Children's sermon idea: Let the children come unto me
Matthew 22: 1-14
Kids talk idea: Ask the children to use their imagination to pretend they invited their friends to a party and ask them how they would feel if everybody was busy. Play to them a series of (pre-recorded) excuses on a phone answering machine (with the standard “beep” after each excuse). Read out a paraphrase of the parable of the Wedding Banquet and explain how God would feel if we never had time for him. (You could flesh this out by saying in the end you might invite others you didn’t know quite as well.)
Prepare: Arrange to have 4 or 5 friends to phone in a short excuse to your home answering machine (Best to do this all at one time). You could have some fun with the excuses. Then record the series of answers on your cell phone or a voice recorder so that you can play it back to the children on Sunday morning. (Use well known people in the congregation and make sure the excuses are pretty pathetic!)
Full Children’s Sermon:
Good morning Children! How many of you have ever had a party and invited friends and family to come? (Allow time for response) Did you send out invitations or phone people to see if they could come? How would you feel if you were planning a really special party and when you invited them to come they all had an excuse why they couldn’t come! How would you feel? Would you be sad? Would you be angry? Now, I have something I would like you to listen to. Imagine I was planning on getting married and was going to have a big party to celebrate. Imagine I sent out messages to all my friends to come and celebrate at my party. Imagine how I would feel if I heard responses like this on my answering machine: (Play the fun responses you have recorded.)
How would you feel? (Interact with the children) That’s right, I would feel very sad and I might even feel mad!
In our bible reading this morning from Matthew chapter 22 Jesus tells a parable about how God wants us to come to Him and be a part of his wonderful family and Kingdom. Jesus tells us that this is like a wonderful party! (Read a simple paraphrase of the parable) Isn’t that sad. Jesus is telling us that God wants us to follow him and join him in a wonderful celebration but most people are too busy with other things! Children, I know you have many important things to do in life. However, I hope and pray that you always have time for God (the Father) and Jesus His Son! If we miss out on following God and being a friend of Jesus it would be like missing out on the best party of all!
Children’s Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that you love us and want us to be a part of your great family and family celebration. Help us to never be so busy that we put other things before you or your son, King Jesus. In Jesus’ name – Amen!
Copyright 2017 Sundaychildrensfocus Feel free to use this but please consider linking to this site and “Like us” on facebook. Blessings, A.H.
Basic idea: Engage the children in a simple activity that requires persistence (balancing something, throwing a ball into a basket, etc. Or, you could bring in an item that you created that took a lot of persistence). Paraphrase the story of the Canaanite woman, highlighting that she was persistent and refused to give up.
Object item: a knitted sweater, a piece of art work etc.
Good morning Children! Today, we're going to learn a wonderful story from the Bible about a woman who showed amazing faith and persistence. This story is from the book of Matthew, chapter 15, and it's about a Canaanite woman. She lived in a land far away from Jerusalem.
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a woman who had a daughter who was not well. This woman had heard about a special person named Jesus, who had the power to heal the sick. She believed that Jesus could help her daughter, so she went to find him.
When she finally found Jesus, she cried out to him, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." (or substitute “is terribly afflicted” if at this moment in time you don’t want to get into a discussion on demons)
At first, Jesus didn't answer her. But the woman didn't give up. She kept on pleading with him, even when his disciples asked Jesus to send her away. She knelt before Jesus and said, "Lord, help me!"
Jesus replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." The woman responded with amazing faith, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table."
Jesus was amazed by herr faith and persistence. He said, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And in that very moment, her daughter was healed.
What a beautiful story of faith and persistence! This woman didn't give up, even when thing seemed difficult. She kept believing that Jesus could help her daughter, and because of her strong faith, her daughter was healed.
Now, let's think about how we can apply this story to our own lives. Just like the Canaanite woman, we should never give up when we face challenges. We should believe that God is always with us and will help us, no matter what. Sometimes, we might face obstacles, but if we trust in God and keep asking for His help, amazing things can happen.
Children’s Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this example of the Canaanite woman who refused to give up. Thank you that Jesus was willing to help her even though she lived far away for Him. Help us always to have faith that God will help us with all our needs. In Jesus’ name – Amen!
Copyrite 2023 Feel free to use this on Sunday but please give credit to SundayChildrensFocus.com - and consider linking to this site! Thank you - A.H.
Children’s sermon idea: Have a volunteer come up, sit on a chair and pretend to be asleep (They can have some fun snoring, talking in their sleep etc.) Have the children try and wake them up. We can wake up sleeping people by speaking loudly or by touching them. Read the passage about the widow of Nain. When Jesus walked on this earth he was able to wake up the dead!
Objects needed: Chair or recliner
Full interactive kid’s story: Good morning children! Do you find it easy to wake up in the morning? Who makes sure you wake up? How do they wake you up? Let’s look at some of the ways to wake people up. I’ve asked Mr. Jones to come up and pretend he is sleeping the way he normally sleeps. So, Mr. Jones, please just sit here, relax and show us how you sleep. (Give some time for him to doze off, snore, etc.) Wow kids! Do you make noises like that when you sleep?! Let’s see how easy it is to wake him up. Betty, try whispering in his ear. No, that didn’t wake him up. Mike, try saying “wake up” loudly. Hmmm. Let’s give him a shake. (Mr. Jones wakes up – give him a cheer and thank him for helping out.)
Well, he was certainly sound asleep. It was a little hard but we were able to wake him up. It’s usually easy to wake people up. But we can still awaken people who are sound asleep. Now, listen carefully because I’m going to tell you something truly amazing. When Jesus walked on this earth he could wake up people who were sleeping but he could also wake up people who had died! It’s almost impossible for us to do something like that. But Jesus was God’s son. He could do amazing things. He could even bring dead people back to life! Listen to this account in the Gospel of Luke. (Read the story of the Widow of Nain) Jesus just said “get up” to the widows son and he got up. To Jesus, bringing someone back to life was as easy as waking up a sleeping person.
Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. Thank you for the great love he has for each of us. Thank you that he even has the power to bring dead people back to life! In Jesus’ name – Amen!
Copyright 2016 SundayChildrensFocus Feel free to use this on Sunday Morning but please give credit to SundayChildrensfocus.com and consider linking to this web site. Thank you! A.H.
- 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!)
==> 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 -
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:
- 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
Kids sermon idea: Highlight the fact that Jesus cares about us. He wants to spend time with us. Have a volunteer child stand in front of the children. Then ask them to hold some “important” items. (Some toys, some car keys, food, a cell phone etc.) Ask the children to look at the person, and all the items, and ask them what they think is the most important thing. Have some fun. They will probably each suggest what they think is important. Then point out the person holding the items is really what it most important! Use this as a lead in to explain the story of Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha. Mary chose what was most important – spending time of Jesus!
Object lesson props: Various random objects that a child can easily hold.
(Note: Be careful not to teach this in such a way that the ministry of serving is downplayed. You will also want to discuss in practical terms what it means to spend time with Jesus
Children’s focus full story: Good morning, Children! For my message this morning I need a volunteer. Thank you, Carol. Please stand-up front here so we can all see you. Now, I have a bag of some important items that I am going to get her to hold. Let’s see what I have. Here is a toy. That’s important. Would you please hold this item? Here is another item. It is a cell phone. That’s important. Please hold this item too. (Keep loading them up with various items.) Now, here is what I want you to think about. What is the most important thing here? I think these things are all important, but I want you to tell me what do you think is most important? (Listen to the children explain what item they think is most important.) Those are all good suggestions. However, what I think is most important is not these things; the most important thing is not a thing! It is a person, Carol! I know this was a bit of a trick question. But the point I want to make is that Carol is more important than all these things.
This reminds me of a story in the 10th chapter of the gospel of Luke where Jesus is visiting Mary and Martha. Mary spent time being with Jesus. But her sister Martha was very upset that she had to all kinds of work to do. When she complained to Jesus, he said that Mary was doing what was most important of all – spending time with Jesus.
Children, we want to do all sorts of things for Jesus (Give some example) However we don’t want to forget that Jesus wants to spend time with us. He loves us and doesn’t want us to be so busy we forget to enjoy his love. (This is a challenging concept so you may need to give examples of what it means to be like Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet) I want to encourage you children to spend time with Jesus in prayer, in reading what he says in the Bible, in just being quiet, sensing his love. (You might explain that although Jesus promises to be with us always, we get so distracted and can forget that his loving presence is with us. Emphasize both sides of the equation. Jesus loves us and wants to spend time with us. Also, we desperately need to spend time with him.)
Children’s Prayer: (Before starting your prayer consider taking a few seconds for the children to be silent and think of Jesus and the amazing love he has them.) “Dear God, thank you that you love us so much that you (and your son Jesus) want to spend time with us. In the busyness of the day, help us to find time to slow down and remember that you are with us and that you love us with an everlasting love. In Jesus’ name – Amen!”
Copyright 2022 Sundaychildrensfocus.com Feel free to use this but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider “Liking” or linking to this page. Thank you! A.H.
Object lesson items: A Crown (Perhaps one cut out of coloured paper)
Good morning Children! Today, we're going to talk about someone very special who not only understood the rules but actually made the rules. Can you guess who that is? (Wait for responses)
That's right, it's Jesus! And we're going to learn about howw Jesus taught with authority, just like a king who not only knows the rules but also created them.
Now, I have something special to show you today. (Hold up a crown) Look at this beautiful crown! What does a crown usually tell us about a person? (Wait for responses)
Yes, a crown is a symbol of royalty – perhaps a king or a queen. In our case, Jesus is the King of Kings! And just like a king, He has authority. He makes the rules that help us to live.
Imagine you are playing a game, and there are rules to follow. Who would you want to be the leader, the one who knows all the rules and can make fair decisions? (Wait for responses)
That’s right! You'd want someone like a king because a king not only understands the rules, he's the one who made them. Now, let's connect this to Jesus.
When Jesus was on Earth, people were amazed because He didn't just talk about rules; He taught with real authority. It's like He was saying, "I'm not just a rule-follower; I'm the One who made the rules!" And these are not bad rules – they are rules to help us live safe and happy lives.
In the Bible, there's a story where Jesus was teaching, and people were astonished. They said, "He teaches with authority, not like the teachers of the law!" (You can refer to Mark 1 or to Matthew 7:28-29)
So, let's think about our crown again. Imagine Jesus wearing this crown, not just as a decoration, but as a symbol of His authority. He is the King who knows and made all the rules, and when He teaches us, we can be sure it's the best way to live.
(Extra option if you are in a Sunday School class) Now, I have a fun activity for you. I'm going to give each of you a paper crown, and I want you to write or draw something that Jesus teaches us. It could be a rule or something special you've learned from Him. (You might need to help the children with this) You can even wear your crown proudly as a reminder that Jesus is the King of our hearts and our lives.
Let's remember that when Jesus speaks, it's not just good advice; it's the best way to live because He's the King who made the rules with love and wisdom.
Children’s Prayer: Dear God, thank you that Jesus is the King of all Kings. Thank you that He has the loving authority and power to teach us and lead us in the best way to live. – In Jesus’ name – Amen!
Short video on the fact that we are precious to God
Highlights the fact that we are valuable to him - no matter who we are.
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