Category Archives: Children’s Sermon

Children’s sermons are short talks for the children and their parents that touch on a scripture idea using some object, picture, story or even a prize.

Children's Sermon, Object Lessons

Drops of Influence

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Our words can be words of life or words of destruction. This object Lesson for youth reminds us that the words we say have influence beyond just the moment. Also make a great Children’s sermon.

Materials

  • Two clear glasses as nearly alike as possible
  • A Bottle of red and a bottle of black food coloring

Preparation

  • The bottles of food coloring should be covered with white paper
  • On one print the words, “Good Influence”
  • On the other print the words, “Bad Influence”
  • Paste the label “Good Influence” on the bottle with red food coloring
  • Paste the label “Bad Influence” on the bottle with the black food coloring

What to Do

  1. Place the glasses in the center of the room or where the youth can clearly see them.
  2. Fill the glasses nearly full of water.
  3. Have the youth define “influence”
  4. Share the idea that every one has an influence for either good or bad; that we must guard ourselves every moment, for some thoughtless word or act might spoil another’s life.
  5. Share some personal examples of influence you have had for bad and good.
  6. Ask the youth to share some things that could be considered a good influence.
  7. Ask the youth to share some things that could be considered bad influence.
  8. Ask the youth to share some things they have personally done or said that influenced someone else.
  9. Ask “How much influence it takes to make a difference?”
  10. Put one drop of black ink into one of the glasses. The youth will notice with remarkable interest how quickly the color spreads’ and the pure water in the dish is spoiled.
  11. Emphasize how one drop will spread till it spoils the whole and how one little bad act may spread in the heart of another till a whole life is spoiled.
  12. Ask one of the youth to take that drop out of the water; they will tell you it cannot be done. And so with our influence, it cannot be undone.
  13. Put a drop of the red ink in the other glass and the bright color will grow and spread in the same way, and liken this to good influence.

Take it to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual

We can be a positive influence as Christians

  • Youth can be a positive influence on other believers (1 Timothy 4:12)
  • Believers can be a positive influence on youth (Titus 2:6-8)
  • A godly person can be a positive influence an a spouse (1 Peter 3:1-7)
  • A Christian can be a positive influence upon the ungodly (1 Peter 2:11-12, 1 Pet 3:1-2; 2:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10)
  • A Christian can be a positive influence through encouragement (2 Corinthians 9:1-2; Hebrew 10:24-25)

We can be a negative influence as Christians

  • Our sin can negatively influence other Christians to also sin (Galations 2:11-13)
  • Our sin can negatively influence unbelievers to reject God (Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:5)
  • False teaching can lead others to error (Galatians 5:7-9; 2 Timothy 2:14)
  • Other verses: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; 8:10-13; 2 Timothy 2:16-18

Youth can be a positive influence by sharing the gospel with others (Romans 1:16; Colossians 1:3-6)

  • The gospel has the power to change the mind (Ephesians 4:20-23)
  • The gospel has the power to change our conduct (Ephesians 4:24; 5:8-10)
  • The gospel has the power to change spiritual condition – death to life (2 Timothy 1:10)
  • The gospel has the power to turn darkness into light (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Make it Personal

  • What difficulties do we face in trying to be a positive, Christ-like examples to others? In the home? Church? Workplace? Community, with non Christian friends?
  • If you were the only Christian someone knew, what picture of a Christian would they have? How would they define a Christian? What would they believe about Christians? What would they expect Christians to do and say?
  • How does the answer to these questions above differ from the Biblical idea of what a Christian is supposed to be?

Make it Practical

  • Are there parts of your life that you would not want others to imitate? explain?
  • What will you do to change? Who will you ask to help you?
  • How can you get started this week to be a more positive influence for Christ?

Close by brainstorming ways that youth can be a positive influence this week on their families, friends, and others.

Additional Scriptures

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
– 1 Timothy 4:12

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?”
– 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:13-16

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

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Children's Sermon, Object Lessons, Teaching Illustrations

Heaven’s Mail Room

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An Illustration of Prayer

The angel Gabriel was giving a newly arrived Christian a tour of heaven.  The two of them were walking side by side inside a large mailroom filled with other angels.

Gabriel stopped in front of the first section and said, “This is the Receiving Section.  Here, all the petitions sent to God in prayer are received.”
The Christian saw that the section was a very busy one with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous sheets of paper from all the people of the world.
They resumed walking until they reached the second section.  Gabriel told the Christian, “This is the Packaging and Delivery Section.  Here, the blessings of God in answer to prayers are packed and delivered to the those who are praying on earth.”
The Christian saw how busy it was.  There were a great many angels working in that room because countless blessings were being packed and delivered to earth.
Finally, at the farthest corner of the room, they stopped at the last section.  To the surprise of the Christian, only one angel was there and he was idle.
“This is the Acknowledging Section,” Gabriel told the Christian.
“How is it that no work is being done here?”
“That’s the sad thing,” Gabriel answered.
“After people on earth received the blessings they asked for, very few of them bother to send their acknowledgments.”
“How does one acknowledge God’s blessing?” 
“Simple,” Gabriel answered.  “Just say, ‘Thank you, Lord.'”

Variation – An object Lesson or Children’s Sermon on Prayer

This could easily be converted into a sermon for kids, or an object lesson for youth on “answered prayer.”   Collect a bunch of postcards and write prayers to God on them. “Dear God…  A Prayer… then sign it with a name.  Then in another box have deliveries that match the different requests.  (Note some of the deliveries might be different than the actual request because God provides what we truly need and not what we think we need.)  Finally, have an empty box for the messages of Thanks.  To create a more balanced perspective on prayer, have messages of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (A.C.T.S.) Adoration is simply praise to God for who he is.  Confession is an acknowledgement of sin. Thanksgiving is of course a response to answered prayer and for the blessing of God in life.  Supplications are requests.  Many times we only see prayer as requests. The simplest definition of prayer is “Talking to God” so have lots of messages that are simply conversations with God.  Have only one or two of thanks.  Close by giving the children or youth postcards and asking them to write notes of thanks to God and fill up the last box.

Scriptures for For Famous prayers in the Bible

  • Abraham, for Sodom – Genesis 18:16-33
  • Daniel – Daniel 9:1-19
  • David – 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 17:16-27
  • David’s Confession – Psalms 51:1-17
  • David’s Thanks – 2 Samuel 7:18-29
  • Deborah – Judges 5:1-31
  • Elijah’s at Mount Carmel – I Kings 18:36-39
  • Ezra – Ezra 9:5-15
  • Habakkuk – Habakkuk 3:2-19
  • Hannah – 1 Samuel 1:9-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10
  • Hezekiah – 2 Kings 19:14-20:3
  • Hezekiah when Sick – Isaiah 38:2-8
  • Hosea – Hosea 6:1-3
  • Jabez – 1 Chronicles 4:10
  • Jacob – Genesis 32:22-32
  • Jehoshophat – 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
  • Jeremiah – Lamentations 3: 21-26
  • Jesus – Matthew 6:5-15: Luke 11:1-13; John 17
  • Job – Job 1:20-21; 3; 42:2-6
  • Jonah – Jonah 2:1-9
  • Jude’s Praise – Jude 1:24-25
  • Moses – Exodus 15:1-18;  33: 12-23; Numbers 14:13-19
  • Nehemiah – Nehemiah 1:4-10
  • Paul – Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11; Collosians 1:9-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, 2:13-17
  • Paul, Knowing God’s Will – Colossians 1:9-12
  • Paul, Partners in Ministry – Philippians 1:3-11
  • Paul, Spiritual Growth – Ephesians 3:14-21
  • Paul, Spiritual Wisdom – Ephesians 1:15-23
  • Solomon, dedication – 1 Kings 3:5-15; 8:14-61
  • Stephen at His Stoning – Acts 7:59-60
  • Tax Collector’s Prayer – Luke 18:13

 

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…

Children's Sermon, Object Lessons

Burdens and Rest

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A speaker raises a glass of water and asks the audience “How heavy do you think this glass of water is?”

His answer: “It depends on how long you hold it”

  • “If I hold it for a minute, it is Ok.”
  • “If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm”
  • “If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance”

“It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes”

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier.

“What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while holding it up again.”

We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on.

When you return home from work, put the burden of work down. Don’t carry it home. You can pick it up
tomorrow. Rest and relax. Take one day at a time!!!!!

Take It to the Next Level

Although from a secular source, the principle behind it is biblical. Thats why Jesus told us to cast our burdens on Him, instructed us to pray Give us our daily bread And even in Psalms 23 though it is not clearly stated, the Shepherd leads His sheep besides green pastures and still waters day to day. We really ought to live one day at a time and really rely on nothing and no one else except on the Faithful Providence of God. He will give us the strength to carry on again.

Don’t borrow from tomorrow’s sunshine for its skies may turn to gray. Tomorrow is not our problem but God’s perfect plan. Therefore if any of us are yoked, are burdened, are held back by problems, dont hesitate to put it down and go to Jesus for
rest. He will give us the strength to carry on again.

Bible Scripture

  • “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22)
  • “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
  • Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Optional Object Lesson, Creative learning Activity, or Sermon for kids (Children’s Sermon)

Bring in several items of equal weight.  Empty plastic milk jugs filled with water or empty 1 liter soft drink bottles work well.  Ask for volunteers among the children or youth to join you in a friendly competition.  Let them pick up the items and ask them if the item is heavy?  You could also ask them to guess the weight.  Most will say that they are not really that heavy.  Then line the students up in a line and tell them they must hold the items straight out from their body at a right angle or 90 degrees. There will be a prize for the teen who can hold it there the longest.  The teenagers may not have considered the items heavy, but the longer they hold them, the heavier the items get.  If you want to add a little discussion to the process, ask the youth to share some of the burdens that people carry in life or share some of the burdens you have experienced for yourself.  Some examples of burdens could be: a hurt you needed to forgive, personal failure, worries, responsibilities, doubts, struggles, lost dreams, mistakes, a poor sense of self worth, abuse, etc.  Burdens are those things that tire us out and that cause us to worry.  Then share the story and talk about the scripture references.

Discussion Questions

  • How can you know if something is a burden?
  • What are some of the burdens youth experience?
  • We do we often carry our burdens instead of setting them down?  Why do we hold on to these burdens?
  • How can we let go of burdens? What are some of the ways we can place these burdens in the care of Jesus?
  • What is the benefit of placing our burdens into the care of Jesus?
  • What is a burden you need to let go of this week? How can you do that? What this give you freedom to experience or do?

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Learn More…

Children's Sermon, Object Lessons

St Patrick’s Day

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Description
You may want to use this lesson guide in a Children’s sermon or for a youth activity for St. Patrick’s day. The significance of St Patrick’s day is not in the traditions associated with it today, but in its remembrance of a forgiving teenager who was sold into slavery and escaped only to return to the country where he had been a slave, in order to bring the people there to the love of Christ.

Resources

Bring in a large three leafed clover (Shamrock) or clover stickers for each of the youth or children. You might also wear something green, or even let the youth have a taste of some traditional Irish food like corned beef and cabbage.

NOTE: Cabbage was traditionally served with Irish bacon, instead of corned beef. Corned beef is apparently an Irish American tradition started at the turn of the century because families could not afford Irish Bacon.

Introduction

St Patrick’s Day is March 17, on the day of his death, and has been traditionally associated with all things Irish and a lucky clover. At some point Leprechaun’s and rainbows with a pot of gold at the end somehow were included in the mythology. Like many holidays, St. Patrick’s day began as a religious holiday to commemorate his death, but the original purpose and traditions have been replaced with something almost entirely unconnected to the original celebration. Many of the details of his life are disputed, but we can be certain that he did preach to the unsaved in Ireland and placed a major role in the evangelization of a very large number of people.

Background

St Patrick was the bishop to Ireland and he lived in a time just before Christianity became the mainstream religion in the Roman Empire, sometime around AD386 – AD460.

His faith journey wasn’t an easy one. Like Daniel and Joseph of the Bible, he was captured by pirates and sold into slavery when he was only teenager (16 years old). Life was difficult for slaves. Not only was life difficult, but he was dragged from his home and sent into slavery in another country without his family. Tradition says that as a slave in Ireland he was forced to be a shepherd, herding sheep and pigs. His father had been a church deacon, and his grandfather a clergyman, but by his account, he only turned to religion and prayed out to God when he was in captivity. Conditions were harsh and his only comfort was what he received through praying constantly. After six years as a slave he escaped by boat to Britain. He traveled the 200 miles to the ocean and according to some stories either stowed away or booked passage. The boat landed not far from where his parents lived, and one would expect a joyful reunion and for him to remain with his parents. Instead of staying though, he traveled to France to study and become a priest. Because of his captivity, he never received any formal education and lacked the eloquence the other students had.

While studying for ministry, he received a vision from God to return to Ireland as a missionary. He only took the name Patrick when he later became a Bishop. It was a great act of forgiveness that he returned to the people who enslaved him in order to share with them the love of Christ.

Unlike most Bible teachers and preachers of the time, Patrick didn’t speak very well nor deliver fine sermons. It wasn’t his rhetoric that won the people over. He had the rare ability to use common, everyday life experiences to explain difficult theological concepts – much like Jesus did and the apostle Paul after Him. That’s pretty much why St. Patrick’s Day is represented by a shamrock. According to legend, Patrick would take up a three-leaf clover and ask, “Does it have one leaf or three?” Those listening would respond, “both.” Patrick then explained, “And so it is with the Trinity – Father, Son, and Spirit are one God. Three persons in one.” However, that alone wasn’t enough to bring his people to faith in God either.

Ironically, what he lacked in school, he more than made up for by what he learned through his upbringing of trials and adversity. And that was a desperate dependance on God through prayer. This was more than any theological school could teach him and it was instrumental in his success as a minister of God. It was that and the demonstration of his faith through his actions and prayer life that convinced so many to believe in God.

St. Patrick wasn’t just a minister for God inside the 4 walls of the church. He was outspoken about the practice of slavery in his country as well. His repeated pleas to the Christian leadership in Britain were ignored but he persisted and like the widow in Jesus’ parable, was rewarded – with the decision to end the slave trade in Ireland.

Take It to the Next Level

There’s much we can learn from the life of St. Patrick.

If you were captured and put into slavery as a teenager, do you think you might feel called to return to those who enslaved you and work for the salvation of their souls? I’m sure we’ve had at some point harbored unforgiveness in our hearts for less! Is forgiveness easy or difficult? Why is forgiveness an important concept to Christians? Is there someone you need to forgive today?

Sometimes we’re so caught up with discussing God in church that it never results in DOING what Jesus really called us to do. Jesus never called us to go to church on Sundays, He never called us to play music in the worship team, He never called us to serve Him as ushers. First and foremost, Jesus called us to go and make disciples, to love God with all our hearts, and to love His people. When all is said and done, do we live out our faith in the world “out there”? Are we sharing about Christ to our friends and families who have yet to know Him? Are we speaking out against the social injustices that we see? Is there a school bully you need to confront – not with your fists – but with the love of God? Is there someone who feels lost, hurt, depressed and rejected that needs to hear about the love a Savior has for them?

Let’s commit to being real St. Patricks today. As we remember and honor the man that was truly a follower of Christ, let us celebrate by putting our feet to motion and our hands to action for a world that has yet to hear or know about the Living God.

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Learn More…


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Children's Sermon

Checkerboard Faith

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Introduction
Use wheat kernels and a chessboard to teach the idea of a little faith growing into something very big.

Materials Needed
Wheat kernels. If you can’t find wheat, sunflower seeds, peas, or just about any other seeds will substitute. The volume would still be significant.
A checkerboard or chess board

Description
Seeds and doubling or used to show how faith, though it starts out small can grow to be very large.

Preparation
Set up a checker board with grains of wheat according to the story

What to Do
With the checkerboard on display ith the grains of wheat, tell the children this story:
Some time ago there was a display at the museum of Science and industry in Chicago. It featured a checkerboard with 1 grain of wheat on the first square, 2 on the second, 4 on the third, and 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, etc. A few squares down the board there were so many grains of wheat they couldn’t fit on one square. Above the display was this question: “At this rate of doubling every square, how much grain would you have on the checkerboard by the time you reached the 64th square?”

Ask children how much grain they think that would be?

After they provide a few ideas, give them the answer: “Enough grain to cover the entire subcontinent of
India 50 feet deep.”

Application
Our faith may start out small, but as God uses it, the end result can be very large! The boy’s small lunch offered to Jesus fed a Multitude. Elijah use a small jar of flour and oil to feel a woman and her son through a famine. David, a small boy, was used by God to defeat a giant. The Bible is full of stories in which God used a little faith in Him to do great things!

 


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Children's Sermon

Workers in the Vineyard

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Central Teaching Truth
God is generous and treats us all alike

Bible Text
Story of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-15)

Resources
Obtain M&M (snack) rewards or other rewards like bookmarks etc. for everyone

What to do/ say

  1. Begin by asking the children if they like to play ‘Let’s pretend’. Who do they like to pretend to be? Ask children what they would like to be when they grow up?
  2. Do any of them ever pretend to be servants? Would they like to be servants when they grow up? Probably not!
  3. Announce that you are going to have a pretend game now and give out some jobs that some volunteers can pretend to do for you. Perhaps someone could pretend to clean your car. Someone else could pretend to cook your dinner. Others could make your bed, tidy your bookshelves, iron your clothes or whatever. Come prepared with a list relevant to your situation. Finally, ask the rest to pretend to hang up your coat. Then call a halt to the proceedings, and announce that it is time for the payments to be made for the work done. Everybody receives one snack.

Debrief
Talk about what has taken place and ask whether the children think it is fair that everybody received the same reward. Sometimes life doesn’t seem fair…. but God is always fair. But I never told you i was going to give anyone a gift. A gave you a gift for helping me because I am a generous person. I didn’t give it to you because you were good, but because I am good. God gives us gifts, not because we are good, but because HE is good.


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Children's Sermon

Jesus Lead Us

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Central Teaching Truth
When life is unfair, God will help us through.

Bible Text
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand (John 10:27-28).

Resources
You’ll need three or four blindfolds and several objects to set up a small obstacle course. Ask one or two adult assistants to help you set up the course. Alternatively, blindfold everyone and lead them about the church.

What to do/ say

  1. As you begin your message, have your assistants set up an obstacle course in front of the area where the children sit.
  2. “Has anyone here ever gone through an obstacle course?” Let children respond.
  3. “Obstacle courses are used to train soldiers to run fast and to be quick and alert when they’re on the battlefield. We’ve set up a little obstacle course here today.” Describe the course you’ve set up.
  4. “Could I have three or four volunteers to try my obstacle course?” Choose three or four children. Let them begin the course and then stop them.
  5. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. You have to do this obstacle course blindfolded. But don’t worry, I’ll lead you.” Have the volunteers hold hands. Then lead them through the obstacle course. Other children may call out directions or encouragement.
  6. When children have completed the course, remove their blindfolds and have them sit down. “There, we made it! Congratulations!” Lead children in applause for volunteers.

Debrief

  1. “What would have happened if the blindfolded volunteers had to go through the obstacle course without a leader?” Let children respond.
  2. “Without a leader, they might have stumbled and fallen. The Bible says Jesus leads us like a shepherd leads sheep. Listen.” Read the scripture text from John 10:27-28.
  3. “When we’re following Jesus, we can’t always see what’s up ahead. Sometimes things may seem difficult and even unfair, but Jesus will always lead us, just like I led our brave volunteers.”
  4. “Of course, what happens in real life is a bit different from our obstacle course. When we’re following Jesus, we don’t reach the end of the obstacle course until we get to heaven. Yet, no matter how many obstacles are in our way, Jesus will always lead us through.”


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Children's Sermon

Walking in Faith (Trust)

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Description
Faith and trust are much the same thing in the Christian Experience. We trust in God and have faith that he will guide us and protect us in our walk with Him.

Materials
a blindfold

Preparation
Scatter chairs and obstacles around the room.

What to Do

  • Ask for a volunteer.
  • Explain that the volunteer will be blind-folded and then receive directions from you to walk from predetermined points A to B in the room.
  • The goal is to get the volunteer to the predetermined destination without bumping into things.
  • Before blindfolding the volunteer ask, “Do you trust me to guide you? “Do you have faith in yourself and in me to get from here to there without being able to see where you’re going? I will be with you for the journey and guide you along the way. Are you ready?”

Take It to the Next Level
You can use this to illustrate faith, trust, and also raise awareness of visual impairment and other physical challenges.

  • How is this similar to following God?
  • How is this like our spiritual walk in faith?
  • Why do you think the Bible calls our spiritual life a “walk”?
  • In what ways does God guide us?
  • What is the destination that God has planned in advance for us?
  • Is everyone’s journey the same?
  • What lessons can you learn from this to help you in your own spiritual walk?
  • What is ONE step you will take this week in your spiritual walk?


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Children's Sermon

Multiplied

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Description of the Children’s Sermon Idea
Jesus took a small boys lunch and fed a BIG crowd of 5000 people. Jesus can take whatever we give him, even if it is small, and make a BIG difference in the lives of others.

Scripture Text for the Children’s Sermon
Matthew 14:13-21; 26:26-30

Materials for the Children’s Sermon

  • A large deep basket, filled with loose cloth/ towels. A picnic basket with a cover flap on each side is ideal. You can put the small item in one side and open the other side to remove the larger items. (A large box could also be used) Make sure your basket or container is large enough to hold items use you choose for this activity, yet hide them from view.
  • Locate several objects of which you can find both a small and large size examples that look alike (such as a small spoon and a matching large one). If your class is small, you might consider collected one object for each student. Possibilities are: spoon, fork, plate, knife, napkins, bags of potato chips, cups, salt and pepper placed in different size ziplock bags, etc. Only be sure that they look alike. Food related items might be best in theme with a picnic idea, but you can also use paper clips, screw drivers, etc. Include among the items a small bread roll and a similar shaped large loaf bread. As well as 2 small fish and 2 large fish
  • 50 of any object – marbles work great!

The Children’s Sermon Message – What to do and say:

  • If you have chosen an object for each child, allow each to choose one object as they enter the room.
  • “In today’s lesson, Jesus went on a picnic. While on the picnic he did something very special. He took a boys lunch, and multiplied it to feed 5000 people. Let me show you an example of what Jesus did.”
  • “I’ll take this small spoon and put it in this basket.” [Wait a few seconds then take out the large spoon.]
  • “Here’s a small bag of chips.” [Place it in the basket and pull out a large bag of chips.]
  • “One boy brought Jesus his lunch. And Jesus made his little lunch so big that 5000 people could eat and there were still leftovers. [Put in the small bread loaf and take out the Big loaf. Give everyone a slice of bread. Then put in the two small fish and take out the two large fish.”
  • “But Jesus didn’t just feed a small class of students… and the little boys lunch didn’t just become a little bigger. The little boy’s lunch fed 5000 people! 5000 is a lot of people. [Show them the large loaf and 2 fishes…]
  • Pull out the small loaf and the two small fishes again and ask, “How many people do you think this could feed?”
  • “Probably not very many.. And these were people of all ages… Moms and Dads too!”
  • [Show them the 50 objects… in a basket… then help them image what 100 of them would look like.. (would they cover the whole floor of the room?]
  • “Jesus fed 5000. Jesus can take anything you give to him and do big things with it!”

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Children's Sermon

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Children’s Sermon Description
A manger scene, also known as a nativity scene, serves as a creative object lesson in this Children’s Sermon which teaches children that Jesus is the most important element of Christmas.

christmas_nativity2.jpgMaterials:
Classic Manger Scene containing:

  • A manger
  • Shepherds
  • Animals
  • Mary
  • Joseph
  • The Wisemen
  • A stable
  • Baby Jesus

Add a small Santa figurine of the same size as other figures in the nativity.

Preparation:

  1. Have all the pieces of the manger scene lined up across a table or a pulpit
  2. Add a Santa and do not include the baby Jesus.

What to do:
Ask the children to correctly position the figures in the nativity scene.
Some of the children may correctly recognize that Santa doesn’t belong. It’s great if they do, but if they don’t simply ask, “Is there something that shouldn’t be here?”

Explain:
Santa wasn’t part of the original Christmas, but became part of our Christmas Tradition many years later when a person named St. Nick brought gifts to people who were in need, sick, or suffering. So actually Saint Nick really wasn’t at the manger scene. Actually the wisemen weren’t there either. They had a very long journey and only arrived later. The visited Jesus at his house, not in the stable.

What to do:
The children may notice that the Baby Jesus is missing from the nativity scene! That’s Great! If they ask where Baby Jesus is, respond by asking “Are you sure Jesus should be there?” If they don’t mention it ask, “Is anything missing?”

Explain:
Yes, the most important part of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. Some people seem to forget about Jesus. Sometimes they even focus more on Santa than on Jesus. But the birth of Jesus is the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Jesus was a gift from God – the greatest gift. And God sent him to help us! Jesus would grow up and one day show us how much God really loves us!

Conclusion
So this Christmas remember that the best gift was? JESUS.
The reason we celebrate Christmas is? JESUS
When someone asks you what you want for Christmas? Say – JESUS!

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