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Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have a favorite stuffed animal at home? (Let them answer.) What are some of the stuffed animals that you have? (Let them answer.) I brought a favorite stuffed animal with me this morning. (Tell the background of your animal.) This animal reminds me of this morning's lesson.

There was a little boy about your age who liked to play with stuffed animals. He had many of them. Each was like a family member to him. He named each of his animals. Some were moms and dads. Some were children. The children were brothers and sisters. The boy loved to play with these animals. His stuffed animals included dogs, cats, sheep, turtles, and many other animals. Even though some were cats and some were dogs and others were sheep and turtles, he considered them all to be in the same family -- his family. One of his friends told him that dogs and cats and sheep and turtles couldn't be brothers and sisters. The little boy didn't mind when he heard this. The boy loved all of his stuffed animals. It didn't matter what kind of animals he had. They were all brothers and sisters to him. Do you feel the same way about your stuffed animals? (Let them answer.)

Here's why this story reminds me of this morning's lesson. Jesus calls all who follow him brothers and sisters. That means that (point to yourself and some of the children) you and I are brothers and sisters in Christ. All of you here this morning and all of the persons in church this morning are like the little boy's stuffed animals. We are all brothers and sisters in Jesus.

The next time you play with your stuffed animals remember Jesus. Just as your stuffed animals are brothers and sisters, all people who follow Jesus are brothers and sisters also.