Sharing with others
Children's sermon
Object:
an offering plate
Good morning, boys and girls. I have something to talk about today that we use in our church service every week. (hold up the offering plate) What is it? (let them answer) It's an offering plate. Can you tell me what an offering plate is for? (let them answer) We pass it around part way through the service and people put money or envelopes in it. Do you know where the money comes from? (let them answer) Right, it comes from the people in the church. Some people put dollars and change that rattles when it goes in. Sometimes children put dimes and nickels and quarters in. Sometimes it's their own money and sometimes their parents give it to them to put in. How many of you have put money in the offering plate as it is passed by you? (let them answer) Sometimes people put the money in a special envelope because they decide to give a certain amount and they put some of it in each week. Sometimes we take special offerings for special things. (mention offerings that are common in your own church; Blanket Sunday, One Great Hour of Sharing) We know what special offerings are for, but what about the regular offerings? What is all the money for? (let them answer) Part of it goes for our church and part of it goes for others outside our church. What do you think we use it for at our church? (let them respond) It pays for the church building, the lights, the heat, the church school books, the organist, the choir director, and the minister. (tell about your church's budget) The part that goes to people outside our church is for church colleges, mission projects, missionaries, hospitals or nursing homes, or food and clothing for very poor people. That's a lot of money to put in one offering plate!
Our lesson today talks about how before Jesus came, the people had a different kind of offering. They used to bring animals to church and then the animals would be burned by special rules. They called it burnt offerings. That doesn't sound like a very good way to help other people, does it? When Jesus came, they stopped having burnt offerings and Jesus taught people a better way to give. Jesus said to share your time, your special talents, and your treasures: that's your money. That's why we give offerings in this offering plate. We are sharing what we have with others.
Our lesson today talks about how before Jesus came, the people had a different kind of offering. They used to bring animals to church and then the animals would be burned by special rules. They called it burnt offerings. That doesn't sound like a very good way to help other people, does it? When Jesus came, they stopped having burnt offerings and Jesus taught people a better way to give. Jesus said to share your time, your special talents, and your treasures: that's your money. That's why we give offerings in this offering plate. We are sharing what we have with others.
