children, Faith shepherd love Grace Prayer
-
Sermon for Kids about the Earthquake in Nepal
Children's Sermon about the Earthquake in Nepal
Showing the compassion of Jesus
Object lesson idea:(Overview -Adapted from a story I used when there was an earthquake in Haiti)
Display two βhousesβ made of small blocks of wood or perhaps marshmallows. Have one house represent a typical house in Canada or United States. This βhouseβ could be glued together if made by wood and if made with marshmallows it could be sewed together or held together with nails or toothpicks. The other βhouseβ would look the same but have nothing binding the blocks together. Shake the structure like an earthquake and let the children observe what happens. Explain how poor countries like Nepal canβt afford to build houses with expensive reinforcing and other safety features. Pray for the people of Nepal and involve the children in some relief or development project.Objects: Two small houses made with building blocks or marshmallows (see above). Reinforce one of the structures with tape, thread, toothpicks etc. (You could also drive reinforcing nail up through the piece of plywood and place marshmallows over the nails. Place the βhousesβ on a tray ready for an βearthquake.β A small world map or globe.Full Childrenβs Sermon: Good morning Children. In our church this morning we are praying for the people who live in a country called Nepal. It is a small country and most of the people who live there are very poor. Itβs this small country here on this map. (Use a globe or projected map) Do you know what happened there recently? Yes. Thatβs right. There was a very big earthquake that destroyed many buildings and homes. It may be hard to understand how this happened. I want to show you one reason so many people were hurt or killed. Do you see this tray here? I made two little houses out of marshmallows. Iβm pretending the marshmallows are like building blocks of cements. This house on the left will represent a typical house in the Canada / USA/ etc. Iβm pretending that this house on the left is a house in Kathmandu, the main city of Nepal.Letβs see what might happen if there was an earthquake. (Shake the try up a down, back and forth until the unsecured βbuilding blocksβ of the Nepal house fall down.) What happened here? Yes, this house that has a steel nail through the centre is standing strong. However, this house here fell completely down. This building was not nearly as strong as this building. This building is like many of the buildings in Kathmandu. The people are strong and hard working but they are very poor and they cannot afford to build houses as strong as our houses. When an earthquake shakes the country many of the houses fall down and many people are injured our killed. Itβs very sad. As followers of Jesus we need to think of ways that we can help the people in Nepal as they try to recover from this tragedy. How could we possibly help out and support them in this time of need? (Let the children respond.) Those are all very good ideas. We can send doctors to help, we can send food and clothing, and we can send money so they can buy the things they donβt have. Later on we might be able to be involved in helping them rebuild some to the homes that have been destroyed. (Consider presenting a specific project that the church is involved with.Childrenβs Prayer: Dear God. We know that there are many people who need help in the country of Nepal. Please send many doctors and other helpers to support the people. And show us what we can do to put the love of Jesus into action and help these people in need. In Jesusβ name β Amen!
-
Sermon for kids on Running the Race set before us
Childrenβs Sermon: Run the Race set before us Hebrews 11 and 12
βLet us set aside the weight of sin and run the race set before usβ
Childrenβs sermon idea: Have someone come in dressed up like a jogger / runner. However, they are also carrying a heavy back pack, a suitcase, a bag around the neck, etc. Have a fun interview with the runner and help them realize that they need to βset asideβ the things that are weighing them down. Explain to the young people that carrying around sins (explain this a bit) will weigh us down in the Christian race. (We want to live our lives Godβs way but when we do sin, and do wrong things, we can repent, ask forgiveness and βset asideβ our sins so we can run in freedom.)
Objects / People needed: Someone willing to dress up like a jogger. A backpack, suitcase and impractical items to carry around. (Have some fun with this: some old rotten thing, something representing past sins, etc) Option: label the various items with signs: unforgiveness, selfishness, greed, etc.
Full Childrenβs lesson: Good morning children! Look who is coming up front here. Itβs Mr. Johnston. What does it look like he is doing? Thatβs right, by looking at his running shoes and shorts it sure seems like he is going on a race. Letβs ask him. Mr. Johnston, what are you doing today? (Have some fun with this). But why are you carrying these heavy loads? Isnβt it hard carrying those heavy things and trying to run at the same time? Why donβt you just put them down and let them go? (You could prime your runner with various responses such as, βThatβs just part of who I amβ or βIβm used to carrying these around everywhereβ etc.) Ask the children if this makes sense. What do they think he should do if he wants to do well in the race? Your volunteer runner could put down the weights and then exclaim how much better it feels.
Debrief with the children: Wow, Iβm sure glad Mr. Johnstone got rid of all that weight. Otherwise I think he would get tired and frustrated. I donβt even think he would be able to finish the race.
The Bible says in Hebrews 12 verse 1 that if we are going do well in our Christian lives (win the race) we need to get rid of all those bad things that weigh us down. Whenever we sin (do what we know God doesnβt want us to do) then itβs like we are carrying a heavy weight that slows us down. So letβs try to do what God wants us to do so that we are not carrying around a heavy weight of sin. Of course, the good news is that when we ask forgiveness for the things weβve done wrong, God forgives us takes away that heavy weight.
Childrenβs Prayer: Dear God, help us to put off all those sinful things in life that just weigh us down and slow us down. Thank you that through Jesus we can be forgiven and we can walk (and run) right beside you every day of our lives. In Jesusβ name β Amen!
Copyright 2016 Sundaychildrensfocus - Andrew Hewlett Feel free to use this on Sunday. If you post it on the web please give credit to Sunday Childrens Focus and consider linking to this web site. Thank you! - A.H.
-
Sermon for kids Widow of Nain
Widow of Nain Luke7 - Waking up the dead -
Childrenβs 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 kidβs 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? Letβs look at some of the ways to wake people up. Iβve 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?! Letβs see how easy it is to wake him up. Betty, try whispering in his ear. No, that didnβt wake him up. Mike, try saying βwake upβ loudly. Hmmm. Letβs give him a shake. (Mr. Jones wakes up β 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. Itβs usually easy to wake people up. But we can still awaken people who are sound asleep. Now, listen carefully because Iβm 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! Itβs almost impossible for us to do something like that. But Jesus was Godβs 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 βget upβ to the widows son and he got up. To Jesus, bringing someone back to life was as easy as waking up a sleeping person.
Childrenβs 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 Jesusβ name β 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.
-
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!)
==> 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) caNote: 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)
- 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 -
Syrophoenician Woman
Short kids sermon - The Faith of Syrophoenician woman: What does a Christian look like? Mark 7:24ff Trinity 13
Childrenβs sermon idea: Who can be a true believer in Jesus? We might be surprised where Jesus would find faith. Show children various pictures of people (obviously different races / color) and ask them to guess who the Christian is. They may be surprised to find out that the black man from Ethiopia / Iran (or where ever) is the person with faith in Jesus. -- Iβve got a picture from Time magazine of an Iranian Christian that I will use.Objects Lessonprops: Pictures of various people (different races and nationalities)On the back of the pictures put a blank piece of paper. Mark the one least expected foreigner with a big cross to symbolize they are a ChristianChildrenβs sermon on prejudice and faith:Good Morning Children. This morning I have some βpeopleβ pictures that I would like to show you. (Hold up the various pictures so the children can see them clearly.) Look at this person here. Where do you think they come from? Do they look rich or poor? Etc.Look at these other pictures here.Which person might come from Japan?Which person do you think is the youngest?Which of these people lives in the desert in Africa?Who do you think looks the wealthiest?Now here is a harder question. Which of these people looks like a believer in Jesus?(Let the children respond. Iβm guessing that most children in Canada and the United States will pick the white / Caucasian as the Christian.)Those are some good guesses. Most people would pick this person. Itβs probably because many of our friends who are Christians have white skin like most of us do. (You could take a vote on which is the picture of the Christian)On the back of the person who is the Christian Iβve put a big cross.Is it this one? (Turn over the picture) β No.Is it this one? (Turn over the picture) β No.(Continue on until you hold up the picture of foreigner)Is it this one? (Turn over the picture) β Yes!
Most of you didnβt pick this person from Iran as the believer in Jesus. It surprised me too. When I first saw this picture I was surprised to find out they were a Christian. This man from Iran was ever willing to go to jail for his trust in Jesus.Main point: We might be very surprised at who has faith in Jesus Christ. We certainly canβt tell by the color of peopleβs skin or where they come from. In todayβs bible reading Jesus met a woman who was considered by others to be an outsider who couldnβt possibly be drawn to God. But it turned out that she had great faith in Jesus. In response to her faith Jesus heard her prayer and healed her daughter.Pray: Lord God, Thank you for the many different people all around the world who are followers of your son Jesus. These believers are our brothers and sisters in Godβs family.Help us to fully trust in you like this Christian from Iran, and like this foreign women that Jesus met. β We ask this in Jesusβ name β Amen!
Copyright 2009 Andrew Hewlett SundayChildrensFocus.com Feel free to use this story on Sunday Morning but please give credit to SundayChildrensFocus.com and do consider linking to this site. Thank you. A.H. -
Ten Lepers
kids ministry bible talk - Thanksgiving: The story of the Ten Lepers
β Luke 17:11-19Childrenβs Story idea: Discuss with the children the importance of saying thank you. With a helper demonstrate various ways we do that; giving pat on the back, shaking a hand, giving a hug, and giving a thank you card. Explain that it is important to give thanks to God. (Give a short paraphrased account of the ten lepers mentioned in Lukeβs gospel.) Suggest that the easiest way to give thanks to God is to simple say βThank youβ in prayer.Object lesson items: Have another person help you so you can demonstration the ways of saying βthank you.β Bring a thank you card.Full Childrenβs Story / Sunday School lesson starter:Good morning children! Do you know what special time of year it is? Thatβs right. Itβs thanksgiving. Although we always want to give thanks to God this is a special time of remembering all the wonderful things God has provided for us. (You could ask the children to suggest things they are thankful for.) There are many ways we give thanks to other people. Jonathan, please come up front with me. If I was very thankful to Jonathan I could give him a slap or pat on the back. (Give a demonstration as you say thank you.) You could say thank you and give a big hug (Demonstrate). You could shake their hand and say thank you (Demonstrate). Or, you could give then a card or a little gift as a way of saying thank you. (Demonstrate). But how do we give thanks to God? (Let the children suggest some creative ways of giving thanks.) Those are some wonderful ideas. Iβll tell you what I think is the easiest say to give thanks to God. I think the easiest way is simply to say βThank you God.β We canβt actually shake Godβs hand or send him a card. However, we know God hears our prayers so we can always say βthank youβ in prayer. In the Bible the gospel of Luke tells us that one day Jesus healed 10 lepers (people who were very sick). He did a wonderful miracle and healed them all. But do you know how many came back and said thank you to Jesus? (Let them guess.) Thatβs right, there was only one!You would have thought the other nine would have at least said βthank youβ to Jesus.Boy and girls, God has provided so many things for us in life. We have friends, family, food to eat, houses to live and a wonderful country to live in. We have so much to be thankful for. Letβs take the time right now to thank God for all that we have.Childrenβs Prayer: Dear God, we have so many good things in our life. Thank you for food, friends, our families, sunshine, flowers, and good things like chocolate cookies. But most of all, thank you for your Son Jesus. He loves us so much and has done so much for us. In Jesusβ name β Amen!
-
They'll know we are Christians by our love
Talk for Sunday School: By this shall all know you are my disciples
Childrenβs sermon: John 13:31-35 The commandment to love one another
Childrenβs sermon idea: (Have on hand items of clothing, hats or badges that represent various occupations and people.) Discuss with the children how they can recognize various people by what they wear. Discuss how we might recognize a group of Christians. Jesus said βBy this shall all know that you are my disciples.β Itβs our love for one another that should show that we are Christians.Object lesson items: Clothing items worn by various people / professions. You might need to borrow some clothing items from members of your congregation.Childrenβs sermon: Good morning children. In this box I have various garments that people wear. (Bring out a hard hat.) What person might wear a hat like this? Thatβs right. If you saw someone wearing this they might be a workman or a carpenter. (Hold up a firemanβs coat and hat.) What kind of person would wear this clothing? Right β a firefighter. (Continue with some more items of clothing that are easily identifiable.) You did very well. I have one more question. How can you recognize that someone is a Christian? If you saw a group of people how would you know they were Christians?Thatβs right. Christians wear different kinds of clothing. Itβs not that easy to tell right away. However, in our bible reading today from the gospel of John, Jesus said that there was one thing that would let others know we are Christians. Jesus said that if we had love for one another other people in the world would be able to tell that we are Christians. Others canβt tell that we follow Jesus by looking at what we wear. However, they should be able to tell that we follow Jesus by how we love each other. Jesus said, βby this shall all know you are my disciples, if you love one another.β Letβs pray and ask God to help us love each other so that other would recognize us as Christians and want to know about Jesus and his love.Childrenβs Prayer: Dear God, please give us power through the Holy Spirit to grow in our love for each other. In that way others might be able to see that we follow Jesus and that they too might decide to follow him and know his wonderful love. In Jesusβ name β Amen.
Copyright 2010 Sundaychildrensfocus.com Andrew Hewlett Feel free to use this story but please give credit to Sundaychildrensfocus.com and consider making a link to this site. Thank you A.H. -
Trusting God to lead us
Childrenβs Sermon on Faith and Trust Lectionary Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
βAbraham obeyed God and went, even though he did not know where he was goingβ
Quick overview: Have one of the children volunteer and have then put a blind fold over their eyes. Tell them you are going to take them on a short journey (around the church sanctuary) but they wonβt be able to see where they are going. Explain that because you are a friend and can be trusted, they wonβt get lost. Debrief with the children by explaining that we can trust that God will lead us if we seek to follow Him. We wonβt always know where we are going but God loves us and will be our sure guide through the journey of life.
Objects needed: a blind fold or tea towel to cover a childβs eyes
Childrenβs Sermon: Good morning kids! One of our bible readings today is about Abraham following God, even though he didnβt know exactly where he was going. Many years ago in the land of the Bible God called a man named Abraham to go to a land far away. God sent him off on a journey without a map or a GPS. Abraham didnβt know exactly where he was going but God promised that he would guide him to a very special land and through him create a great nation. It would have been pretty scary not knowing where he would end up making his home. But Abraham knew it would all work out because God promised to be with him and to guide him to just the right place.
Perhaps I will show you what it was like for Abraham to head off trusting God. I need a volunteer to help me. Yes Janet, come up here and Iβm going to put this blind fold over your eyes so you canβt see. Now, Iβm going to quickly lead you by the hand around the inside of this church. The rest of you children can follow along for fun. (Lead the blindfolded individual down the aisle, around the back of the church to various places and come back up to another area up near the front. If you have a traveling mic you can ask them various questions: What are you feeling? Is this scary? Is this fun? etc.) When you get back to the front of the church explain that this little trip was like Abraham heading off to an unknown land.) Well done! Thank you for helping Janet! Many years ago Abrahams adventure was a bit scary but he trusted (had faith) that God would watch over him and lead him. What is wonderful about this bible story is that the same God who was with Abraham promises to lead us in our lives if we trust and obey him. In life we donβt always know where we are going, and sometimes life just doesnβt make sense! However, if we seek to live the way God wants us to live he will bring us to just the right place where he wants us to be. We will also discover that life is a wonderful adventure when we follow God and his Son Jesus Christ. Jesus promised that he would never leave us so we know we can always trust (have faith) that he will be there as our guide and friend.
Childrenβs prayer: Dear God, thank you that you and your Son Jesus promise to be with us always. Help us, through the power of your Holy Spirit to follow you and obey you wherever you lead us. Thank you that you have a wonderful adventure in store for us. In Jesusβ name β Amen!
Copyright 2016 SundayChildrensFocus.com Feel free to use this on Sunday Morning but please give credit to Sunday Children's Focus and consider linking to this web site. Thank you! A.H.
-
Valentines Day & Cross
Children's Sermon for Valentines Day
Childrenβs Sermon idea: When we give a valentine it reminds the person of our love for them. We have a crossin our church and that reminds us of Godβs love for us.Objects: A valentine heart, a large visible cross in the church that you can point to and/ or a small cross you can hold up.Children Sermon: Good morning children. Do you know what special day it is? Here is a hint. (Hold up your valentine heart.) Thatβs correct. Itβs Saint Valentines day. Saint Valentine was a Christian bishop who lived a very long time ago. He was well known throughout his country for the great love that he had for people in need. When we think of St. Valentineand Valentines day we are reminded about love. When we give a Valentines day heartto someone it reminds them of our friendship and love that we have for them. God doesnβt send out Valentines cards to people but did you know that there is something that always reminds us of Godβs great love for us? If you look around you can see that reminder right here in this church. Do you know what it is? Look right over there. Itβs the cross. The cross is a symbol / reminder that Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to suffer and die for us. Where ever we see a cross it should be a reminder that Jesus loves us so very much. He suffered and died on the cross which might make us sad. However, the good news is that he rose again and he is alive. If you are ever tempted to doubt how much God the Father and Jesus love you, look at a cross. It reminds us that we are deeply loved and very precious to God.
Childrenβs Prayer: Heavenly Father. We pray that when we give Valentine cards to our family and friends they would know that we really do care about them and love them. We also thank you so much for sending Jesus to save us. We know that he loved us so much he was willing to suffer and die for us. That is amazing. Whenever we see a cross help us to remember your great love.Amen! -
We are precious to God
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.
Page 3 of 3