James 1:22
Children's sermon
B.I.B.L.E.: Be Involved Bible Learners Everyone
A Children's Bible Study
Object:
a Bible, a plugged-in iron, earplugs, earmuffs, a sealed envelope with a card that says, "Don't forget to unplug the iron in the front of church so it does not catch on fire."
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.
-- James 1:22
Materials: a Bible, a plugged-in iron, earplugs, earmuffs, a sealed envelope with a card that says, "Don't forget to unplug the iron in the front of church so it does not catch on fire."
I have received a special message that I'd like someone to read to me because it's very important that I do what it says. (Pick a child to read or have an adult if children are too young.) You need to make sure I follow what the message says. But first, let me put these earplugs in and my earmuffs on. (put them on) Now go ahead and read the message. Something is wrong; I couldn't hear a thing you said. (let them tell you what the problem is) What? Oh, take off the earmuffs and the earplugs. Okay, try it again. (Have the child or adult read the message again. Do not unplug the iron, just start talking about something else.) I like the color on these earmuffs. That reminds me, did anyone hear what the weather is going to be like today? (Say a few more sentences until someone says something about the iron.) Yes, I heard the message. Unplug the iron, so what? I took off the earmuffs and earplugs. I heard the message. Oh, I need to do what the message says. Why is that so important? (let them answer) That's right, so the church doesn't burn down and everyone will be safe. It is important that I not only hear the message, but that I do what it says. I need to hear it and do it. (Unplug the iron and put it in safe place.)
Our verse for today is about the same exact thing. I'll read it from the Bible. It's in the New Testament, the book of James, chapter 1, verse 22. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. (have them repeat) Be doers of the word. What word? (let them answer) That's right, it means the Bible. What does this verse mean? (let them answer) We need to read God's word and listen to God's word, but we need to take action and follow what God tells us to do. What are some things God tells us to do in the Bible? (let them answer) This one verse is telling us a lot. Let's say it together again. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves -- James 1:22.
The last part of the verse, not merely hearers who deceive themselves. What does deceive mean? (let them answer) It means "to lie." What this means is like when I heard about the iron, but I lied to myself or deceived myself by thinking that I could do that later or just forget about the iron. I thought it would be okay, but you already told me what could happen if I didn't do something about the iron. I needed to do what the message said, not just hear it. That's what God is telling us in this verse. We need to do what God tells us to do and live our lives by God's guidelines, because when we do that, our lives are so much more meaningful. Let's remember this verse and do what God's word tells us, not just hear it.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for all the times we can hear your word. Help us every day to do what your word tells us to do by loving you and each other. Amen.
-- James 1:22
Materials: a Bible, a plugged-in iron, earplugs, earmuffs, a sealed envelope with a card that says, "Don't forget to unplug the iron in the front of church so it does not catch on fire."
I have received a special message that I'd like someone to read to me because it's very important that I do what it says. (Pick a child to read or have an adult if children are too young.) You need to make sure I follow what the message says. But first, let me put these earplugs in and my earmuffs on. (put them on) Now go ahead and read the message. Something is wrong; I couldn't hear a thing you said. (let them tell you what the problem is) What? Oh, take off the earmuffs and the earplugs. Okay, try it again. (Have the child or adult read the message again. Do not unplug the iron, just start talking about something else.) I like the color on these earmuffs. That reminds me, did anyone hear what the weather is going to be like today? (Say a few more sentences until someone says something about the iron.) Yes, I heard the message. Unplug the iron, so what? I took off the earmuffs and earplugs. I heard the message. Oh, I need to do what the message says. Why is that so important? (let them answer) That's right, so the church doesn't burn down and everyone will be safe. It is important that I not only hear the message, but that I do what it says. I need to hear it and do it. (Unplug the iron and put it in safe place.)
Our verse for today is about the same exact thing. I'll read it from the Bible. It's in the New Testament, the book of James, chapter 1, verse 22. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. (have them repeat) Be doers of the word. What word? (let them answer) That's right, it means the Bible. What does this verse mean? (let them answer) We need to read God's word and listen to God's word, but we need to take action and follow what God tells us to do. What are some things God tells us to do in the Bible? (let them answer) This one verse is telling us a lot. Let's say it together again. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves -- James 1:22.
The last part of the verse, not merely hearers who deceive themselves. What does deceive mean? (let them answer) It means "to lie." What this means is like when I heard about the iron, but I lied to myself or deceived myself by thinking that I could do that later or just forget about the iron. I thought it would be okay, but you already told me what could happen if I didn't do something about the iron. I needed to do what the message said, not just hear it. That's what God is telling us in this verse. We need to do what God tells us to do and live our lives by God's guidelines, because when we do that, our lives are so much more meaningful. Let's remember this verse and do what God's word tells us, not just hear it.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for all the times we can hear your word. Help us every day to do what your word tells us to do by loving you and each other. Amen.
