Thinking About The Cross
Children's sermon
... Let the Children Come
Fifty-two Object Lessons For Children In Worship
Object:
Pocket crosses
Good morning, boys and girls. When we look back to the life of Jesus, one of the first things that comes to mind is the cross! In fact, the symbol of the cross is one of the most honored and recognizable of Christianity. It has been fashioned in jewelry, it is used to decorate churches and homes, and there are songs about it. Why do you think the cross is so prominent in the church and in the life of Jesus? (Response -- Because He died on the cross.)
Do you know that the symbol of the cross that we like to see was once a symbol of shame? It was a dreadful thing for anyone to be hanged from a tree or nailed to a cross. It was a death penalty that was only given to the worst of criminals. Was Jesus a criminal? (Response -- No, He was__________________.)
Jesus died on the cross as part of God's plan for winning the world back to himself.
Do you know that Jesus knew that He was going to die on a cross? He told his friends that He was going to Jerusalem and that evil men there would put him to death. He also told them that as his followers they should be prepared to bear their own crosses.
During these days before Easter, we shall be talking and thinking a lot about the cross because we know that in dying on the cross, Jesus made it possible for each of us to be forgiven and made new by God through his sacrifice.
Have you ever seen a pocket cross? (Show one.) I am going to carry this little cross in my pocket as a reminder of God's love to me. I'd like to invite you to join me. Would you like that? (Pass out pocket crosses.)
(Prayer: Thank you, God, for the symbol of the cross that reminds us of Jesus' love for you and your love for us.)
Do you know that the symbol of the cross that we like to see was once a symbol of shame? It was a dreadful thing for anyone to be hanged from a tree or nailed to a cross. It was a death penalty that was only given to the worst of criminals. Was Jesus a criminal? (Response -- No, He was__________________.)
Jesus died on the cross as part of God's plan for winning the world back to himself.
Do you know that Jesus knew that He was going to die on a cross? He told his friends that He was going to Jerusalem and that evil men there would put him to death. He also told them that as his followers they should be prepared to bear their own crosses.
During these days before Easter, we shall be talking and thinking a lot about the cross because we know that in dying on the cross, Jesus made it possible for each of us to be forgiven and made new by God through his sacrifice.
Have you ever seen a pocket cross? (Show one.) I am going to carry this little cross in my pocket as a reminder of God's love to me. I'd like to invite you to join me. Would you like that? (Pass out pocket crosses.)
(Prayer: Thank you, God, for the symbol of the cross that reminds us of Jesus' love for you and your love for us.)
