Staying Focused
Children's sermon
Object:
a compass, a novelty LED flashing button
“When the days drew near for [Jesus] to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” (v. 51)
Good morning boys and girls,
Today I have some fun and interesting visual aids to show you. I have a compass, and I have this flashing button I will wear on my (lapel, collar).
Now in Luke's gospel: Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. He knew his mission would be completed when he arrived in the great city. Do you know what happened to Jesus when he got to Jerusalem? (children guess) Yes, he would suffer and die for the sins of the world. Jesus was focused on that purpose. He would not be distracted.
Now let's try an experiment. I want you to look at my face while I continue to talk.
Do not be distracted by anything. Look at my face. Look at my eyes. Nothing else. (presenter turns on novelty flashing Led light as a distraction)
As Jesus headed for Jerusalem, some Samaritans tried to distract him. (I hope nobody looked at this thing on my lapel. Did anybody sneak a look?) Jesus kept his eye on Jerusalem. Nothing else. Later, some people wanted to follow Jesus, but offered to follow Jesus at a later time. They had other things to do first. So Jesus said “no.”
First things first. Stay focused.
Now you may take your eyes off of my face and look at this compass. (show compass)
Does a compass tell you what time it is? (children respond) Does a compass tell you the temperature? (children respond) No, a compass helps you get to your destination. A compass shows true north. Like a compass in his heart, Jesus kept his eye on Jerusalem. He stayed on course. He stayed true to his mission.
As kids and adults too, we are not to get distracted. We are to follow Christ, looking neither here nor there. We are to focus. Jesus calls us to stay true to his mission.
Are there things that distract you from Christ? (children respond) What helps to keep you true to Jesus' mission? (children respond)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, as you focused on your mission to go to Jerusalem, lead us by the Holy Spirit that we too may stay focused on you, on love, on following you. Amen.
Good morning boys and girls,
Today I have some fun and interesting visual aids to show you. I have a compass, and I have this flashing button I will wear on my (lapel, collar).
Now in Luke's gospel: Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. He knew his mission would be completed when he arrived in the great city. Do you know what happened to Jesus when he got to Jerusalem? (children guess) Yes, he would suffer and die for the sins of the world. Jesus was focused on that purpose. He would not be distracted.
Now let's try an experiment. I want you to look at my face while I continue to talk.
Do not be distracted by anything. Look at my face. Look at my eyes. Nothing else. (presenter turns on novelty flashing Led light as a distraction)
As Jesus headed for Jerusalem, some Samaritans tried to distract him. (I hope nobody looked at this thing on my lapel. Did anybody sneak a look?) Jesus kept his eye on Jerusalem. Nothing else. Later, some people wanted to follow Jesus, but offered to follow Jesus at a later time. They had other things to do first. So Jesus said “no.”
First things first. Stay focused.
Now you may take your eyes off of my face and look at this compass. (show compass)
Does a compass tell you what time it is? (children respond) Does a compass tell you the temperature? (children respond) No, a compass helps you get to your destination. A compass shows true north. Like a compass in his heart, Jesus kept his eye on Jerusalem. He stayed on course. He stayed true to his mission.
As kids and adults too, we are not to get distracted. We are to follow Christ, looking neither here nor there. We are to focus. Jesus calls us to stay true to his mission.
Are there things that distract you from Christ? (children respond) What helps to keep you true to Jesus' mission? (children respond)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, as you focused on your mission to go to Jerusalem, lead us by the Holy Spirit that we too may stay focused on you, on love, on following you. Amen.
