Shalom
Children's sermon
Object:
a picture of a battle being fought
Good morning! I brought this picture to show you today. What
is happening in this picture? (Show the picture and let them
answer.) Yes, a battle is being fought. Apparently there are two
nations at war with each other, and this is a battle in that war.
When two nations fight each other, it's called "war." Our nation
has been in many wars, and we thank God that we are not in one
now. What do we call it when the nation is not at war? (Let them
answer.) Yes, we call it "peace."
After his resurrection, Jesus remained on the earth for
forty days and appeared to many people. Once he came into a
locked room where his disciples were meeting and he said to them,
"Peace be with you." Of course, Jesus wasn't speaking in English,
so what he would have said to them was "Shalom," which means
"Peace be with you." Let's say that word together. (Let them
repeat the word a few times.)
Now, what do you think Jesus meant by those words? Was he
saying that he didn't want them to be involved in a war? (Let
them answer.) No, that wasn't what he meant. He wanted them to be
happy and comfortable and without fear. Peace means the absence
of conflict and fighting, but that also applies within us.
Think about the last time that you were really worried or
afraid. That's a really terrible feeling, isn't it? (Let them
answer.) Well, when that feeling went away, then you had peace
within you. That's what Jesus wanted for his disciples, and he
wants it for all of us. Those who believe in Jesus can have peace
within them because they know that Jesus loves them and will
always be with them. Do all of you have that peace inside? (Let
them answer.) Good! Let's thank Jesus for giving us that peace.
Dear Lord Jesus: We love you and we know that you want us to
know real peace in our hearts. We thank you for all that you have
done so that we can be at peace. Amen.
is happening in this picture? (Show the picture and let them
answer.) Yes, a battle is being fought. Apparently there are two
nations at war with each other, and this is a battle in that war.
When two nations fight each other, it's called "war." Our nation
has been in many wars, and we thank God that we are not in one
now. What do we call it when the nation is not at war? (Let them
answer.) Yes, we call it "peace."
After his resurrection, Jesus remained on the earth for
forty days and appeared to many people. Once he came into a
locked room where his disciples were meeting and he said to them,
"Peace be with you." Of course, Jesus wasn't speaking in English,
so what he would have said to them was "Shalom," which means
"Peace be with you." Let's say that word together. (Let them
repeat the word a few times.)
Now, what do you think Jesus meant by those words? Was he
saying that he didn't want them to be involved in a war? (Let
them answer.) No, that wasn't what he meant. He wanted them to be
happy and comfortable and without fear. Peace means the absence
of conflict and fighting, but that also applies within us.
Think about the last time that you were really worried or
afraid. That's a really terrible feeling, isn't it? (Let them
answer.) Well, when that feeling went away, then you had peace
within you. That's what Jesus wanted for his disciples, and he
wants it for all of us. Those who believe in Jesus can have peace
within them because they know that Jesus loves them and will
always be with them. Do all of you have that peace inside? (Let
them answer.) Good! Let's thank Jesus for giving us that peace.
Dear Lord Jesus: We love you and we know that you want us to
know real peace in our hearts. We thank you for all that you have
done so that we can be at peace. Amen.
