Using the right bait
Children's sermon
Object:
Fishing equipment (make sure the hook is taped to keep
from hooking someone by accident)
How many of you like to fish? (Let them answer.) What do you
need for fishing? (Let them answer.) Let's see -- I have a pole
and a bobber and string and even a hook. Am I missing anything?
(Let them answer.) I am missing something very important -- BAIT!
I don't have any bait! What is bait? (Let them answer.) It's what
attracts the fish, isn't it? Without the bait, why would a fish
want to bite a sharp hook? I don't think it would.
The first people Jesus chose to follow him were Simon and his brother Andrew. They were fishermen and were fishing the day Jesus called them. He told them to follow him and they would no longer catch fish, but would "fish for people."
How do you fish for people? (Let them answer.) I think when you fish for people you don't use poles or a bobber or string or a hook. But I think you do need bait. You need something the people need. Do you have any idea what people need that someone who fishes for people could use? (Let them answer.)
Fish like things like worms for bait. People like to hear really good news. That's the bait people want and need. The story about Jesus is the best news possible. I think that's what Jesus meant when he told the first disciples that they would "fish for people."
Since you and I are disciples like Simon and Andrew, we also want to hear the good news and let Jesus catch us. We also want to tell others of the good news about Jesus and God's love for us. I like being caught by Jesus and I want to tell others this wonderful story of Jesus and his love.
Dear Jesus: Thank you for the good news we all want to hear. Amen.
The first people Jesus chose to follow him were Simon and his brother Andrew. They were fishermen and were fishing the day Jesus called them. He told them to follow him and they would no longer catch fish, but would "fish for people."
How do you fish for people? (Let them answer.) I think when you fish for people you don't use poles or a bobber or string or a hook. But I think you do need bait. You need something the people need. Do you have any idea what people need that someone who fishes for people could use? (Let them answer.)
Fish like things like worms for bait. People like to hear really good news. That's the bait people want and need. The story about Jesus is the best news possible. I think that's what Jesus meant when he told the first disciples that they would "fish for people."
Since you and I are disciples like Simon and Andrew, we also want to hear the good news and let Jesus catch us. We also want to tell others of the good news about Jesus and God's love for us. I like being caught by Jesus and I want to tell others this wonderful story of Jesus and his love.
Dear Jesus: Thank you for the good news we all want to hear. Amen.
