Mercy, Mercy
Children's sermon
Object:
first aid kit
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man....He said, 'the one who showed mercy.'” (v. 36, 37a)
Good morning children,
Welcome. Thank you for joining me. I love children's message time. It's fun isn't it? (children may respond)
Jesus told a parable one day. A parable is a made up story to teach something very important. Jesus told this parable because a lawyer the question “who is my neighbor?”
If someone asked you, “who is your neighbor,” what would you say? The person next door? (children answer) A person who is very religious? (children answer) A person who is mean? (children answer) A person who is rich? (children answer) A person who is in trouble? (children answer) A person who is loving and kind? (children answer) A person like Mister Rogers on television? (children answer)
Jesus' parable was about a traveling man who was attacked and robbed. He was badly beaten up and bloody, the traveling man lay moaning in the ditch.
A very religious priest came by, but did nothing to help. Then a very religious Levite came by, and did nothing to help. Then a Samaritan, who was looked down upon by the people, came by and took care of the poor fellow in the ditch. (display first aid kit and talk about it's contents) Jesus then asked the lawyer, which of the three was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? The lawyer answered, “the Samaritan who showed mercy.” Jesus said in effect “you get an A, Mr. Lawyer.” Right!
So how can children and adults today be good neighbors and show mercy? (children answer) And you know what? The good Samaritan is a perfect example of who Jesus was and is. Jesus shows mercy when he heals. Jesus demonstrates mercy when he teaches the multitudes. Jesus shows mercy when he suffers and dies for the sins of the world.
Children, such as yourselves, are good neighbors when you show mercy too.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, give us eyes to see people in the ditches of life and help us show mercy, love, and kindness to them. Amen.
Good morning children,
Welcome. Thank you for joining me. I love children's message time. It's fun isn't it? (children may respond)
Jesus told a parable one day. A parable is a made up story to teach something very important. Jesus told this parable because a lawyer the question “who is my neighbor?”
If someone asked you, “who is your neighbor,” what would you say? The person next door? (children answer) A person who is very religious? (children answer) A person who is mean? (children answer) A person who is rich? (children answer) A person who is in trouble? (children answer) A person who is loving and kind? (children answer) A person like Mister Rogers on television? (children answer)
Jesus' parable was about a traveling man who was attacked and robbed. He was badly beaten up and bloody, the traveling man lay moaning in the ditch.
A very religious priest came by, but did nothing to help. Then a very religious Levite came by, and did nothing to help. Then a Samaritan, who was looked down upon by the people, came by and took care of the poor fellow in the ditch. (display first aid kit and talk about it's contents) Jesus then asked the lawyer, which of the three was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? The lawyer answered, “the Samaritan who showed mercy.” Jesus said in effect “you get an A, Mr. Lawyer.” Right!
So how can children and adults today be good neighbors and show mercy? (children answer) And you know what? The good Samaritan is a perfect example of who Jesus was and is. Jesus shows mercy when he heals. Jesus demonstrates mercy when he teaches the multitudes. Jesus shows mercy when he suffers and dies for the sins of the world.
Children, such as yourselves, are good neighbors when you show mercy too.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, give us eyes to see people in the ditches of life and help us show mercy, love, and kindness to them. Amen.

