The Sawhorse
Children's sermon
That Seeing, They May Believe
52 Children's Object Lessons
Object:
A real or toy sawhorse
Purpose: To show that even simple things can be used to serve
God.
Lesson: Do you know what this is? It is a sawhorse and it is used
by people who want to cut wood. The sawhorse holds the wood up
high so that it can be easily cut. A number of years ago, a man
who lived in Port Hope, Canada, used a sawhorse to serve God and
his fellow man. His name was Joseph Scriven. He was born in
Ireland; but he moved to Canada when he was a young man. The
story is told of him that the death of a young lady he was going
to marry, on the night before their wedding, caused him to turn
to his father for comfort and reassurance. Some time later, he
wrote a poem to share his experience with others, he wrote a poem
to share his experience with others. We can hear that poem when
we sing a hymn that is a favorite of many people. It is the hymn,
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus."
After Joseph found peace in the life and words of Jesus, he
tried to live his faith by helping people who were in need. This
is where the sawhorse comes in. One day, for example, Joseph
Scriven was seen on the street of his town dressed in working
clothes and carrying his sawhorse. He was on his way to help a
needy neighbor. Two men passed by him. One was
a stranger to the community, and he asked his friend about the
man with the sawhorse. He was looking for someone whom he could
hire to cut some wood.
"Oh," said the other man, "that is Mr. Scriven. I'm afraid
that he wouldn't work for you because you are able to pay for the
work. Mr. Scriven saws wood only for the poor widows and sick
people."
Today, near Rice Lake in Canada, there is a monument that has
been built by the people of his community to the memory of Joseph
Scriven. It stands as a constant reminder that a man inspired by
the life and teachings of Jesus can use even the simplest things
in life -- like a sawhorse -- to bring honor and glory to God and
to show concern for one's neighbors.
Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home:
* When a sawhorse is being used, or you use firewood in your
fireplace.
* When there is a sick or needy neighbor and there is something
you and your children can do to help.
* When a child feels inferior because of small talents or limited
materials with which to work.
God.
Lesson: Do you know what this is? It is a sawhorse and it is used
by people who want to cut wood. The sawhorse holds the wood up
high so that it can be easily cut. A number of years ago, a man
who lived in Port Hope, Canada, used a sawhorse to serve God and
his fellow man. His name was Joseph Scriven. He was born in
Ireland; but he moved to Canada when he was a young man. The
story is told of him that the death of a young lady he was going
to marry, on the night before their wedding, caused him to turn
to his father for comfort and reassurance. Some time later, he
wrote a poem to share his experience with others, he wrote a poem
to share his experience with others. We can hear that poem when
we sing a hymn that is a favorite of many people. It is the hymn,
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus."
After Joseph found peace in the life and words of Jesus, he
tried to live his faith by helping people who were in need. This
is where the sawhorse comes in. One day, for example, Joseph
Scriven was seen on the street of his town dressed in working
clothes and carrying his sawhorse. He was on his way to help a
needy neighbor. Two men passed by him. One was
a stranger to the community, and he asked his friend about the
man with the sawhorse. He was looking for someone whom he could
hire to cut some wood.
"Oh," said the other man, "that is Mr. Scriven. I'm afraid
that he wouldn't work for you because you are able to pay for the
work. Mr. Scriven saws wood only for the poor widows and sick
people."
Today, near Rice Lake in Canada, there is a monument that has
been built by the people of his community to the memory of Joseph
Scriven. It stands as a constant reminder that a man inspired by
the life and teachings of Jesus can use even the simplest things
in life -- like a sawhorse -- to bring honor and glory to God and
to show concern for one's neighbors.
Possible Times To Use This Illustration In The Home:
* When a sawhorse is being used, or you use firewood in your
fireplace.
* When there is a sick or needy neighbor and there is something
you and your children can do to help.
* When a child feels inferior because of small talents or limited
materials with which to work.
