No more ugly faces
Children's sermon
Object:
making faces
And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they
disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you,
they have received their reward. (v. 16)
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you know how to make a funny looking face? (let them show you their funny faces) Some of those faces were not very funny but kind of scary. I want to see a face that makes me smile, maybe even laugh if it is funny enough. (let them try again) That was much better. Only a couple of scary faces that time.
Now I am looking for an ugly face. I want the ugliest face that you know how to make. (let them try that) Those are pretty good ugly faces. Can you just sit there with your ugly face for a few minutes while I talk about something that Jesus taught us not to do?
Some people like to make ugly faces. Some people think that everyone will notice an ugly face. If people notice you, then you must be important.
Religious people fast sometimes to make their faith grow. Do you know what the word "fast" means? (let them answer) Fasting means that you do not eat any food and you drink only enough water to keep you alive. People fast because it is good to get rid of a lot of waste that collects in our bodies. Fasting is also a religious act because when you fast, you are allowing God to remake your body into a temple. But fasting isn't easy. We are not used to being hungry. We eat at least three times a day and sometimes more. When we fast, we give up the pleasure of eating.
Jesus noticed that some people only fasted to get other people's attention. They wanted people to know that they were making a sacrifice for God. They made ugly faces while they were fasting.
Jesus told the people not to make ugly faces to bring attention to their fasting. He told them to look pleasant and to remember the good things they were doing for God and for themselves.
The next time you see someone make an ugly face, tell them Jesus loves them. They only make ugly faces so that people will notice them. We are going to get rid of our ugly faces and put on the faces of people that love Jesus and know that Jesus loves them. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you know how to make a funny looking face? (let them show you their funny faces) Some of those faces were not very funny but kind of scary. I want to see a face that makes me smile, maybe even laugh if it is funny enough. (let them try again) That was much better. Only a couple of scary faces that time.
Now I am looking for an ugly face. I want the ugliest face that you know how to make. (let them try that) Those are pretty good ugly faces. Can you just sit there with your ugly face for a few minutes while I talk about something that Jesus taught us not to do?
Some people like to make ugly faces. Some people think that everyone will notice an ugly face. If people notice you, then you must be important.
Religious people fast sometimes to make their faith grow. Do you know what the word "fast" means? (let them answer) Fasting means that you do not eat any food and you drink only enough water to keep you alive. People fast because it is good to get rid of a lot of waste that collects in our bodies. Fasting is also a religious act because when you fast, you are allowing God to remake your body into a temple. But fasting isn't easy. We are not used to being hungry. We eat at least three times a day and sometimes more. When we fast, we give up the pleasure of eating.
Jesus noticed that some people only fasted to get other people's attention. They wanted people to know that they were making a sacrifice for God. They made ugly faces while they were fasting.
Jesus told the people not to make ugly faces to bring attention to their fasting. He told them to look pleasant and to remember the good things they were doing for God and for themselves.
The next time you see someone make an ugly face, tell them Jesus loves them. They only make ugly faces so that people will notice them. We are going to get rid of our ugly faces and put on the faces of people that love Jesus and know that Jesus loves them. Amen.
