What Do You Do With The Leftover Jelly Beans?
Children's sermon
The Giant Book Of Children's Sermons
Matthew To Revelation
Object: a large bag of jelly beans
Good morning, boys and girls. I need a volunteer this morning, someone who is really something special. This person must love jelly beans. Is there anyone here who really likes jelly beans? (let them answer, and pick a child who will participate in an enthusiastic way) Do you think that you really like jelly beans? (let the child answer) I know that you cannot eat all of the jelly beans that I have brought with me, so I am going to give them to you, and you can save them in any way that you want. (begin handing the child the jelly beans, and, after he has eaten a few, you might suggest that he fill his pockets, take some back to his parents, fill his hands, or try anything so that he can take all of the jelly beans he can carry) Now that you have all the jelly beans that you can carry, what should I do with the ones that I have left? (let the child answer) Should I just throw them away, or wait until you come back next week, or what should I do? (let him answer)
Did I ever tell you the story about the man in the Bible who had such a wonderful year growing his crops that he filled up all of his barns and still had things left over, so the only thing he thought he could do was build some bigger barns? Did I ever tell you this story? He didn't know what else to do but to keep it all for himself. He never thought of sharing it with the people who were hungry. He thought that God just gave it all to him, and that God did not care if all of the rest of the people went hungry or not.
Our own friend did not think of the rest of you either. He (She) was like the rich farmer. Our own friend kept all of the jelly beans to himself, just like the rest of you may have done. When his pockets and hands, and even his mouth were filled, he still wanted more if he could find another place to put them. The rich farmer tore down his barns that were filled and built bigger barns.
Jesus taught us something different. He said that God gives us all that we need, and it would be more than enough if we would share it with others.
Our friend could have shared his jelly beans with each of you, and would probably like to do so now. While he is sharing with you and feeling good about it, I hope that you will remember that you cannot take what God gives to your death, and that it is better if you share when you can.
Good morning, boys and girls. I need a volunteer this morning, someone who is really something special. This person must love jelly beans. Is there anyone here who really likes jelly beans? (let them answer, and pick a child who will participate in an enthusiastic way) Do you think that you really like jelly beans? (let the child answer) I know that you cannot eat all of the jelly beans that I have brought with me, so I am going to give them to you, and you can save them in any way that you want. (begin handing the child the jelly beans, and, after he has eaten a few, you might suggest that he fill his pockets, take some back to his parents, fill his hands, or try anything so that he can take all of the jelly beans he can carry) Now that you have all the jelly beans that you can carry, what should I do with the ones that I have left? (let the child answer) Should I just throw them away, or wait until you come back next week, or what should I do? (let him answer)
Did I ever tell you the story about the man in the Bible who had such a wonderful year growing his crops that he filled up all of his barns and still had things left over, so the only thing he thought he could do was build some bigger barns? Did I ever tell you this story? He didn't know what else to do but to keep it all for himself. He never thought of sharing it with the people who were hungry. He thought that God just gave it all to him, and that God did not care if all of the rest of the people went hungry or not.
Our own friend did not think of the rest of you either. He (She) was like the rich farmer. Our own friend kept all of the jelly beans to himself, just like the rest of you may have done. When his pockets and hands, and even his mouth were filled, he still wanted more if he could find another place to put them. The rich farmer tore down his barns that were filled and built bigger barns.
Jesus taught us something different. He said that God gives us all that we need, and it would be more than enough if we would share it with others.
Our friend could have shared his jelly beans with each of you, and would probably like to do so now. While he is sharing with you and feeling good about it, I hope that you will remember that you cannot take what God gives to your death, and that it is better if you share when you can.
