The name of Jesus
Children's sermon
Object:
names (write out nametags in advance with the meanings of the names on the backs of the cards. You can find the meaning of many names at www.behindthename.com or www.parenthood.com/parent_cfmfiles/babynames.cfm)
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to learn about names and what they mean. Does anyone here have a name? (let them answer) Almost everyone says they have a name. (ask each child what their name is and have someone assist you in giving out the nametags; do not put them on because we will want to read the meaning) I made some nametags for people I thought would be here. If I do not have your nametag, I will make one for you after church is over.
Names are very interesting because they mean something. If your name is John, it means "God is gracious." If your name is Megan, it means "strong." Ellen means "light or beautiful"; Daniel means "God is my judge." Jeffery or Jeff means "God's peace." I tried to write on your nametag what your name means. Before you were born, your mother and dad talked a lot about what they wanted to name you. They had a lot of names to choose from. I read somewhere that there are more than 638,000 first names. So you see, it may not have been an easy choice.
I was very interested in one name. The name is Jesus. Does anyone know what Jesus means? (let them answer) Jesus means "God will help." The name of Jesus is often joined to the word Christ, which means "the anointed one or chosen one." If you put both names together, it means "chosen by God to help." That is exactly what Jesus did. He was chosen by God to come to earth and help us. Jesus is the Savior. Paul was so impressed with the name of Jesus Christ that he wrote to the people in Philippi that everyone should bend their knees and kneel when they heard the name of Jesus, and they should say that Jesus Christ is the Lord.
Let's try that and see what it sounds like. (have all of the children kneel and say together, "Jesus Christ is the Lord"; practice that a few times) Very good!
Christians love the name Jesus because they love the Lord. The next time you hear the name of Jesus, what could you do? (let them answer) That's right; you could kneel down and say, "Jesus is the Lord."
All of us have a name, a beautiful name and each one means something special, but the most special name of all belongs to whom? (let them answer) And what does Jesus' name mean? It means "God will help."
Names are very interesting because they mean something. If your name is John, it means "God is gracious." If your name is Megan, it means "strong." Ellen means "light or beautiful"; Daniel means "God is my judge." Jeffery or Jeff means "God's peace." I tried to write on your nametag what your name means. Before you were born, your mother and dad talked a lot about what they wanted to name you. They had a lot of names to choose from. I read somewhere that there are more than 638,000 first names. So you see, it may not have been an easy choice.
I was very interested in one name. The name is Jesus. Does anyone know what Jesus means? (let them answer) Jesus means "God will help." The name of Jesus is often joined to the word Christ, which means "the anointed one or chosen one." If you put both names together, it means "chosen by God to help." That is exactly what Jesus did. He was chosen by God to come to earth and help us. Jesus is the Savior. Paul was so impressed with the name of Jesus Christ that he wrote to the people in Philippi that everyone should bend their knees and kneel when they heard the name of Jesus, and they should say that Jesus Christ is the Lord.
Let's try that and see what it sounds like. (have all of the children kneel and say together, "Jesus Christ is the Lord"; practice that a few times) Very good!
Christians love the name Jesus because they love the Lord. The next time you hear the name of Jesus, what could you do? (let them answer) That's right; you could kneel down and say, "Jesus is the Lord."
All of us have a name, a beautiful name and each one means something special, but the most special name of all belongs to whom? (let them answer) And what does Jesus' name mean? It means "God will help."
