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Choose from the following Children's Sermons:
Cut it Out! Mark 9:38-50 by Rev.
Randy Quinn (please scroll down)
Doctor Jesus, James 5:13-20
by Rev. Frank Schaefer (please scroll
down)
Protection Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
by Rev. Frank Schaefer (please
scroll down)
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Cut it Out!
a children's sermon based on Mark 9:38-50
by Rev. Randy Quinn
Once upon a time there was a man who had a ring. It not only had a beautiful
opal on it, but it was also magical. Whoever wore the ring became so sweet and
true in character that everyone loved him.
The man had received the ring from his father who had received it from his
father. It was always passed on from father to son, and it always worked.
But as time went on, it came to a father who had three sons whom he loved
with an equal love. What was he to do when the time came to pass on the ring?
(Let children try to answer before continuing)
The father had two other rings made to look just like the special ring. No
one could tell the difference between the rings. Then when he knew he was on his
deathbed, he called in each of his sons, one at a time. Without telling them
about the other rings, he gave a ring to each son.
But eventually the sons found out about the other two rings and a controversy
arose. They wanted to know who had the special ring. How do you think they could
tell them apart?
(Again let the children try to answer)
The three sons took their rings and their story to a wise man that looked at
the rings closely. Then he spoke. “I cannot tell which is the magic ring,” he
said, “but you yourselves can prove it.”
“How can we prove it?” the sons wanted to know.
“The true ring gives sweetness of character to the man who wears it. Everyone
will know which of you has the true ring by the way you live the rest of your
lives. So go, be kind, be truthful, be brave, and be just in your dealings; and
whoever does these things will most certainly be the owner of the true ring.”
In other words, they could ALL have the magic ring if they acted like it was
theirs.
The same is true for Christians. You can tell who are the true Christians by
the way they live their lives. They pray for other people. They love other
people. They care about and care for other people.
I hope you’ll begin to live in a way that shows you belong to Jesus.
Let’s pray:
God, thank you for making me your child. Help me to live my life in a way
that gives honor to you. Help me live my life with a sense of sweetness that
your grace may be seen and experienced through me. Amen.
Doctor Jesus
a children's sermon based on James 5:13-20
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
props: a box with over-the-counter medicine
Greetings, my little friends; today I want to talk about Jesus the doctor.
We often call Jesus God, Savior, and Lord. But, if you think
about it, Jesus could also be called Doctor because he healed so many people.
And even to this very day, Jesus heals people. In our lesson today,
it says that when anyone believer is sick or ill, they should go to the elders of the
church, and the elders should pray over them and annoint them with oil.
Now, what is the first thing we do when we het ill? That's right, we
go to see a doctor. And most of the time, the doctor gives us medicine to get
better, right?
I brought a few samples of medicine that we use often. Do any of you
recognize any of these medications? Tums for heartburn, Aspirin for headaches,
Nyquil for colds, etc.
Can medicine heal all illnesses, though? What do you think?
What can we do if they don't heal us? That's right, according to James 5 --our bible
reading--we can pray to God for healing and even be annointed.
What do you think about that? Isn't that great? Doctor Jesus
promised to heal us. And even when medicine and operations fail, God has provided a
way for us to get healed by prayer and annointing with oil.
Is there anyone here this morning who needs prayer for an illness or an
ache? (If not, conclude with a prayer of thanks for God's promise of healing; if
yes, you could have all other kids lay a hand on the sick child and pray over the child).
Prayer.
Protection
a children's sermon based on Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
props: a bird's nest (a basket with straw will do) and a chicken egg (hard-boiled), placed
in the nest.
Good morning boys and girls. Today, I brought something with me that you can find
outside: a bird's nest with an egg. Don't worry, the egg is just a chicken egg out of my
refrigerator. There isn't a living chick inside. But later we're going to pretend that it
does have a live chick inside. Where do you find nests like this? (backyard, trees,
shrubs...) And who takes care of the eggs? (mother/father bird)
You know, sometimes a storm knocks a nest like this out of the tree and the eggs fall
to the ground. Some time ago, I heard about a little boy who found a bird's egg on the
grass right in his own backyard. What do you think he did when he found the egg on the
ground? He took it inside so he could save the little chick inside. And he took care of
the egg.
Would you do that if you found an egg on the ground? Would you take care of a little
chick inside the egg? How would you take care of it? Would you protect it? Allow the
children to share, give them the egg to show how. It doesn't matter whether what they say
is practicable or not, just allow them to share their love and compassion.
Conclusion: would you ever forget about the egg for a day or two? Or
would you make sure that it stays warm and protected at all times? You know, in our OT
bible lesson today, God took care of his people, during very dangerous times.
Through queen Esther, who was a Jew, God protected them. Queen Esther was able to
stop an evil man named Haman to hurt the Jews who lived in the kingdom.
I want you to know this morning that God loves you and cares for you just as you would
for a little chick. Our bible story gives us an example, how God--through queeen
Esther, protected his people.
God will always watch over you. God will never leave you out of his sight, not
even for a little while. God will always care for you. God has promised to be faithful to
you and me.
Let us thank God for his faithfulness and his love and his protection for us.
Prayer.
