Written In The Heavens
Children's sermon
Children's Sermons A To Z
Exegetical Aim: The Kingdom of God surrounds us (v. 9) and our names are written in heaven (v. 20).
Props: An XXL white t--shirt and permanent markers. Hide the t--shirt.
Lesson: I have a question for you this morning: Name something that we are all very close to all day long. (ground) Even closer than the ground. (home, trees, parents are possible answers) Those are all good answers, but they're not what I am thinking of. All day long we are closer to this than we are to anything else. Can you guess what it is? (response) It is so close to us, it touches our skin. (clothes) When they give the right answer bring out the t--shirt. What do I have with me this morning? (response) They are very close to us. They cover our shoulders, our chest, and our stomachs.
I also brought some markers this morning and we're going to write our names on this t--shirt. Do this now and have the older ones help the younger ones or assist them yourself.
Application: Hold up the t--shirt. Jesus said something that reminds me of this t--shirt. He said, "The Kingdom of God is near you." Can you imagine that? Heaven itself is near us. Hold the shirt to your torso or put it on. Just like a t--shirt, it surrounds us, warms us, covers our hearts, and protects us. Jesus said something else that reminds me of this t--shirt. He said, "Be happy (rejoice) because your names are written in heaven." Not only is heaven near you but God is so close to you that he knows your name and he has written your name down in heaven. How wonderful it is to know that heaven surrounds us and that God knows us by name.
Let's Pray: Lord, I pray that these children learn that your kingdom is closer to them than anything else in the world, even closer than a t--shirt. Amen.
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Proper 9
Galatians 6:(1--6) 7--16
Beginnings And Endings
Exegetical Aim: Whatever a man sows, so shall he reap.
Props: An egg, a picture of an elephant, a handful of Cheerios, a doughnut, a flower seed, and a potted flower.
Lesson: Today I thought that I would show you some beginnings and some endings. I'll show you something that's a beginning, and then I'll show you what I think the ending will be. Okay? Hold up the egg. For instance, if I hold up this egg and say this is the beginning, then I know what the end will be, right? Hold up the picture of the elephant. (no) What do you mean, "No!" Won't an elephant come out of an egg like this? (response) Oh, I see. A chicken will come from an egg. Well, let's try another one. Hold up the Cheerios. Now if this is the beginning, and I plant this in the ground, what would be the end? Let them guess for a moment, then hold up the doughnut. If you plant Cheerios in the ground, won't they become doughnuts? (no) Oh, dear, I'm really messing up, aren't I? Let me try one more.
Hold up the little flower seeds. If I plant these flower seeds, what would I get? Would I get this? Hold up the potted plant. (yes) Oh good, I got one right! Now how do you know that if I plant this seed a flower will come? (response) That's right, this is a flower seed. What will become of the egg? (a chicken) And what will become of the Cheerios? (a bowl of cereal)
Application: The Bible says whatever you plant will be the thing that grows. If you are mean to someone, how will they be to you? (response) That's right. They will be mean to you. If you plant mean words, and name calling, it will only turn out bad for everyone. But if you plant niceness in people, and love them, and treat them like you want to be treated, then they will treat you well, and it will work out for the best. Remember, whatever you plant will be the thing that grows.
Let's Pray: Gracious Father, thank you for the seeds that grow into flowers. They remind us to plant good things in our lives so that your goodness can grow. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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Props: An XXL white t--shirt and permanent markers. Hide the t--shirt.
Lesson: I have a question for you this morning: Name something that we are all very close to all day long. (ground) Even closer than the ground. (home, trees, parents are possible answers) Those are all good answers, but they're not what I am thinking of. All day long we are closer to this than we are to anything else. Can you guess what it is? (response) It is so close to us, it touches our skin. (clothes) When they give the right answer bring out the t--shirt. What do I have with me this morning? (response) They are very close to us. They cover our shoulders, our chest, and our stomachs.
I also brought some markers this morning and we're going to write our names on this t--shirt. Do this now and have the older ones help the younger ones or assist them yourself.
Application: Hold up the t--shirt. Jesus said something that reminds me of this t--shirt. He said, "The Kingdom of God is near you." Can you imagine that? Heaven itself is near us. Hold the shirt to your torso or put it on. Just like a t--shirt, it surrounds us, warms us, covers our hearts, and protects us. Jesus said something else that reminds me of this t--shirt. He said, "Be happy (rejoice) because your names are written in heaven." Not only is heaven near you but God is so close to you that he knows your name and he has written your name down in heaven. How wonderful it is to know that heaven surrounds us and that God knows us by name.
Let's Pray: Lord, I pray that these children learn that your kingdom is closer to them than anything else in the world, even closer than a t--shirt. Amen.
?
Proper 9
Galatians 6:(1--6) 7--16
Beginnings And Endings
Exegetical Aim: Whatever a man sows, so shall he reap.
Props: An egg, a picture of an elephant, a handful of Cheerios, a doughnut, a flower seed, and a potted flower.
Lesson: Today I thought that I would show you some beginnings and some endings. I'll show you something that's a beginning, and then I'll show you what I think the ending will be. Okay? Hold up the egg. For instance, if I hold up this egg and say this is the beginning, then I know what the end will be, right? Hold up the picture of the elephant. (no) What do you mean, "No!" Won't an elephant come out of an egg like this? (response) Oh, I see. A chicken will come from an egg. Well, let's try another one. Hold up the Cheerios. Now if this is the beginning, and I plant this in the ground, what would be the end? Let them guess for a moment, then hold up the doughnut. If you plant Cheerios in the ground, won't they become doughnuts? (no) Oh, dear, I'm really messing up, aren't I? Let me try one more.
Hold up the little flower seeds. If I plant these flower seeds, what would I get? Would I get this? Hold up the potted plant. (yes) Oh good, I got one right! Now how do you know that if I plant this seed a flower will come? (response) That's right, this is a flower seed. What will become of the egg? (a chicken) And what will become of the Cheerios? (a bowl of cereal)
Application: The Bible says whatever you plant will be the thing that grows. If you are mean to someone, how will they be to you? (response) That's right. They will be mean to you. If you plant mean words, and name calling, it will only turn out bad for everyone. But if you plant niceness in people, and love them, and treat them like you want to be treated, then they will treat you well, and it will work out for the best. Remember, whatever you plant will be the thing that grows.
Let's Pray: Gracious Father, thank you for the seeds that grow into flowers. They remind us to plant good things in our lives so that your goodness can grow. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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