Maintaining focus
Children's sermon
Object:
A prize ribbon or medal
Good morning! I want to show you this ribbon. This ribbon was
the prize for ____________. In order to earn this ribbon, the
winner had to really focus on the goal of winning. In any race or
contest, in order to win we have to concentrate on doing whatever
is necessary.
How many of you have ever had a job to do around the house,
like cleaning your room or something like that? (Let them answer.)
Well, let me ask you this. Suppose we have been given a job to do
and it must be done before we go to bed tonight. What's the best
way to get it done? Should we just go right at it and concentrate
on getting it done, or should we do a little bit at a time? For
instance, should we go out and play for a while and then do a
little; watch television for a while and then do a little more? Is
that a good way to get the job done? (Let them answer.)
Okay, I think we all agree that the best way is to do the job
and get it done and then do other things. We need to concentrate
or focus on the job. Now, Paul tells us in his letter to the
people at Philippi that we should do the same thing with Jesus. We
need to stay focused on him as the central thing in our lives. He
says, "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what
lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the
heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." In other words, Paul is
telling us to focus on Jesus and make him the main thing in our
lives. Do you all think this is a good idea? (Let them answer.)
Dear Jesus: Help us always to keep our minds and hearts focused on
you so we can win the heavenly prize of eternal life with you.
Amen.
the prize for ____________. In order to earn this ribbon, the
winner had to really focus on the goal of winning. In any race or
contest, in order to win we have to concentrate on doing whatever
is necessary.
How many of you have ever had a job to do around the house,
like cleaning your room or something like that? (Let them answer.)
Well, let me ask you this. Suppose we have been given a job to do
and it must be done before we go to bed tonight. What's the best
way to get it done? Should we just go right at it and concentrate
on getting it done, or should we do a little bit at a time? For
instance, should we go out and play for a while and then do a
little; watch television for a while and then do a little more? Is
that a good way to get the job done? (Let them answer.)
Okay, I think we all agree that the best way is to do the job
and get it done and then do other things. We need to concentrate
or focus on the job. Now, Paul tells us in his letter to the
people at Philippi that we should do the same thing with Jesus. We
need to stay focused on him as the central thing in our lives. He
says, "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what
lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the
heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." In other words, Paul is
telling us to focus on Jesus and make him the main thing in our
lives. Do you all think this is a good idea? (Let them answer.)
Dear Jesus: Help us always to keep our minds and hearts focused on
you so we can win the heavenly prize of eternal life with you.
Amen.
