New Year
Children's sermon
... Let the Children Come
Fifty-two Object Lessons For Children In Worship
Object:
Calendars
Good morning, boys and girls. I have a very special (watch or clock) with me today. (Show them.) Can you tell me what you think is special about this clock? (Responses -- a special gift, belonged to grandfather, bought in foreign country, and so forth.) No, the thing that is special about this clock is that it tells me the proper time only twice a day! You see, it doesn't run! Well, you say, what good is a clock that doesn't work? (Make sure you actually have one that doesn't run.)
You see, this is my own special clock that I use when I want time to stand still. Suppose I want my birthday to last a long time or I'm late filing my tax return, or I'm enjoying a vacation, or any pleasant experience that I don't want to end.
Well, then, I just get out my trusty old clock and the hands never move. I can set them whenever I want them and time will stand still. Isn't that great? Wouldn't you like a clock or watch like that? You'd never be late for school, you'd never get up late, you'd always be on time for dinner or your chores, wouldn't you? (Response -- By this time someone will object that you can't stop time.)
I've been very disappointed because I found that out, too! You can stop the hands of the clock but you cannot stop time. It doesn't stand still. It goes on in regular daily, weekly, monthly, yearly cycles, and none of us can stop it, even if we'd like to.
That makes me realize that time is a very precious gift that God has given to us. There is a wise word in the Bible that tells us that there is a time appointed for all things, especially a time to respond to God.
As we come into a new year that God has given us, let's receive it as a gift from him and use it for our own improvement and to his glory.
Let me put the new year into your hands. (Give calendars.)
(Prayer for the beginning of a new year that we cannot stop or hold back but rather use to glorify God.)
You see, this is my own special clock that I use when I want time to stand still. Suppose I want my birthday to last a long time or I'm late filing my tax return, or I'm enjoying a vacation, or any pleasant experience that I don't want to end.
Well, then, I just get out my trusty old clock and the hands never move. I can set them whenever I want them and time will stand still. Isn't that great? Wouldn't you like a clock or watch like that? You'd never be late for school, you'd never get up late, you'd always be on time for dinner or your chores, wouldn't you? (Response -- By this time someone will object that you can't stop time.)
I've been very disappointed because I found that out, too! You can stop the hands of the clock but you cannot stop time. It doesn't stand still. It goes on in regular daily, weekly, monthly, yearly cycles, and none of us can stop it, even if we'd like to.
That makes me realize that time is a very precious gift that God has given to us. There is a wise word in the Bible that tells us that there is a time appointed for all things, especially a time to respond to God.
As we come into a new year that God has given us, let's receive it as a gift from him and use it for our own improvement and to his glory.
Let me put the new year into your hands. (Give calendars.)
(Prayer for the beginning of a new year that we cannot stop or hold back but rather use to glorify God.)
