Love Each Other
Children's sermon
Null
Object:
water pitcher, basin, and towel
The Point: if you care for the simplest needs of others, you are loving with a humble heart
The Lesson: Good morning, boys and girls. Thank you for joining me as we share God’s word together.
Today I brought a pitcher full of water, a towel, and a basin. (show the items) I would like to wash all your hands. First, I will pour some water into the basin. Now, if you will each offer me your hands, I will wash them. As I am washing your hands, I will say a short prayer that Jesus may wash your heart and renew your life as a child of God. (wash and dry the hands of the children)
In our Bible reading today, Jesus washed not the hands but the feet of his disciples. In his day when people entered a home a servant would wash their feet. Everyone wore sandals without socks, and the roads were dusty. A person’s feet would really get dusty and dirty walking down a road. Washing their feet upon entering a home was an essential task. It was a task of the lowest servant in the house. When Jesus and the disciples ate together, they would sit on cushions on the floor because people generally didn’t have chairs in their houses. Clean feet were important. Jesus took a towel and a basin of water and performed the function of a servant by washing everyone’s feet. It was a humble and loving thing to do.
Jesus was teaching his followers by being an example. Jesus knew he had the power and the authority of God. Jesus knew that he was returning to God. Jesus, who is Lord of all, chose to be servant of all. As followers of Jesus, we should be humble enough to do whatever is necessary to love one another. When we meet the simplest needs of others, we are following Jesus example by loving others with a humble heart.
Prayer: Let us unite our hands and hearts together as we pray. Lord Jesus, your love brought you to us. You humbly offered your life that we might receive the gift of forgiveness and the hope of eternal life. Help us to serve others in humble love. Jesus, in your holy name we pray. Amen.
The Lesson: Good morning, boys and girls. Thank you for joining me as we share God’s word together.
Today I brought a pitcher full of water, a towel, and a basin. (show the items) I would like to wash all your hands. First, I will pour some water into the basin. Now, if you will each offer me your hands, I will wash them. As I am washing your hands, I will say a short prayer that Jesus may wash your heart and renew your life as a child of God. (wash and dry the hands of the children)
In our Bible reading today, Jesus washed not the hands but the feet of his disciples. In his day when people entered a home a servant would wash their feet. Everyone wore sandals without socks, and the roads were dusty. A person’s feet would really get dusty and dirty walking down a road. Washing their feet upon entering a home was an essential task. It was a task of the lowest servant in the house. When Jesus and the disciples ate together, they would sit on cushions on the floor because people generally didn’t have chairs in their houses. Clean feet were important. Jesus took a towel and a basin of water and performed the function of a servant by washing everyone’s feet. It was a humble and loving thing to do.
Jesus was teaching his followers by being an example. Jesus knew he had the power and the authority of God. Jesus knew that he was returning to God. Jesus, who is Lord of all, chose to be servant of all. As followers of Jesus, we should be humble enough to do whatever is necessary to love one another. When we meet the simplest needs of others, we are following Jesus example by loving others with a humble heart.
Prayer: Let us unite our hands and hearts together as we pray. Lord Jesus, your love brought you to us. You humbly offered your life that we might receive the gift of forgiveness and the hope of eternal life. Help us to serve others in humble love. Jesus, in your holy name we pray. Amen.
