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Choose from the following Children's Sermons:

• Strength in Unity,  1 Corinthians 3: 1-9
  by Rev. Frank Schaefer        (see below)
   

• God's Rules Are Good, Deuteronomy 30:15-20
  by Rev. Frank Schaefer         (see below)
   

• Love, 1 Corinthians 13, by Tom Hall and Frank Schaefer

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Strength in Unity
based on 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

Props: thin, uncooked spaghettis.
 

Tell the kids that one Christian standing alone cannot do much by themselves. Demonstrate this by taking a single strand of dry spaghetti and stand it up straight (keep it standing by holding it between the thumb and index finger of your left hand--if you're a right-hander). Using the palm of your right hand, apply some pressure on it from the top. This will cause the spaghetti strand to break (let a volunteer child try if possible).

Just like, one spaghetti strand, a single Christian is not very strong all by him or herself.

Now take a whole bunch of spaghettis out and hold them standing up with your left hand.   Apply some pressure on the bunch with the palm of your right hand.  The spaghettis will stand strong (let a volunteer child try if possible).

Tell the kids that several Christians together can accomplish a lot.

In our Scripture lesson this morning,  St. Paul writes a letter to the Corinthian church and asks them to work together ("we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.")

The sad thing is that a lot of Christians in the world are divided.  There are different kinds of churches and professions of faith.  And there are some Christians who don't go to church anywhere, because of the divisions and the strife.

Wouldn't it be wonderful, if all Christians were to stand together and help each other out?  Just imagine all churches would work together.  We could really make a difference in our neighborhoods and community.  Instead it seems sometimes as if every little church does it's own thing.  Let us pray this morning that Christians will understand that we really need one another.  Let us pray to God for unity, just as Jesus prayed for unity.

Prayer: "Lord Jesus make us one.   Let all Christians in this church and in this  town realize that we need each other.  We need your help to do this; please help us to love one another.  Thank you, Lord. Amen."

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God's Rules Are Good
a children's sermon based on Deuteronomy 30:15-20
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

props: a can with a warning label (such as bug spray, paint, oven cleaner) stating something like: "do not swallow" or "keep out of reach of children" etc.

Good morning my little friends.  Today we want to talk about "God's rules." They're called God's commandments in the bible. 

Commandments, or rules, are usually very helpful and good. God gave us rules so that we can live better lives. They help us. They protect us.  It's like with this spray can.  What does it say?  (mine is an "Off" bug spray can).  That's right.  And what do you use it for?  right again, to keep bugs away.

The can has rules printed on the back. One of them says something like: "do not spray into eyes."  Do you think that's a good rule to follow?  What could happen if you sprayed this stuff into your eyes?  That's right it could cause pain, damage, you might even go blind.

So, is it a good idea, do you think to follow the rule on this can not to spray the "Off" into your eyes?  Yes.  And what do you think?  Is it good to follow God's rules--God's commandments--too?  Yes, absolutely.

What are some of God's commands?  How about: You shall not steal?  Why do you think God said that?  So that we don't get in trouble with the law.  Or how about: "you shall not murder?"  That we can live in peace and security.  You see: God asks us to choose to live by his rules, because God knows that living by his rules is good for us.  What else can we choose? We choose to follow God, because he loves us so much and God watches out for us.

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Love
a children's sermon
by Tom Hall and Frank Schaefer

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 13

OBJECTIVE: To help children understand that God's idea of love is putting others first.

Good morning, my fine little friends! Guess what? We have a very good word to talk about today. See if you can guess what it is. I’m going to give you a quiz; see if you can guess the word. If you think you know what word it is, just raise your hand.    Ready? Okay:

Everybody needs it.
It is a four letter word.
Country western songs talk a lot about it.
When your mom or dad tucks you into bed at night, he or she sometimes uses the word when they say, "I ____ you very much."

That’s right! Love is the answer!  Last Wednesday we celebrated St. Valentine's Day--and that's all about love, isn't it? How many of you gave valentines to special people in your life?

The Bible says that love is something very, very special and that we all need it.   O.k. are you ready for another little fun quizz?  This time I will give you different sayings about love ("love is...") and you have to guess whether they are from the bible or not.  If you think they're from the bible raise your hand.    Ready?  Go:

1) Love is patient, love is kind

2) Love is blind.

3) Love cares more for others than for self.

4) Love isn’t always "me first."

5) Love doesn’t keep a list of who’s naughty or nice.

6) First comes love, then comes marriage, then they come with the baby carriage!

7) Love looks for the best in others,
and always trusts God.

Cool, you guys did really well on this quiz.  You pretty well know what Christian love is all about.  (To congregation--if they are used to this sort of thing): I think they deserve a round of applause.

The bottom line is: when we love someone--even our pet--we don't think of ourselves first, but we are concerned about others; we want to help them, to take care of them, to make sure they are okay.

St. Valentine--the man after which this day is named--was a man full of love and he gave to the poor and helped others.  So maybe if all of us really try hard to love someone else, maybe love will help us to solve our problems in the world. But it must start with you and me, right?

Let’s pray: "Dear God we thank you for your love for us.  For all the things you have done for us, that you always care for us.  You have given us a good example of what Love looks like.  You gave us people like St. Valentine and your Word, the bible, to teach us that true Love puts others first.    Help us to love others like you love us.  Amen."