Persistent
Children's sermon
Object:
a toy train
"I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs." (v. 8)
Good morning, boys and girls! How many of you have heard the story of the little engine that could? (allow answers) It is a story about a train that had to pull a heavy load up a steep hill. The little train was worried that he couldn't make it up the hill. He strained and he worked, and slowly he inched up the hill. He was worried that he wouldn't make it! Instead of giving in and quitting, he said something over and over to himself. As he chugged his way up the hill, he repeated: "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…" His words kept him encouraged and kept him going. Finally, he reached the top of the hill. He did it! Thanks to a positive attitude and refusing to give up, the little engine did something that he wasn't sure he could do.
The story of the little engine teaches us about something called persistence. How many of you have heard the word "persistence" before? (allow answers) Can you say it with me? Persistence! Persistence means not giving up. The little engine was persistent -- he did not give up on himself or of getting to the top of the hill. He could have just said, "Well, I gave it a good try, but I can't do it. Some other train will have to take this load over the hill." Instead, the little engine pushed himself and refused to give up. In the end, he made it over the top of the hill!
Sometimes we have to be persistent with others. Your parents might be persistent in making sure you brush your teeth each night. They might be persistent that you share your toys with your brothers, sisters, or friends. It can take persistence for some lessons to set in!
God is persistent. Throughout the Bible, God sends messengers, or prophets, to his people to tell them to do the right thing. Sometimes they don't listen, but that doesn't stop God! He persistently sends messengers, miracles, and signs so his people will do the right thing.
God wants us to be persistent, too. He wants us to spread God's word and his love to all people. Sometimes we get discouraged when we try to do the right thing. When we feel discouraged, we can remember the little engine and remember God's persistence with his followers. We can do it! Just because the way is difficult does not mean it is impossible. The little engine could do it. God has not given up on his people. God doesn't want us to give up on other people, either. He loves us and wants us to persistently love each other. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls! How many of you have heard the story of the little engine that could? (allow answers) It is a story about a train that had to pull a heavy load up a steep hill. The little train was worried that he couldn't make it up the hill. He strained and he worked, and slowly he inched up the hill. He was worried that he wouldn't make it! Instead of giving in and quitting, he said something over and over to himself. As he chugged his way up the hill, he repeated: "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…" His words kept him encouraged and kept him going. Finally, he reached the top of the hill. He did it! Thanks to a positive attitude and refusing to give up, the little engine did something that he wasn't sure he could do.
The story of the little engine teaches us about something called persistence. How many of you have heard the word "persistence" before? (allow answers) Can you say it with me? Persistence! Persistence means not giving up. The little engine was persistent -- he did not give up on himself or of getting to the top of the hill. He could have just said, "Well, I gave it a good try, but I can't do it. Some other train will have to take this load over the hill." Instead, the little engine pushed himself and refused to give up. In the end, he made it over the top of the hill!
Sometimes we have to be persistent with others. Your parents might be persistent in making sure you brush your teeth each night. They might be persistent that you share your toys with your brothers, sisters, or friends. It can take persistence for some lessons to set in!
God is persistent. Throughout the Bible, God sends messengers, or prophets, to his people to tell them to do the right thing. Sometimes they don't listen, but that doesn't stop God! He persistently sends messengers, miracles, and signs so his people will do the right thing.
God wants us to be persistent, too. He wants us to spread God's word and his love to all people. Sometimes we get discouraged when we try to do the right thing. When we feel discouraged, we can remember the little engine and remember God's persistence with his followers. We can do it! Just because the way is difficult does not mean it is impossible. The little engine could do it. God has not given up on his people. God doesn't want us to give up on other people, either. He loves us and wants us to persistently love each other. Amen.
