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Choose from the
following Children's Sermons:
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Doctor God--Revival-ologist, John
20:19-31
-
Hard Questions for God, John 20:19-3
by Rev. F. Schaefer
-
2 Children's sermon seeds by DPSers
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Doctor
God--Revival-ologist
a children's sermon based on John 20:19-31
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
props: a stethoscope or first aid case
God morning, my little friends, today I want to start by asking
you a question: "who of you believes that the Lord Jesus was dead, and after 3
days made alive again by God?"
OK, it looks like this is not really difficult to believe for
you. Would you know that there was one disciple who didn't believe it--at
least not right away. This disciple was Thomas. Well, it was harder for him to
believe simply because he was missing the first time Jesus showed himself after
he came back from the dead.
Peter, John, James and all the other disciple told him
excitedly: "we have seen Jesus; he's alive." But Thomas said he needed to see
Jesus with his own eyes; he even wanted to feel his hands and side to see if it
was really Jesus.
Anyhow, the story has a happy ending, because Jesus appeared
among the disciples again. This time Thomas was there and he believed. But
Jesus said: "blessed are those who do not see and still believe."
Today I brought something that you may know from the doctor's
office (show your first aid case or stethoscope). What do you think; should I
switch jobs? Maybe I could be a nurse or a doctor instead of being a pastor,
what do you think? Well, I wasn't really serious about switching jobs; I'm quite
happy being a pastor.
Well, the reason I brought this medical equipment is to make a
point about resurrection. You know, even doctors can bring people back to life
sometimes, even after they have been dead for a few minutes. It's called
resuscitation. So, it shouldn't surprise us all that much that God can revive
Jesus from the dead--even after three days.
The bible says that God is our great physician--the greatest
doctor ever. You could even call him "Doctor God," because he has not only
made Jesus alive again, but he is also in the business of healing and giving
strength to people all the time. That's why we often pray to God to make us
better when we are sick.
And the best news is that Doctor God has also promised to make
us alive again some time after we die. He promised to raise us from the dead,
just as he raised our Lord Jesus, so we can live with him in heaven.
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Hard Questions for God
a children's sermon based on John 20:19-3
by Rev. F. Schaefer
Props: picture of a question mark or a cardboard figure of a question mark.
Good morning, children. Everybody probably knows what this is, right? That's
right, it's a question mark. Who can tell me what a question mark stands for?
(let the children give some answers.)
You know, the reason I brought this question mark is because there was one
disciple who had a lot of questions. Can anybody guess who it was? Do you think
it was Peter, or John...? It was Thomas. Have you ever heard the expression:
"Doubting Thomas?" That comes right from our Gospel text this morning.
For instance, when Jesus had risen from the dead and he appeared to the
disciples the first time, Thomas wasn't there. And, of course, all the other
disciples told Thomas: "we have seen Jesus, he appeared to us. "
And as the story goes, Thomas didn't believe them. He had a lot of questions,
like: "How can you be sure it was Jesus? Did he look like Jesus? Did you check
whether he had marks on his hands and a wound in his side (that's where they
pierced Jesus on the cross)? In fact, Thomas said: "unless I see the marks in
his hand and I can put my hand in his side to feel the wound, I will refuse to
believe that it is Jesus!"
Do you think it is ok to have questions about Jesus? Or about God? (let the
children talk).
You know, what happened next is kind of interesting, because the next time
Jesus appeared to the disciples, Thomas was there too. What do you think Jesus
said to Thomas? Did Jesus punish Thomas? Was he angry at him? Or was Jesus sad
that Thomas had questions about him? (nod head slightly after every question).
No, Jesus wasn't angry or sad. He said: "Thomas, just put your hand in my
side. Feel and see for yourself that it is me. Now do you know that it is really
me?"
And Thomas said: "My Lord and my God!" You know what's amazing about that?
Thomas was the first one in the bible to call Jesus God. Yes, he had a lot of
questions about Jesus' resurrection, a lot of doubt. But after he asked his
questions, Jesus answered him and that's when he knew more than the other
disciples, that Jesus was more than a messiah, Jesus was God.
So if you have a question about God, or the church, or about the pastor, or
about anything, don't be afraid to ask that question. It's o.k. to have
questions; asking questions is definitely a very good thing to do. Asking God
questions is good too, even when they are hard questions. An example of a hard
question is: "why does God allow so many children to suffer hunger and illness
in the world?" Can you think of any hard questions for God?
Let us bow for a prayer: "Dear God, thank you that we can always be open
and honest with you. Thank you that you always listen to our questions, and
that you even understand our doubts. Help us to have the courage to ask ask
honest questions and be open to your answers. Amen."
Children's sermon seed by a DPSer #1
Sharing the peace is an important part of our identity as Christians. After
his resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples who hovered in fear and
gathered behind locked doors. Jesus spoke the words "Peace be with you!" This
greeting became part of another of Jesus' miracles. His words eventually changed
their doubting minds and fearful hearts into faithful disciples who would go and
share the news of God's love. Because of the movement and touching inherent in
sharing Christ's peace in the assembly, it is naturally attractive to children.
Make sure to include them in your greeting, and encourage people to take extra
time in sharing this life-giving form of greeting.
Children's sermon seed by a DPSer #2
I like to use Psalm 150 when it comes around--I assign the kids either the
different instruments (they make the noises themselves) or different "things
that breathe," and then we praise God with lots of joyous noise. What would it
sound like if a donkey praised the Lord? A duck? A hippopotamus?
