Childrens Sermon Service

Object: Some kind of noisemaker like a horn, a whistle, pan lids, or anything else that can make a racket without hurting anything. A robe or fancy piece of cloth to drape over the shoulders.

NOTE: When you have the children play the parts and say the words, the more you encourage them to have fun with it the more memorable it will be.

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Hi, everyone! (Let them respond.) I have a question for you today. Can anyone tell me what a show-off is? (Let them respond.) Yes, when someone is showing off, they are trying to get everyone to look at them and pay attention to them, aren’t they? (Let them respond.) Well, our story today tells us that one day Jesus was talking with a bunch of people who had all come to see him. And you know what? There were some show-offs there. They were dressed in all of their fancy clothes and were standing right up in front of the crowd where everyone could see them. And since they were standing there in front of everyone else the other people were having a really hard time seeing Jesus and hearing what he was saying. I think they were showing off, don’t you? (Let them respond.)

Jesus saw what they were doing and decided to tell them all a couple of stories. I brought a few things we could use to help remember those stories and need two volunteers to help me. Who would like to help me with the first story? (Let them respond.)

Jesus told them a story about two people who heard that a family in town was having some big problems and needed help. When they heard that, the two people decided they would give that family some money to help them out. The two people went to the family’s house and knocked on the door. When someone in the family opened the door, the first person stepped up, reached under his coat, and pulled out a big horn. (Change “horn” to whatever noisemaker you are using.) They made a lot of loud noise for a minute and then stopped. (Have the child make the noise.) Then they looked at all of the people who had come to find out what the noise was and shouted at them, “I am giving these people a gift. A BIG gift!” (Have the child shout at everyone.) And then they made more noise so everyone would know what they were doing. (Have the child make more noise.) Finally, they handed their gift to the family and then walked around waving at everyone who was watching them before they went home. (Have the child bow and wave to the crowds as they walk away and sit down.)

While that was going on, the second person quietly walked up to the door, reached in their pocket, and got the little gift they had brought and handed it to the family, (Have the second child quietly hand the gift.) Then they quietly walked away down the sidewalk and went home. (Have the child tiptoe away and sit down.) They were so quiet nobody even noticed they had given the family the gift.

When Jesus finished that story he said, when you help someone in need, don’t show-off.

Then Jesus told the group another story. Who would like to be the two people to help us tell this story? (Let them respond.) Great. (Give one child the robe or cloth to drape over their head and shoulders.) Jesus said there were two people who went to the church to pray. The first person stood up in front of everyone, put on fancy robes (Have the child stand and put on the robe.) and then shouted to everyone, “I am going to pray now!” (Have the child shout to everyone “I am going to pray!”.) They started praying really loudly (Have the child shout, “I am praying!”.) and kept getting louder and louder. (Have the child yell louder.) They prayed with their eyes closed, but every once in a while opened them to make sure everyone was looking at them. (Have the child do that.) Finally, they stopped, took a deep breath, and said very loudly, “AMEN!” and sat down. (Have the child say a loud and long “AMEN” and then sit down.)

While all of that was going on, the other person sat in their seat, closed their eyes, and bowed their head. (Have the second child do that.) They didn’t make a sound and they didn’t open their eyes to see who was watching. When they were finished praying, they opened their eyes, smiled, (Have the second child do that.) and no one even knew they had been praying.

When Jesus finished that story he said when you want to pray to God, don’t show-off.

You know, sometimes I think we all forget that God loves every one of us, no matter who we are, or where we are, or what we look like, and we don’t need to show off to be special. Let’s say a prayer to ask God to help us remember that God loves us and just wants us to take care of each other.

Prayer:
Dear God, please help us remember that you want us to let the people around us know that we love them just like Jesus loves us. Amen.