Patriotism
Children's sermon
Object:
an American flag
Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the
things that are God's. (v. 21b)
Good morning, boys and girls! Do you know the Pledge of Allegiance? (allow answers) Can you say it with me? (If the children don't know it, invite the congregation to say it with you.) "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The pledge of allegiance is what we say to show our patriotism. Do you know what patriotism is? (allow answers) Patriotism means we're proud to be in our country -- the USA. We sing many songs about being in the USA around the Fourth of July, and we sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" at sporting events. How many of you have heard somebody sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" before a baseball or basketball game? (allow answers) That is our national anthem -- our patriotic song. The "Star-Spangled Banner" and the Pledge of Allegiance are just some of the ways we show pride in our country. What other ways can you think of? (allow answers) Now, can you think of the ways that we show our pride in Jesus? (allow answers)
We sing many hymns in church that are like singing those patriotic songs on the Fourth of July. We also have a Christian version of the pledge of allegiance. It's called the "Apostles' Creed." It begins with "I believe in God, the Father almighty...." We will say this today during the service. Have your mom and dad help you find the words when we say it and listen to them. Our creed tells people what we believe.
In the gospel lesson today, Jesus says, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." Jesus was talking about paying taxes. Some people had asked him if they should pay their taxes, which went to the government, or if they should just give all their money to God. It was a big problem: Can we love God and still respect our country?
The answer is yes. Jesus tells us we should pay our taxes. It's okay to take pride in our country. Our country provides us with things that we need: roads, highways, schools. Our country gives us material things that we need. The church gives us spiritual things. Because of Jesus, we know we're going to go to heaven someday. Because of the church, we can pray when we have troubles. Because of the church, we have a network of people who care about us and our family. Our country can't fulfill our spiritual needs, but it can provide the things we need to live a good life. Thank you, God, and thank you, America! Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls! Do you know the Pledge of Allegiance? (allow answers) Can you say it with me? (If the children don't know it, invite the congregation to say it with you.) "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The pledge of allegiance is what we say to show our patriotism. Do you know what patriotism is? (allow answers) Patriotism means we're proud to be in our country -- the USA. We sing many songs about being in the USA around the Fourth of July, and we sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" at sporting events. How many of you have heard somebody sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" before a baseball or basketball game? (allow answers) That is our national anthem -- our patriotic song. The "Star-Spangled Banner" and the Pledge of Allegiance are just some of the ways we show pride in our country. What other ways can you think of? (allow answers) Now, can you think of the ways that we show our pride in Jesus? (allow answers)
We sing many hymns in church that are like singing those patriotic songs on the Fourth of July. We also have a Christian version of the pledge of allegiance. It's called the "Apostles' Creed." It begins with "I believe in God, the Father almighty...." We will say this today during the service. Have your mom and dad help you find the words when we say it and listen to them. Our creed tells people what we believe.
In the gospel lesson today, Jesus says, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." Jesus was talking about paying taxes. Some people had asked him if they should pay their taxes, which went to the government, or if they should just give all their money to God. It was a big problem: Can we love God and still respect our country?
The answer is yes. Jesus tells us we should pay our taxes. It's okay to take pride in our country. Our country provides us with things that we need: roads, highways, schools. Our country gives us material things that we need. The church gives us spiritual things. Because of Jesus, we know we're going to go to heaven someday. Because of the church, we can pray when we have troubles. Because of the church, we have a network of people who care about us and our family. Our country can't fulfill our spiritual needs, but it can provide the things we need to live a good life. Thank you, God, and thank you, America! Amen.
