Trust in the Lord
Children's sermon
Object:
2 plants -- one dead, one alive
Good morning, boys and girls. I brought two plants with me
this morning. Can anyone tell the difference between the two?
(Let someone answer.) That's right. One plant is living. One
plant is not. I want to tell you a story about these two plants.
One plant is like a person who trusts in God. One plant is like a
person who does not trust in God. See if you can tell me which
one trusts in God.
The dead plant (hold it up) says to itself, "Today I'm going to do what I want to do. If someone gets in my way I'll just push that person over. I'm not interested in stopping to help anyone in trouble. If someone is in trouble, it's that person's fault, not mine. I want to be first in line for everything today. When it's time for my snack, I want the biggest piece. When my teacher asks a question and I know the answer, I'll just say it without raising my hand. I don't care what anyone else thinks."
The living plant (hold it up) says to itself, "Today I'm going to be a friend to others. I will share my toys. I will listen when others speak. I won't push my way in front of others in the lunch line. If someone needs help, I'll stop and see what I can do to help. When my teacher asks a question in class, I will raise my hand before I answer. When it is time for a snack I will wait my turn."
Tell me, which plant trusts in himself? (Let them answer.) The dead plant. It is selfish. It is living for today only. It doesn't care what God thinks of it. Which plant trusts in God? (Let them answer.) The living plant. It thinks of others. It shares things. It is a friend. It is interested in others.
This morning's lesson tells us that people are like plants. People who turn away from God are like plants that live in the desert. They die. People who trust in God are like plants that live by the water. They stay green and give others enjoyment. This week see if you can be like the living plant. Put your trust in God. When you do that you will be like this living plant. You will be a joy to all people around you.
The dead plant (hold it up) says to itself, "Today I'm going to do what I want to do. If someone gets in my way I'll just push that person over. I'm not interested in stopping to help anyone in trouble. If someone is in trouble, it's that person's fault, not mine. I want to be first in line for everything today. When it's time for my snack, I want the biggest piece. When my teacher asks a question and I know the answer, I'll just say it without raising my hand. I don't care what anyone else thinks."
The living plant (hold it up) says to itself, "Today I'm going to be a friend to others. I will share my toys. I will listen when others speak. I won't push my way in front of others in the lunch line. If someone needs help, I'll stop and see what I can do to help. When my teacher asks a question in class, I will raise my hand before I answer. When it is time for a snack I will wait my turn."
Tell me, which plant trusts in himself? (Let them answer.) The dead plant. It is selfish. It is living for today only. It doesn't care what God thinks of it. Which plant trusts in God? (Let them answer.) The living plant. It thinks of others. It shares things. It is a friend. It is interested in others.
This morning's lesson tells us that people are like plants. People who turn away from God are like plants that live in the desert. They die. People who trust in God are like plants that live by the water. They stay green and give others enjoyment. This week see if you can be like the living plant. Put your trust in God. When you do that you will be like this living plant. You will be a joy to all people around you.
