Childrens Sermon Service

“...for power came out of him and healed all of them.” (v. 19b)

Good morning wonderful children,

Thanks for joining me. I am so happy to see you and to talk to you today. Are you ready for a special message I have just for you? (children respond)  Here we go.

Ever heard the word bless?  Like “you are blessed” or “you are my blessing?”(children respond) To be blessed is like goodness coming to you. To be blessed is like getting a gift that makes you happy.

Let's practice blessing. (presenter places hand upon the head of a child and says, I bless you in Jesus name) (children may say and do it to one another)

In Luke's gospel, people came to Jesus to be blessed. Like this magnet, the people were attracted to him in large numbers. (show magnet drawing iron particles to it)  He blessed them by healing them of their illnesses and curing them of unclean spirits. 

After the people were healed Jesus surprised everyone. He taught about who was blessed and who was not blessed in God's eyes. He said, those who are blessed are the poor, the hungry, those who are sad and crying and those who are hated because of Jesus.

But then Jesus added, “Woe” which is the opposite of blessing, to others. (show wood particles not attracted to the magnet) Woe to the rich. Woe to those whose bellies are full, Woe to those who are carefree and laughing and woe to those who are complimented for the wrong reasons.

Blessings, on the other hand means, “may goodness come to you.”

Let’s play a woe/blessing game. Answer blessed or woe according to Jesus:

1 - I am in poverty (blessed)
2 - I eat sumptuously (woe)
3 - I have more than enough money (woe)
4 - I own 8 cars and 3 trucks, and five palaces (woe)
5 - I am very hungry (blessed)
6 - I learn about God in Sunday School (blessed)
7 - People don't like it when I tell of Jesus' love (blessed) What are some other blessing situations where Jesus promises goodness to suffering people?

Prayer: Dear Jesus you bless the poor, the hungry, the sick. Bless all who are yearning for your love, healing, and care. Help us to be a blessing to others. Amen.