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Lent

  • Palm Sunday Walk with Jesus

    Children's drama for Palm Sunday / Holy Week      

    (Different denominations approach this day in a variety of ways. As young children often don’t come to Good Fridayservices I’m trying to highlight the importance of the cross)
     
    Theme: Journey to the Cross, Holy Week
     
    Children's object lesson Props: “Palm” branches, Bread and Wine symbols, towel and basin, Cross
     
    Children's sermon idea: Consider each of the above items that signify events during the final week of Jesus physical ministry on earth. Physically walking to each of these helps the children (and adults if they are watching) get a feel for the sequence of these important events.
     
    Time:The idea is that this would move quite quickly. It can probably be done in about 6 minutes unless you want to stretch it out to include more teaching.
     
    Full Children's sermon: (Set up 4 “stations” across the front of the church with the various symbols.)
     
    Good Morning Children! This morning is Palm Sunday. This is the day we remember when Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey. As he came down the hill into Jerusalem all the people welcomed him by shouting “Hosanna” and waving palm branches in the air. This was the beginning of some very important events in Jesus life. I would like you to join me in quickly walking through some of these events. Perhaps you can think of this as “walking with Jesus” on a very important journey. (1-Palm Branches) Please follow me over here and pick up a “palm branch,” pretending we are celebrating Jesus coming as a wonderful King! As they waved the palm branches they shouted out “Hosanna.” (save we pray) Let’s practice shouting that out. (Keep walking towards the next station). (2-Bread and Wine) A little while later Jesus planned to eat a special meal (the Passover) with his disciples. He met with them in a special upper room where they had some very special bread and wine. (Pick up the bread and wine – or get the children to hold it up) He shared that bread and wine with his disciples and he said that from now on they were to eat this simple meal remembering his body and blood. It was a way of remembering that Jesus loved us so much he was willing to give his life for us. (You could quickly sit down with the children in a circle) This bread and wine might look familiar to you because we still use this bread and wine at our communion service to remember Jesus and what he did for us.
    (3 –Towel and Wash Basin) (Pick up the towel and basin) After having this special meal with his disciples Jesus filled a basin with water and washed his disciple’s feet. It was a wonderful example of being a servant. As important as Jesus was he was able to serve others by washing their feet. (You could quickly knell down with the basic and towel as if you were washing one of the children’s feet.) He went on to say that we should show our love to one another by doing the same sort of thing to help others. (4 –The Cross) Let’s keep walking. Later that night Jesus went up on a hill to pray. (Prayer could be a special station) He prayed all through the night and then suddenly some soldiers came and took him away. After an unfair trail he was tortured on a cross where he died for our sins. (Walk the children to the cross) This cross reminds us of Jesus great love. He loved us so much he was willing to suffer and die for us. Let’s all knell down here near the cross. We’ll be very quiet as we think of what happened to Jesus on that Friday 2000 years ago.
    PRAY: Dear God. We are remembering some very important things in the life of Jesus this week. Help us to remember when the children and all the people praised Jesus with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna.” Help us to remember how he asked us to remember him in the Bread and the Wine. Help us to remember how he washed his disciple’s feet as an example to us of being a servant. Help us also to remember how he died for us on the cross – how he gave his live so that we might have life. In Jesus’ name. Amen
     

    Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett SundayChildrensFocus.com  - Please "Like"this if you found it helpful!

    PS - Very Simple idea: (If you use palm crosses) Have the children do a simple processional with palm branches. Sit the children down and then explain how the crowds started out praising Jesus with palm branches but soon after this he was put on a cruel cross. Take a palm reed and fold it into a simple cross. Let them know that this palm cross will remind them of the joyous coming of Christ as King, but also that on Good Friday he died for us on a cross.

  • Advent kids sermon Prepare the way

    Children' Sermon for Advent: Prepare the way of the Lord

     Advent3 John1  John the Baptist - Make straight paths    (Can also be used in Lent_
     
    Advent Sermon for kids: Before the children come down the isle to the front of the church place chairs, music stands, and other available paraphernalia in the isle so that it is difficult for them make their way up. Discuss with the children how this is unwelcoming. Explain how John the Baptist wanted to the people to “prepare the way” and “make straight paths” for the coming of Jesus. Discuss how we can prepare our hearts and clear out any clutter in our lives in order to be welcoming to Jesus Christ.
    (As part of the teaching you could ask the Children to “prepare the way” and make a straight path by removing the clutter in the isle.)
     
    Advent Object lesson props: Movable chairs, benches or music stands that can be quickly set up to block access down the church isle.
     
    Full Children’s Sermon: Good morning children! Wow. You were a little slower getting up to the front this Sunday. Why did it take you so long? (Let them respond.) I don’t know where all that stuff came from. It made it very difficult for you to get up here. It is certainly not very welcoming. Will you help me straighten out the path and move this stuff? When people come forward to read from the bible or for receiving communion, we want them to feel welcomed. Thank you very much. This morning our Advent bible reading is about John the Baptist. The bible says that he came to help people “Prepare the way” and “make straight paths” for the coming of Jesus. He wasn’t really talking about moving chairs and music stands out of the way. He wanted the people to know that they needed prepared the way in their hearts. He wanted the people to clear out selfishness, pride, and hatred so that their lives would be welcoming to Jesus. We want to do that too. As we look forward to Christmas we want our lives to be welcoming to Jesus. We can ask God to help us with this in prayer.
     
    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, please forgive us for the ways that we have cluttered up our lives with sin (Example: Just doing what we want to do and not showing love and kindness to others). Please forgive us and help us to live lives welcoming to your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

    Copyright 2011 Sundaychildrensfocus  Andrew Hewlett     PS Please "Like" this page, share a link or do whatever you can to support this site. Thank you!  

  • Children's fun lesson on coming to the light of Jesus Christ

    Children's lesson - Come to the Light of Jesus Christ

    John 3: 21 “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light…” Lent 4 

    Overview of the spontaneous drama: Ask the children if they have ever played “Hide and Seek”. Have the young children pretend to hide from God in a dark hidden place close by. (Do this up at the front of the Church or in your home. You could dim the lights to add to the effect.) Hold up a candle or other light and explain how this reminds us of Jesus who is the light of the world. Ask them to come out of hiding and walk towards the light (as you hold up the lit candle for all to see). Explain that the life and love of Jesus is like a light shining out into the world and that we need to come to that wonderful light.

    Full drama: Good morning children! Have you ever played a game called “hide and seek”? It really is a fun game where you do your best to hide from the leader. However, you might not know that some people actually try to hide from God! They might not be living the way that God wants so they think it’s best to try to hide from God. Do you think a person can hide from God? No. You are right. It’s impossible to hide from God. Now, just for fun, I want you to pretend to hide from God just up front here in our church. I’ll count to 10 to give you time to hide – just close by in this area. (If possible dim the lights a bit to make the light stand out.) Ok, I hope you can still hear me as you are pretending to hide from God. Now in a few seconds I am going to light a candle. This candle reminds us of Jesus Christ who is the light of the world. This light reminds us of his life and love that is shining out into a dark world. Now I am going to hold up the candle. I want you now to peek out from where you are hiding and look at the light. When you see that light I want you to now come out and walk to this light. That’s right, come out from your hiding place and come to the light. (When the children are all together close to you and the candle ask the congregation to give a cheer!)

    You did that very well children. (Ask them to be seated.) That little drama reminds us that we shouldn’t try to hide from God. We should come out from hiding and come to the light of Jesus Christ. His life and love is like a warm and bright light shining out into the world. We want to come close to the wonderful light and not try to hide from him. We can come close to the light of Jesus Christ by living the way he wants us to live. We can come close to Jesus by telling him (in prayer) that we want to follow him and know him more.

    Prayer: Dear God, thank you that Jesus is like a wonderful light shining out into the world. When we are tempted to hide from you, help us to remember your life and love is shining out to us like a guiding light. And help us to come near to you so we can know you better each day. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

    (Later at home you might want to discuss ways that we hide from God. You might also want to discuss ways that we can draw near to Jesus and welcome him in our lives and hearts.)

    Copyright 2018 Sundaychildrensfocus  Andrew Hewlett - Feel free to use this on Sunday morning but please give me credit and click on the facebook "Like" on the life side of the page.  Thank you! A.H.

     

  • Children's sermon - Under His wings

    Children’s Sermon: Under his wings: Like a hen gathers her chicks. 

     

    Luke 13:31-35O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem   (Season of Lent)   

     
    Children’s Sermon idea: Show a picture of a Hen and her chicks or bring in a stuffed animal toy. Explain how a hen gathers together her chicks to give warmth and protection. Explain how Jesus longs to gather us together under the “wings” of his love and protection. If a choir director or pastor wears a robe you could gather some children together under “wings” of their robe.
     
    Objects needed: A stuffed animal “hen,” a picture, or a digital projected slide.  or Make your wings out of cardboard to gather the children together!
     
    Children’s Sermon: Who knows what this is? Yes. It’s a little hen. Have any of you seen a hen in real live hen? If you go to the zoo or to the farm you’ll probably see one of these. In fact, often you will find a mother hen with lots of little chicks following along by her side. (It would be great if you could show a picture of this too.) If you watched a hen and her chicks you would probably notice how the little ones often get interested in other things and will start to wander away from her side. But if there is some danger nearby she will gather up her little ones right by her side and even pull them together under her wings to hide them and protect them.
    (Note: If you are a liturgical church and you wear a robe you could act this out by kneeling down and pulling part of your robe around some of the children.) In today’s bible reading from Luke 13, Jesus said to the people of Jerusalem that he longed to gather their children together as a chick gathers together her little chicks under her wings. Jesus didn’t have wings like a hen but he wanted them to come to him to be protected by his love and power. Unfortunately, most of the people in Jerusalem ran off in all directions away from his protection and love. They ended up in a lot of trouble and danger. The good news is that Jesus loves us and wants us to come to him and his wonderful love and protection. We want to do whatever we can to stay under the wings of his love and protection. We can do that by learning about Jesus, following him, staying close to him, and remembering the love that he has for each one of us.
     
    Children’s Prayer: Dear God. We thank you that Jesus loves us so much. Help us to stay under the “wings” of his loving protection just like young chicks are gathered together under a hens wings. In Jesus’ name – Amen!
     
    Copyright 2016 Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett    Feel free to use this lesson on Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider creating a link to this page or "LIKE" this page . Thank you. A.H.

  • Childrens Sermon - Repentance


    Repentance: Turning away from sin and turning to God

    Children’s sermon on Luke 3:7-18  Lectionary Advent 3

       Note: This story can be used as an introduction to a Sunday School lessonor a Sermon illustration for Children' Church

    Children’s sermon / object lesson on repentance: Show the children an empty glass representing our lives. Show the children a container of smarties or perhaps some delicious looking drink. This container represents the good things God has for us as his children. Pour the contents onto the glass that is turned upside down and watch it spill. Then turn the glass towards the container in order to be filled up. Repentance is about turning away from sin and turning to God. When we are turning to God we can receive all that he has for us.
     
    Object lesson items: a clear glass, a container of juice, smarties, or m & m’s, a catching tray to catch what spills over the upturned glass.
     
    Full Children’s Sermon: Good morning children. Our bible reading today is about John the Baptist.
    He prepared the way for Jesus by telling the people to repent. This morning I want to explain to you what repentance means. Repentance means a change of direction. It means turning away from what we know to be wrong and turning to God. I’ll show you what I mean. (Bring out the object lesson items.) Do you see this cup? We will pretend this is like our lives. Do you see this pitcher of cool aid? We’ll pretend this represents the good things God has for us. The glass might think, I’d really like some of that juice. So let’s pour out some of this refreshing cool aid. (Pour in onto the bottom of the up turned glass so that it all flows down the sides.) Hey. What’s wrong here? (Let the children respond) That’s right. All this refreshing juice that represents the good things of God just spilled out and none stayed in the glass. If we want to be filled with the good things of God we need to be turned to God. (Turn the glass right way up and pour in some juice.) There, that’s better. This glass that represents our life needs to be turned to God in order to catch all that he has for us. (Note: I repeat things to make sure they get the point.) Remember if we are turned away from God doing things we know are wrong we won’t be able to receive all that he has for us. Repentance means turning around (turn the cup around) and turning towards God– to welcome Him and his wonderful life.
     
    Children’s prayer: Dear God, when we are turned away from you help us to repent and turn towards you. That way we will welcome you in our lives and be open for receiving all that you have for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

    Copyright sundaychildrensfocus.com  Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but please give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider linking to this site. Blessings, A.H.

  • Childrens Sermon - The Cost of Following Jesus

     

    Children's Sermon: The Cost of Following Jesus    Luke 9:51-62

     For Sunday School or Chidren's church

    Children’s Sermon idea:
    Hold up various items and ask the children how much they think the item cost. Pull out your wallet and place the money on a chair or table. Hold up a cross as a sign of following Jesus. Ask the children how much money it costs to follow Jesus. Explain that following Jesus costs us everything; much more than money. Step on to the chairor table (where you’ve been laying down the money) and explain that following Jesus means giving our whole lives to Jesus. 
     
    Full Children’s sermon:
    Good morning children. Are you good a guessing how much things cost? How about this chocolate bar? How much do you think it costs? I’ll put down 50 cents here on the chair. Is that enough? No. How about if I add another 25 cents? That makes 75 cents and that’s about right I’d say it costs about that much. How about this ticket to a baseball game? How much do you think it costs? (Go through a similar routine as before placing money on the chair beside the ticket or whatever item you use.)
    (Hold up a cross or tape a picture of a cross onto the back of a chair) Now here is a tricky question. How much does it cost to follow Jesus? I’ll use this cross as a sign or symbol of following Jesus. Does it cost 5 dollars? (Place 5 dollars down on the chair) Does it cost 20 dollars? (|Add that to the money)
    Let’s just stop there. I want you to know that we can’t become a follower of Jesus by paying a bunch of money. We don’t have to pay money to follow Jesus. He paid everything for us already. However, Jesus said to follow him would cost us everything. (Stand up on the chair where you have been putting down the money) Jesus said we need to give our whole lives to Him. That’s why I’m standing here. I’m not just giving money; I’m giving my whole life. Some may think the cost is too high but Jesus loves us and wants us to discover his wonderful life. When we give our whole selves to Jesus we begin to discover his life, power and love. Following Jesus costs us everything but it is really worth it.
     
    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, help us to give our whole lives to you. We know that following Jesus will be hard sometimes but we also know that you will keep us in your love and will help to make our life a wonderful and exciting adventure.
     
    Copyright Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett Feel free to use this story in Sunday morning but please give credit to Sundaychidrensfocus.com and consider linking to this web site. Thank you A.H.

  • Christ the King Sunday

    Christ the King Sunday  - The Reign of Christ the King
       
    Jesus is a King        Lectionary: John 18: 33-37   
    Jesus our King   
     
    Children’s Sermon idea: Help the Children understand that Jesus is a King. Have 2 or 3 members of the congregation bring the hat that they wear on the job as part of a uniform. (Police hat, fireman’s hat, hard hat, etc.) Explain that although these individuals look like anyone else they have a special role to play signified by the hat they wear. Hold up a crown and explain that although Jesus looked like a normal human being he was actually a King. Also emphasize that as followers of Jesus we are children of the king.
     
    Object Lessonitems: (1) Some hats the children will recognize (brought by a few members of the congregation).  (2) A crown. This can be made from cardboard and covered with tinfoil.
     
    Full Children’s Sermon / Object Lesson:
    Good morning children. Do you see this hat? (Hold up a police officers hat) What person would wear a hat like this? That’s right, a police officer. Did you know we actually have a police officer who is part of our church family? It’s true. Mr Johnstone is a police officer. Would you please come forward Mr. Johnstone? You look like a pretty normal person, but we know that this is the hat you wear at work and that you are really a police officer. (Put the hat on their head). (Have them remain up front and hold up your next hat and go through a similar explanation. Then hold up the crown). Do you know what this is? Yes, it’s a crown. What sort of person would wear this? Yes, a King! Do we have a King of a foreign country here? No, I don’t think so. However, we are all followers of Jesus and he is a King. When Jesus walked upon the earth he looked like a normal human being, however he was really a King. Although we can’t see Jesus with our eyes we know that he is alive and that he is still a King. As followers of Jesus we are in his Kingdom. In fact we are “Kids of the Kingdom.” We always want to do our best to follow him and come under his Kingly rule. We also believe that he is with us this morning as we worship.
    (Thank your guests and then lead the children in prayer)
    Children’s Prayer: Thank you God for sending Jesus to be our saviour and our friend. Thank you also that he is a King. Help us always to follow him, honour him, and serve him in his Kingdom. Thank you God that we are “kids of the kingdom.” In Jesus Name, Amen

    Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett and SundayChildrensFocus.com  Feel free to use this on Sunday morning but please give credit to SundayChildrensFocus and consider linkng to this web site.  Thanks!  A.H.

  • John the Baptist

    Advent - John the Baptist          Lectionary: Luke 3:1-6

    Object lessonand children's Advent sermon: John the Baptist sounds the alarm – be prepared      Prepare the way
    john the baptist alarm warning

    Children’s sermon idea: Show the children a small battery operated smoke detector. (These are very common) Push the test button to catch their attention. Discuss the role of a smoke detector and then explain the role of John the Baptist. Wake up! It’s dangerous to be ill prepared for Jesus.
     
    As a Sunday School lesson: Demonstrate the smoke detector’s loud beep.
    -Discuss what sort of things John could do to warn the people that Jesus was coming.
    -Discuss the things the children might do if they knew Jesus was coming tomorrow.
    -Discuss what they can do now to get ready for welcoming Jesus at Christmas and being ready for his return at any time. (What does it mean to “repent” and “wake up.”?)
     
    Object lesson items: Small battery operated smoke detector. If you don’t have one a friend or neighbor will. They can usually be released by pressing up and turning a ¼ turn counterclockwise.
     
    Full Children’s Sermon for Advent:
    Good morning children. Today, in this season of Advent our bible reading is about John the Baptist. John the Baptist was a messenger sent to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. He knew Jesus was coming and that the people needed to get ready. This morning I brought something from home that is designed to wake us up and get us ready. (Hold up the smoke detector). Do you know what this is? It’s a smoke detector. It’s designed to make a loud beep if it detects smoke from a fire. That way, if a fire started in your house late at night it would beep loudly, wake you up, and then you could get to safety. Listen to the loud beep. (Push the center test button to sound the alarm. Or, you could hold a match underneath, blow it out, and let the smoke trigger the sound. You could ask them to pretend to be asleep before sounding the alarm. ) That really woke you up didn’t it!
    The smoke detector wakes us up and warns us that we’d better get ready and go to safety. John the Baptist was a bit like this smoke detector. A long time ago many of the people living in Israel were not thinking about being right with God. John the Baptist sounded the alarm, by saying “wake up,” “repent” and get ready for the Savior. This took place many years ago in Israel but John’s message is important for us today. If we are being asleep to God it’s important that we wake up. I think it is especially important at this time of year when we are getting ready for Christmas. At Christmas time it is especially important that we are living in such a way that our hearts are open to Jesus Christ. We certainly couldn’t have Christmas without Jesus Christ. Also, if we wake up to God and live lives pleasing to him we will be ready when Jesus returns.
     
    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for these smoke detectors that wake us up and warn us when there is a fire. Thank you for sending John the Baptist to prepare the way and wake people up in preparation for Jesus. We know that if we have our hearts right before you we will be ready to welcome Jesus this Christmas and we’ll also be ready to see him when he returns to earth again. In Jesus Name – Amen!

    Copyright sundaychildrensfocus.com   Andrew Hewlett 2008 Feel free to use this at your Church Service or Sunday school but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus and consider putting a link to this site. Blessings, A.H.  or "like" us on facebook










     

  • Kids Sermon on Pride- Take a look at yourself

     

    Children's Sermon on Spiritual Pride: Season of Lent

     

    Children's church- message for Lent


    Look at yourself –When you point at others there are three fingers pointing back at you.   
     
    Themes: sin, self awareness, self examination, repentance, finger pointing, pride, spiritual pride
     
    (The RCL scriptures for this day (Is 55:1-9, 1 Cor.10:1-13, Luke 13:1-9) seem to all contain warnings about out tendency to presume we are on a good footing because we are more righteous than others)
     
    Kid’s sermon idea: Explain to the children that some people love to point out the bad things that others are doing. Get the children to point with their index fingers. Examine your pointing hand and explain to them that when they point out other peoples mistakes there are always three fingers pointing back. We need to be honest with our own mistakes and failures before we point them out in others.
     
    Full Children’s sermon: Good morning children. I want to tell you something that I learned many years ago. I used to love to criticise others who were doing bad things. I would point my finger like this and say, “Look at that boy over there. He’s not being very kind.” Or I would say, “look at that person, he is being a bad person and he is making lots of mistakes.” But one day a friend of mine showed me something very interesting. (Hold out your pointing hand) She should me that whenever I a finger at another person I have other fingers pointing back at me. When I point like this, how many fingers are pointing back at me? Right! There are these three fingers pointing back at me. Try it yourself. That should be a good reminder that we need to look at our own lives. It’s more important to make sure we are living God’s way than spending too much time pointing our fingers at others. Remember, when you point your finger at another person there are three fingers pointing back at you!
     
    Children’s prayer: God, we know it is so easy to point fingers at other people when they do something wrong. Help us to remember that when we point at others there are three fingers pointing back at us. May that remind us to make sure we are living the way you want us to live. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

    Copyright sundaychildrensfocus.com  Andrew Hewlett   Feel free to use this story on Sunday morning but give credit to sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider putting link to this site. A.H.

  • Let the children come unto me

     

    “Let the children come unto me” A skit for the Children’s

    Sermon or Sunday school class   
    Jesus with children    
    Children’s Sunday school lesson on Humility:This children sermon is a bit more complicated than usual – but I do think it is effective. I did this lesson right in the church sanctuary as an interactive children’s sermon. It takes some set up so it would also lend itself well for a group Sunday school lesson (As a alternate simply use the "Kingdom fort" as an object lesson and demonstrate how we have to humble ourselves to enter.)
     
    Basic idea: Make a “Kingdom fort” out a card table and blanket. Arrange to have a big, rich “important” person ask to enter the fort. Explain that they have to humble themselves and get down on their knees to get inside. When they explain that this is beneath their dignity invite the children to easily come through the small entrance. Discuss Mark 10:15 “anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
     
    Props: Card table, blanket, (option: use a big piece of cardboard to make a small entrance)
                Dark sunglasses, cigar and hat for the “proud” person. (They will need a quick private briefing before the story starts.
     
    Full Story: Good Morning children. I’d like you to come over here this morning. This morning I have a special fort here. I call it the “Kingdom Fort.” Who wants to come inside? (Have your big important person come up from the congregation and interrupt you.) ”Excuse me; my name is Blade Steele – the millionaire movies star. I think it is only appropriate that I go first before these children./Hmm. Nice to meet you. However, not just anyone can come into this Kingdom fort, you see…/ But you don’t understand who I am, I’m Blade Steele the rich…/ But Mr. Steele the only way you can get inside is if you get down on your knees and crawl…/ Well, I could never do such a thing, however perhaps this money might make things easier (flash some bills)…/No, I’m sorry Mr. Steele… but you can certainly try.
    (Pull back the blanket revealing a very small entrance. Mr. Steele tries unsuccessfully to get in.)
    Hmmm. That’s too bad it doesn’t look like you can get in without kneeling down. Please stand back Mr. Steele. I think some of these children would like to come in. (Show the entrance to the young children. They easily enter the Kingdom fort.) Hey! All the children made it. Let’s give them a cheer. I’m glad you like the fort. You were all small enough to enter. I’d like you to come back out here for a moment because I have something important to say to you. Listen to this passage in the Bible. (Read Mark 10:13-16) The disciples didn’t think Jesus wanted to be with the young children but Jesus said they were wrong. He reached out and held the children and said that unless we were like a little child we could not enter the Kingdom of God. That is what our little play was about. Mr. Steele thought that he could get into the Kingdom fort because he was so important and had so much money. But he was so full of selfish pride that he wasn’t willing to get on his knees and make himself small. Jesus said we could only enter his Kingdom if we were willing to humble ourselves like little children.
     
    Children’s Prayer: Thank you God that you love us so much. Thank you that even though we might be very young and small you still welcome us into your family. May we always be willing to humble ourselves and make ourselves small to enter your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name – Amen!

  • Short, Interactive, Sermons for kids

    Children's Sermons - Free (Christian (Gospel) object Lessons for kids - Children's Church / Sunday School (or Homeschool) /Bible lessons etc. Season of Lent  (Planning to include asap short kids videos on YouTube) 

     

     

     

    - Object lesson for Easter Day -  orTry this Resurrection Easter skit -

     Text for this week Matthew 21:1-11    Palm Sunday - (Stay tuned: Planning to make short videos that I can send out to our children during this time of Covid-19) or Check out this for Palm Sunday and Holy Week - (Walking with Jesus - Palms, Bread and Wine, and the Cross.) -->

    -- (You'll notice I've made it more interactive so parents can be involved in the discussion. 

    : Lazarus - come out -wake up! - To Jesus bringing the dead back to life is just like waking someone up! Here is what I put together --

    John 9:1-41  I was blind but now I see - the man born blind. Spiritual blindness - and seeing Jesus (Lent 4) 

    John 4:5-42 The woman at the Well (Jesus gives the water of life!) 

     ( Good News!  - We will be restructuring this web site to get it more organized and user friendly for hand held devices - stay tuned!  God willing there will be new material posted up as well - Turning over a new leaf in 2020!)

     

     

     

    bethlehem

     

     

     

      tree 

     

     

     

    ==> Unrelated interlude - I believe my daughter has real gift for capturing the beauty of creation. Can't help boasting a bit. Check out Judith's instagram page!   (If you look closely I'm in there with Judith on my shoulders - few years ago)                                                     

    Creative Sunday school ideas 4 kids: FREE: Children's sermons / skits (note: Many of these sermons for kids could be adapted into great sermon illustrations for youth group / adults) Short children's sermons    

    (Please Note: Consider visiting the resources on the right side of the page. That's how I am able to provide this material free to you) and please "Like" a page if you find something helpful)- 

     

    Easter Devotions / Kids talk for Youth Group, Sunday school, or Children's Church  -                                                                                                    balloons

    Sunday School Teachers: Great ideas and illustrations for anyone involved in ministry to children.---

    --Christ Centered / Evangelical - focusing on the Gospel as "Good News." -

    Designed primarily for the short "Children's Focus" during Sunday Morning worship, these Children's sermons can be used in a variety of ways: An introduction to a Sunday School lesson, for Children's Church/Chapel, Youth Groupor Kids club, etc. I trust these Christian sermons for Children will be a great resource for Pastors and Sunday School teachers.  Blessings,  Pastor Andrew  -- Any feed back would be much appreciated!    pastorandrew(at) opengatechurch (dot) ca  

    Note: Stay tuned as I post stories on YouTube -Valuable to God- Gods Love - Secure in God's love- Repentance - 

    These Sermon's for Children are:

    • Biblical - Present good theology even if it's in a simplified form.
    • Fun  - Avoid the "O brother, here comes the boring message" reaction.
    • Interactive - That's how kids learn. It's best when they use all the senses. I try to involve the congregation too.
      Christ centered- Most of these stories are focused on Jesus and the love of God.
    • Short - Most children have a short attention span.  (Sunday school teachers know this well)

    Free Childrens Sermons 
    - In the near future I will be including ideas on:
    -- Sunday School Crafts
    -- Sunday School Gamesor Youth Group Games
    -- Other Sunday school ideas     ...stay tuned!
    -- Printable Bible quizzes for kids

  • Sunday School drama on the Rich Young Ruler

    Childrens Sermon on the Rich Young Ruler / Fool

        

     


       Mark 10:17-31  

     
    Childrens message idea:  Make a small “doorway to heaven” by putting a blanket over a card table or chair. Tell the children we are pretending this is the entrance to heaven or the wonderful life of Jesus. As you ask the children line up quickly to enter, have an individual race to the front of the line and try to enter carrying huge bags of money. Because the rich person won’t let go they can’t fit through. Let the children who are “last” enter in. Tell the children about the rich young man in Mark 10 and the truth that “many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
    (Instead of speaking of heaven you could also talk about entering the “Kingdom of God” or the “wonderful life of Jesus Christ”.)
     
    Object lesson items:  1. a pretend entrance to heaven / eternal life (Chair with blanket over it or opening cut out of a big piece of cardboard. I’m probably going to label the entrance “The wonderful life of Jesus Christ.” 2. Several large garbage “money bags” filled with paper. Note: An individual “rich man” will need to be prepped.
     
    Children’s Sermon: (Have the kids wait a bit until you call them forward.) Good morning children! In our bible reading this morning Jesus said that it’s very hard for rich people to be true followers of Jesus and to experience his wonderful everlasting life. I’m going to try to explain to you what I think Jesus meant.
    Do you see this small opening here? Let’s pretend this is a doorway to the wonderful life that Jesus has for his true followers. I would like you to now come forward and line up to enter in. (Have your “rich man” with his money bags immediately burst to the front past the children.) Wow! Sir, that was very fast. You made it right to the front of the line. (They could make some comments, “Well yes, I have all this money so it is only right that I should enter in first ahead of these young kids.”) Well, go ahead if you think you think all that money will help you enter in to the kingdom. (They can’t do it with all the bulky bags of money.) Hmm, I guess you will have to give away some of that money in order to fit through. Ans: “No I can’t possibly give any of my money away; it’s the most important thing in my life.” I’m sorry it looks like you just can’t fit through. I think you’d better step aside and see if any of these children can enter through this opening.
    (Let the children come through one by one as the rich man sadly looks on. Plead with him and offer him one more chance. He refuses to let go of his money.)
     
    Kids. If we are going to follow Jesus and know his wonderful eternal life, we have to make sure He is the most important thing in our life. Money is important but it won’t get us into heaven.
     

    Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for Jesus and his wonderful life. Help us to truly build our lives on Him and not something else.

    Copyright 2012 Sundaychildrensfocus.com  Andrew Hewlett  Feel free to use this on Sunday but please give credit to SundaychildrensFocus. Please consider linking to this site.   Thanks!  A.H.