Oh, Lord, It's Hard To Be Humble
Children's sermon
Children's Sermons A To Z
Exegetical Aim: To teach humility before God in prayer.
Props: None.
Lesson: Usually when we gather up here, we talk to one another about different things, but this morning I'd really like to pray, but I need you to help me. Would you help me pray? (response) Good, let's pray: As you pray fold your hands, look up to heaven, and pray in a prideful manner. "God, I thank you that I'm not like other boys and girls. They're all a bunch of brats, they are mean and nasty, and they lie all the time. God, I thank you I'm better than those other boys and girls; I am so good because I give my money to the church. Amen." Well? Pause and look around at the children, expressing a desire for a response about how you did in your prayer. If no response is given, ask them for one: How did I do? (response) What was wrong with that? (no) Why? (response) You mean I shouldn't say that other boys and girls are mean and nasty and call them a bunch of brats? (no) Can you tell me how I should pray? (response) What else can I say? (response)
Okay, let me try it again. Would you help me pray again? (response) Oh, thanks, you've been so much help! Let's pray again: Bow your head and humbly pray "God, please forgive me, I am a sinner. I am not always nice to people and sometimes I'm mean to my mom and my dad and my brothers and sisters and friends, and I say things I shouldn't say. Please forgive me." Well? (response) How did I do this time? (response) Why is that way right and the other way wrong? (response)
Application: Does anyone know what being humble means? (response) It means not looking down on other people. We are not supposed to think that we are better than everyone else. Being humble means putting ourselves last and putting others first and asking God for forgiveness. It's very important to be humble because Jesus said, "He who looks down on people will be brought down himself, and he who humbles himself will be lifted up." What do you think Jesus meant by that? (response) That's right. God will forgive those who are humble, but he will not forgive those who are proud. Thanks for helping me with my prayers. I'll try to be humble so God will forgive me.
Let's Pray: Oh, Lord, it's hard to be humble, but none of us are perfect. Only you are perfect. Teach us to be humble. Amen.
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Proper 25
2 Timothy 4:6--8, 16--18
Crown Of Righteousness
Exegetical Aim: To demonstrate that there are rewards for our faithfulness.
Props: A trophy, a medal or certificate of achievement, and construction paper crowns. To make the crowns: Cut V's across the top of the construction paper. Then round the construction paper together and tape it. Make sure you have enough for every child. You should keep the crowns hidden from sight until the end.
Lesson: Have you ever been in a race and received an award for winning? (response) How about getting a certificate for being good in a subject at school? (response) Adapt the following as it pertains to you: Let me show you something that I received. Show them the trophy. When I was younger, I was on a basketball team and I got this trophy at the end of the year. And when I was in high school, I did so well in math that I received this medal. But I want to talk to you about people a long time ago. In the ancient world, when people would race each other, the person who won didn't get a trophy or a medal or a certificate. Pull one of the paper crowns out and put it on your head. The person who won the race received a special crown. And whenever the winner wore the crown, everyone knew that the person had done a great job.
Application: The Apostle Paul liked to go to these games and he remembered seeing athletes receive crowns for winning the race. He said, "That's the way it's going to be for us when we finally see God. He is going to give us a crown of righteousness." What is a crown of righteousness? (responses, if any) It's the prize we are going to receive from God for doing good things and trusting in him. Today I want to give each of you one of these crowns. Pass out the crowns. And whenever you wear it, I don't want you to pretend to be a king or a queen. I want you to remember that this crown is to remind you to do what God wants you to do. Take it to your parents, and tell them what kind of crown it is: a crown of righteousness.
Let's Pray: Oh, Father, we thank you that when we see you someday, you will remember us in a wonderful way. Help us to do all that you want us to do, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
?
Props: None.
Lesson: Usually when we gather up here, we talk to one another about different things, but this morning I'd really like to pray, but I need you to help me. Would you help me pray? (response) Good, let's pray: As you pray fold your hands, look up to heaven, and pray in a prideful manner. "God, I thank you that I'm not like other boys and girls. They're all a bunch of brats, they are mean and nasty, and they lie all the time. God, I thank you I'm better than those other boys and girls; I am so good because I give my money to the church. Amen." Well? Pause and look around at the children, expressing a desire for a response about how you did in your prayer. If no response is given, ask them for one: How did I do? (response) What was wrong with that? (no) Why? (response) You mean I shouldn't say that other boys and girls are mean and nasty and call them a bunch of brats? (no) Can you tell me how I should pray? (response) What else can I say? (response)
Okay, let me try it again. Would you help me pray again? (response) Oh, thanks, you've been so much help! Let's pray again: Bow your head and humbly pray "God, please forgive me, I am a sinner. I am not always nice to people and sometimes I'm mean to my mom and my dad and my brothers and sisters and friends, and I say things I shouldn't say. Please forgive me." Well? (response) How did I do this time? (response) Why is that way right and the other way wrong? (response)
Application: Does anyone know what being humble means? (response) It means not looking down on other people. We are not supposed to think that we are better than everyone else. Being humble means putting ourselves last and putting others first and asking God for forgiveness. It's very important to be humble because Jesus said, "He who looks down on people will be brought down himself, and he who humbles himself will be lifted up." What do you think Jesus meant by that? (response) That's right. God will forgive those who are humble, but he will not forgive those who are proud. Thanks for helping me with my prayers. I'll try to be humble so God will forgive me.
Let's Pray: Oh, Lord, it's hard to be humble, but none of us are perfect. Only you are perfect. Teach us to be humble. Amen.
?
Proper 25
2 Timothy 4:6--8, 16--18
Crown Of Righteousness
Exegetical Aim: To demonstrate that there are rewards for our faithfulness.
Props: A trophy, a medal or certificate of achievement, and construction paper crowns. To make the crowns: Cut V's across the top of the construction paper. Then round the construction paper together and tape it. Make sure you have enough for every child. You should keep the crowns hidden from sight until the end.
Lesson: Have you ever been in a race and received an award for winning? (response) How about getting a certificate for being good in a subject at school? (response) Adapt the following as it pertains to you: Let me show you something that I received. Show them the trophy. When I was younger, I was on a basketball team and I got this trophy at the end of the year. And when I was in high school, I did so well in math that I received this medal. But I want to talk to you about people a long time ago. In the ancient world, when people would race each other, the person who won didn't get a trophy or a medal or a certificate. Pull one of the paper crowns out and put it on your head. The person who won the race received a special crown. And whenever the winner wore the crown, everyone knew that the person had done a great job.
Application: The Apostle Paul liked to go to these games and he remembered seeing athletes receive crowns for winning the race. He said, "That's the way it's going to be for us when we finally see God. He is going to give us a crown of righteousness." What is a crown of righteousness? (responses, if any) It's the prize we are going to receive from God for doing good things and trusting in him. Today I want to give each of you one of these crowns. Pass out the crowns. And whenever you wear it, I don't want you to pretend to be a king or a queen. I want you to remember that this crown is to remind you to do what God wants you to do. Take it to your parents, and tell them what kind of crown it is: a crown of righteousness.
Let's Pray: Oh, Father, we thank you that when we see you someday, you will remember us in a wonderful way. Help us to do all that you want us to do, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
?
