Childrens Sermon Service

The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (vv. 22-23)

Object: For this message, we will use an object that comes in several pieces. I used a small vacuum cleaner that had the vacuum unit, a hose, a hose extension, and an attachment that went on the end of the extension. You might use a kitchen mixer that has the mixer, a bowl, and a mixing attachment. You might use a video game console, with the console, the game cartridge, and the player controls. It helps if the object is large enough for everyone to see well, but any object that has pieces can work and let you have some fun with the message. If you use something other than a vacuum, you will need to modify what you ask them to do with the pieces. Also, since I knew there was an electrical outlet nearby that we could use, as I first showed the pieces of the vacuum, I dropped a few little pieces of paper on the floor that would need to be vacuumed up.

Note: When I used the vacuum, I began by placing all of the pieces on the floor where everyone could see them, and then gave each piece to one of the children. You could ask for volunteers or select the children you believe can help.

Hello, everyone! It is great to see you today! (Let them respond.) I have a question for you. One day when Jesus was with his disciples, he went off by himself and prayed to God. And when he prayed, he asked God to do something for us. He said it was something very special and very important. Does anyone have an idea of what Jesus asked God to do for us? (Let them respond.) Well, instead of just telling you what Jesus asked God to do for us, let’s see if I can help us all figure it out for ourselves.

I have some things here that will help us figure out what Jesus asked God to do for us. (Begin showing pieces of the object and set them on the floor where everyone can see them. Scatter the pieces of paper at the same time.) I’ll bet some of you might know what these pieces are, don’t you? (Let them respond.) And, if you will help me, I think these pieces might help us figure out what Jesus asked God to do for us. (Give a piece to each child you selected.)

Okay, each of you has a piece to use, so here is what I want you to do. It looks like I dropped some pieces of paper on the floor, and I don’t want to leave a mess when we’re done, so I wonder if you would help me vacuum them up? (Let them respond.) Why don’t you try it? (Select one of the children with a piece of the vacuum and have them use their piece to try and vacuum the paper.) Hmmm, how did that work? (Let them respond.) Not very well, huh? Well, what if you try? (Have the next child try until all have tried to vacuum up the paper with their piece of the vacuum.)

Note: As you do this, some children may start telling you to connect the pieces together. Don’t ignore them but keep trying the individual pieces until all of the children with pieces have had their chance. By the time you finish, the children may be yelling at you to connect the pieces. That would be great!

That isn’t working. Does anyone have an idea how we might make this work? (Let them respond.) Put the pieces together? Do you think that might work? (Let them respond.) Okay, let’s try that. (Put the pieces together, plug the vacuum in, and vacuum up the paper.)

Hey, we did it! When we connected all of the pieces so they could work together, we were able to get it done. And do you know what? That is exactly what Jesus asked God to help us do. To help us be together just like the pieces of our vacuum cleaner.

If you look at us we are all very different, aren’t we? (Let them respond.) And that is how God created us. But even though we are different, when we all work together we can do some really amazing things to help other people! And that is what Jesus asked God to help us do; to work together as one so we could do amazing things that we just can’t do on our own.

Let’s all pray together and ask God to help us work together to take care of each other. And let’s remember how much God loves every one of us no matter who we are, what we have, or where we are from and ask God to help us remember to do the things God wants us to do to take care of each other.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for reminding us how much you love us. Please help us remember that you love all of the people you have created and help us let the people around us know that we love them just like Jesus loves us. Amen.