Sin tangles us up
Children's sermon
Object:
a big ball of yarn and a pair of scissors
I need a volunteer today. (Select your helper.) I am going to tie you up, okay? (Make sure your volunteer is okay with this! Now go ahead and wrap the yarn around your volunteer loosely. Wrap the yarn especially around the hands and feet so that they are tangled and cannot move.) All done! Okay. Now, as fast as you can, I want you to run to the back of the church and back. (Make sure your pastor is agreeable to this before beginning. If not, find another way to illustrate today's theme.) It's not easy!
(Keep the volunteer standing with you as you continue.) We sin when we do bad things. Sin is like this yarn. It tangles us up and keeps us from being as free as we can be. When we sin, our lives get complicated. Our scripture today tells us that we should "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." In other words, we should get rid of anything that makes it hard for us to live in the freedom Christ brings us.
So how do we get rid of the sin that tangles us up? We need to be forgiven for the things we do wrong. When we ask God for forgiveness, we become free from sin. All we have to do is ask God to forgive our sins. Forgiveness is like this: (Cut the strings off your volunteer.) All the sin falls away and we aren't tangled up any more. We are free and able to live in all the wonder and joy of God's love.
Now can you move around a little better? I thought so. Jump around and wave your arms for me. Great. You could probably even run really fast now that you aren't tied up. You can go have a seat now. Thanks for your help. The Bible tells us that God has work for us to do. Sin can get in our way, but we can be set free from that. Once we are, we can get on with what God needs us to do. Remember that God wants you to be free. You don't have to be tangled up by your sin and troubles. Ask God to help and he will set you free.
Prayer: Dear God, forgive us of all our sins. Help us be free to live and work for you. Amen.
(Keep the volunteer standing with you as you continue.) We sin when we do bad things. Sin is like this yarn. It tangles us up and keeps us from being as free as we can be. When we sin, our lives get complicated. Our scripture today tells us that we should "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." In other words, we should get rid of anything that makes it hard for us to live in the freedom Christ brings us.
So how do we get rid of the sin that tangles us up? We need to be forgiven for the things we do wrong. When we ask God for forgiveness, we become free from sin. All we have to do is ask God to forgive our sins. Forgiveness is like this: (Cut the strings off your volunteer.) All the sin falls away and we aren't tangled up any more. We are free and able to live in all the wonder and joy of God's love.
Now can you move around a little better? I thought so. Jump around and wave your arms for me. Great. You could probably even run really fast now that you aren't tied up. You can go have a seat now. Thanks for your help. The Bible tells us that God has work for us to do. Sin can get in our way, but we can be set free from that. Once we are, we can get on with what God needs us to do. Remember that God wants you to be free. You don't have to be tangled up by your sin and troubles. Ask God to help and he will set you free.
Prayer: Dear God, forgive us of all our sins. Help us be free to live and work for you. Amen.
