Popular John
Children's sermon
Object:
A campaign poster or bumper sticker of a popular
politician
I brought with me today a poster of a candidate who ran for
office. Can any of you tell me who this person is? (Let them
answer.) Can you tell me what office he ran for? (Let them
answer.)
People who run for office want you to know who they are. They print thousands of posters and bumper stickers. What else do they do? (Let them answer.) They advertise on radio and television. They try to meet as many people as possible. They want to do everything they can to make sure that people know who they are so that people will vote for them and so they might get a job in government service. In other words, they want to be popular.
John the Baptist was a very popular man. Did he run for public office? (Let them answer.) No, he did not. Why do you think he was so popular? (Let them answer.)
John the Baptist was popular because he gave the people something in what he said. He gave them good news. He said things that people needed to hear. He said important things. Some of the things John said may not sound like good news as we read about John, but it was to most people. It was good news from God and the people knew that John the Baptist spoke as a prophet of God.
That kind of good news is needed today as well. We in the church try to do everything we can to speak and live the good news we have from God. Our children's sermons, our worship service, our sermons, our hymns -- all are good news to people who need to hear the good news about God. Thank you for helping me share the good news one more time!
Dear God: Thank you for the good news we have about Jesus. Amen.
(Looking to next week: If you use the James 5:7 text, plant a bean seed if you have not already done so. If you planted one last week, plant a new one today so you can better illustrate the James text.)
People who run for office want you to know who they are. They print thousands of posters and bumper stickers. What else do they do? (Let them answer.) They advertise on radio and television. They try to meet as many people as possible. They want to do everything they can to make sure that people know who they are so that people will vote for them and so they might get a job in government service. In other words, they want to be popular.
John the Baptist was a very popular man. Did he run for public office? (Let them answer.) No, he did not. Why do you think he was so popular? (Let them answer.)
John the Baptist was popular because he gave the people something in what he said. He gave them good news. He said things that people needed to hear. He said important things. Some of the things John said may not sound like good news as we read about John, but it was to most people. It was good news from God and the people knew that John the Baptist spoke as a prophet of God.
That kind of good news is needed today as well. We in the church try to do everything we can to speak and live the good news we have from God. Our children's sermons, our worship service, our sermons, our hymns -- all are good news to people who need to hear the good news about God. Thank you for helping me share the good news one more time!
Dear God: Thank you for the good news we have about Jesus. Amen.
(Looking to next week: If you use the James 5:7 text, plant a bean seed if you have not already done so. If you planted one last week, plant a new one today so you can better illustrate the James text.)
