, we never just got in the boat and left shore. What are some things to make sure you take in the boat when fishing? (let children answer) We always had a number of things to do to get ready to catch fish. We gathered our fishing gear. We caught our bait. We prepared the boat. And we always took a little snack and soda to drink.
If we are going to be fishers of people, we need to prepare too. I think Jesus wants us to be the bait. So we need to worship, pray, and be filled with the love and grace of Jesus so that others will see us and want what we have. The net we use to catch people for God's kingdom is the gospel, the good news of Jesus' saving love. To catch people is to invite them to be caught with us in the net of Jesus Christ. Together we are kingdom fishermen.
Closing Prayer: Let us close our time together with a prayer. Jesus, you bring to us the hope and promise of life with you forever. Your love catches us and makes us a part of your kingdom. Jesus, may we be the means of helping others to be caught by you in your kingdom. Use us as you did Simon and Andrew to be fishers of people. Amen.
