Stand firm!
Children's sermon
Object:
A box of candy (enough for each child)
Good morning! We all know that God wants us to do what is
right and good and not let ourselves be tempted to do what is
wrong. Sometimes it is very hard to do this even when we know what
is right and good.
Let's see if I can show you what I mean with a little
demonstration. I have here a box of candy. There is enough here so
each of you can have a piece. Would you all like to have one of
these? (Let them answer.)
Okay, you can all have one if one of you can pass a test. I'm
going to ask __________ to hold this box of candy and stand right
here. (Pick a child who you are sure will not succumb to
temptation.) Now, if __________ stands firm in this spot for one
minute, you will all get a piece of candy. However, if he/she
moves off of this spot during the minute, nobody will get any
candy. Do you all understand? (Let them answer.)
Okay, we need a timekeeper. __________, you watch the time
and let us know when one minute has passed. We'll begin now. (As
soon as the time begins try to tempt the child to move by offering
him/her extra candy or any other kind of incentive to move. Keep
reminding him/her, however, of the consequences if he/she does
move.)
Well, the minute is up and __________ stood firm and didn't
move. Let's all give him/her a big hand. (Let them clap.) Standing
firm was the right thing to do so that everyone would get a piece
of candy. (Hand out the candy.)
Many times in your life you are going to be tempted to do the
wrong thing and not stand firm like __________ did. When that
happens, what should we do? (Let them answer. If they have
trouble, remind them that God will always give us strength to meet
temptations.)
Dear Jesus: Please give us the strength to stand firm when we are
tempted. Amen.
right and good and not let ourselves be tempted to do what is
wrong. Sometimes it is very hard to do this even when we know what
is right and good.
Let's see if I can show you what I mean with a little
demonstration. I have here a box of candy. There is enough here so
each of you can have a piece. Would you all like to have one of
these? (Let them answer.)
Okay, you can all have one if one of you can pass a test. I'm
going to ask __________ to hold this box of candy and stand right
here. (Pick a child who you are sure will not succumb to
temptation.) Now, if __________ stands firm in this spot for one
minute, you will all get a piece of candy. However, if he/she
moves off of this spot during the minute, nobody will get any
candy. Do you all understand? (Let them answer.)
Okay, we need a timekeeper. __________, you watch the time
and let us know when one minute has passed. We'll begin now. (As
soon as the time begins try to tempt the child to move by offering
him/her extra candy or any other kind of incentive to move. Keep
reminding him/her, however, of the consequences if he/she does
move.)
Well, the minute is up and __________ stood firm and didn't
move. Let's all give him/her a big hand. (Let them clap.) Standing
firm was the right thing to do so that everyone would get a piece
of candy. (Hand out the candy.)
Many times in your life you are going to be tempted to do the
wrong thing and not stand firm like __________ did. When that
happens, what should we do? (Let them answer. If they have
trouble, remind them that God will always give us strength to meet
temptations.)
Dear Jesus: Please give us the strength to stand firm when we are
tempted. Amen.
