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Choose from the following children's sermons this week:
- Getting What We Deserve, Luke 23:33-43 Randy Quinn
- Of Kings And Crowns
- Do Lord, Do Remember Me
- What If The King Were to Visit You
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Getting What We Deserve
a children's sermon based on Luke 23:33-43
by Rev. Randy Quinn
Do you ever listen to music on the radio or on a tape player? (I’m sure they
all have.)
Do you ever sing along or hum along with the music you hear? (Again, I’m sure
they all have.)
Have you ever tried to sing or hum a DIFFERENT song than the one you’re listening
to? (I’m not sure they have done this, though some may have.) I’ve tried
before, but it’s really hard for me because I like to "sing-along", not
"sing-awrong".
Let’s try something. (Turning to the congregation.) You all sing something
familiar – how about "Jesus Loves Me"? – while the children join me in
singing something else – we’ll sing "Away in a Manger."
(I’m not sure it will work, but I think we’ll find ourselves changing from
one song to another. We’ll try it several times before I stop.) It’s hard,
isn’t it?
I know someone who likes to sing, but every time I’m with him I notice how strange
it is that he sings whatever song comes to his mind, no matter what we may be listening
to. And he reminds me that sometimes people want us to do things that we know are not
right and it’s hard not to go along with them.
It isn’t songs they’re singing wrong, but wrong actions – like lying and
bullying and cheating. We know they’re wrong, but it’s hard not to do them
because it seems that everyone else is doing them.
But, you know what? The truth is that God is singing the song of goodness and wants us
to join in that song. People who are doing wrong are trying to sing the wrong song, and
it’s important for us to sing the right one so it’s harder for them to do wrong.
We can do right, no matter what people around us are doing, and maybe – just maybe
– they’ll start doing what’s right, too.
Let’s pray: "God we know you are like a great music leader. Help us follow
your lead and do the right things everywhere and every time. Amen."
Of Kings And Crowns
A children's sermon based on Christ the King
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
Props: have different crowns made from paper, cardboard,
plastic (eg. burger king crown, a wisemen crown from the Christmas play, a tiara, and
perhaps a crown of thorns).
Good morning, my little friends; today, I would like to show you my
collection of crowns. Aren't they pretty? Show your crowns, let some of the
children try them.
Now, who's wearing a crown? What kind of person? That's right: a
king or a queen. Perhaps a prince or princess...and Mr. Burger King.
Today, we are celebrating a special Sunday--today we celebrate Jesus, the
king. What does a king do? (Let the children share)
Yes, a king does all those things. A king has a lot of influence and
power. And that is true for Jesus, too. But Jesus is a good king and he uses
his power in a good way: to help people, to heal them and to save them.
He is also a humble king; a king who came to live in poor conditions,
being born in a barn. And his only crown he wore when he was among us was a crown of
thorns (if you have one, show it). And because Jesus was so good and humble, God
made him the most high King. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Prayer: "Dear King Jesus, we thank you that you are a good King--the
best King in the whole wide world. We thank you that you love us and that you care
for us, that we can trust in your mighty kingdom forever. Amen."
Do Lord, Do
Remember Me
A children's sermon based on Luke 23:33-43
by Rev. Frank Schaefer\
Props: Have printed lyrics ready and a tape (or musician)
stand by to accompany the singing of "Do Lord, O Do Lord, O Do Remember Me.
Greetings, my little friends; today I would like to share a song with you
that was very popular when I was your age. Yes, I actually was your age at one point
in time...but it wasn't really that long ago.
Play the song for them (or have the musician perform it). Do
you think you could help me sing it?
Have them sing the first stanza (perhaps twice)
You know, when they put Jesus on the cross, there were two people that were crucified next
to him, one to the left and one to the right. They were both thieves--people who stole
things from others. But one of them was sorry for the sins he had done and he said
these words to Jesus: "Remember Me, Lord, when you come into your kingdom."
What do you think the thief wanted Jesus to remember about him?
That he was such a good person?--no, he really wasn't a good person. I
tell you why: He wanted Jesus to remember that he believed in him; he also wanted Jesus to
remember that he was sorry for his sins.
And do you know what Jesus said to him" He said: "today
you will be with me in paradise." Jesus wasn't going to forget him.
But the other thief didn't believe in Jesus. Instead, he made fun of
him. I don't know about you, but I want to be like the first thief, the one
who believed in Jesus and who was sorry for his sins.
We believe in Jesus, don't we? Do we believe that Jesus is king?
(nod your head slightly) Yes, that's right; that's exactly what we celebrate
today: that Jesus is king. Today is Christ-the-King Sunday.
And we do want King Jesus to remember us too, don't we? How about
singing the song "Do Lord, Do Remember Me" one more time?
What If The King Were to Visit You
A kids' talk based on Christ the King Sunday
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
Ask the children what preparations they would make if the king/queen (president/prime
minister/chancellor/a very important person) were to come to their house. Would they
clean their rooms? Put the dirty clothes into the hamper? Vacuum the
carpet? Scrub the bathroom . . .?
Ask them why they would get everything shiny and clean? Because we want to make a good
impression on the king? Because we want to make the king feel comfortable?
Because we want to show respect to the king? Because we feel honored to be chosen?
Because we want to give our best to the king?
Tell the children that Jesus was made the highest King by God, and that's what we
celebrate today--Christ's reign as King over all the earth. And the most
amazing thing is that Christ the King can also live in our hearts if we ask him to.
Don't you agree that that's exciting? The King of the whole world wants to come into
our lives. So, just as you said you would clean up for the visit by an earthly king,
we better clean up our hearts for Christ the King; we need to clean up our acts: get rid
of sin, stop lying, cheating, calling others names, etc...
Prayer (if your congregation is of an evangelical persuasion, you may want to take this
opportunity to help the kids ask king Jesus into their hearts).
