True heroes
Children's sermon
Object:
a comic book
"For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets -- who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." (v. 32b-34)
Good morning, boys and girls! How many of you can name any superheroes? (allow answers) Wow! That's a lot of superheroes! Can you tell me what special powers your favorite has? (allow answers) I brought a comic book that tells the story of a superhero's adventures. It talks about the bad guys he beats and the good things he does to help people.
There's another book that is kind of like a comic book. In fact, you might be surprised that this book has so many exciting adventures in it! It's a book that you all know -- let's see if you can guess what it is. Here's a clue: We read from it a lot in church. Can you guess what it is? (allow answers) It's the Bible!
Your parents are probably saying, "The Bible? Did we just hear that right?" Yes, the Bible is like a comic book. It might not have any pictures, but it has stories about people who are superheroes. Today's reading gives a whole list of people who did brave and amazing things. All of these people did super deeds! David was a shepherd boy but used his slingshot to kill a giant named Goliath. Samson was a strong man who fought off God's enemies with bravery. Can you think of any Bible stories that are super? (allow answers) Noah built an amazing ark and saved animals and people from dying! Moses stood up to the king of Egypt and led the Israelites to freedom.
All of these superheroes in the Bible have one thing in common: God was on their side. They used their strength, courage, and bravery to serve God. That's what makes the Bible our ultimate comic book. It's not just a book full of rules like the Ten Commandments, prayers, or about how people died for God. It is also about the amazing adventures and the super deeds of people to glorify God. The Bible gives us role models not only of people who followed God by living quiet, peaceful lives, but also of people who had exciting adventures.
Next time you're bored and want to hear a story, pick up your Bible. Have someone help you find an exciting story about people who did awesome things for God. You might even enjoy it more than a story about your favorite caped crusader! Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls! How many of you can name any superheroes? (allow answers) Wow! That's a lot of superheroes! Can you tell me what special powers your favorite has? (allow answers) I brought a comic book that tells the story of a superhero's adventures. It talks about the bad guys he beats and the good things he does to help people.
There's another book that is kind of like a comic book. In fact, you might be surprised that this book has so many exciting adventures in it! It's a book that you all know -- let's see if you can guess what it is. Here's a clue: We read from it a lot in church. Can you guess what it is? (allow answers) It's the Bible!
Your parents are probably saying, "The Bible? Did we just hear that right?" Yes, the Bible is like a comic book. It might not have any pictures, but it has stories about people who are superheroes. Today's reading gives a whole list of people who did brave and amazing things. All of these people did super deeds! David was a shepherd boy but used his slingshot to kill a giant named Goliath. Samson was a strong man who fought off God's enemies with bravery. Can you think of any Bible stories that are super? (allow answers) Noah built an amazing ark and saved animals and people from dying! Moses stood up to the king of Egypt and led the Israelites to freedom.
All of these superheroes in the Bible have one thing in common: God was on their side. They used their strength, courage, and bravery to serve God. That's what makes the Bible our ultimate comic book. It's not just a book full of rules like the Ten Commandments, prayers, or about how people died for God. It is also about the amazing adventures and the super deeds of people to glorify God. The Bible gives us role models not only of people who followed God by living quiet, peaceful lives, but also of people who had exciting adventures.
Next time you're bored and want to hear a story, pick up your Bible. Have someone help you find an exciting story about people who did awesome things for God. You might even enjoy it more than a story about your favorite caped crusader! Amen.
