Childrens Sermon Service

Good morning, boys and girls. I brought a special stuffed animal with me this morning because I want to play a game. It's called "Monkey See, Monkey Do." Have you ever played it before? (let them answer) Monkeys like to imitate each other. Whatever I do, you copy me exactly. (put your hands on your head) Good, you can play the game with me. (clap your hands) Now we're going to make it a little harder. I'm going to make some faces. Whatever I do, you do it, too. (make two or three funny faces) Now let's make it a little harder. I'm going to do two things at once. (clap your hands and make a face at the same time. Stand on one leg, make a different face, and swing your arms in circles) I added another thing. Are you having trouble? (let them answer) It's getting harder. Now I'm going to choose another monkey. (choose a child to be the leader) Monkey see, monkey do. (let the child decide what to do. Try to imitate the child) Let's pick two monkeys. (Choose another child so there are now two leaders, each doing something different) That's harder. We don't know who to follow. It would be easier if they were both doing the same thing.

Our lesson is all about playing the game "Monkey See, Monkey Do." Jesus' friends traveled around to tell people about Jesus and how Jesus wanted everyone to act. The people always had questions about what they were supposed to do to be a Christian or a follower of Jesus. In one of his letters Paul said the people should imitate Paul and his friends. They knew how to be followers of Jesus. Do you know what the word imitate means? (let them answer) It means to copy like we were doing in our game. The funny faces we were making weren't really showing how to be followers of Jesus. Jesus went about doing good, taking care of the sick and lonely, and telling others of God's love. When we see people doing this, we know they are followers of Jesus and they would be good examples to copy.