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Choose from the following children's sermons:

• Like a Tree Planted by the Water, Psalm 1, Jer 17:5-10
  by Rev. F. Schaefer  (see below)

• Bless You! Luke 6, by Rev. F. Schaefer (please scroll down)

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Like a Tree Planted by the Water
a children's sermon based on Psalm 1,  Jeremiah 17:5-10
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

Good morning, my little friends.  Today's lesson is about trees.   The bible passage for today says that those who love God and do what is right are like trees planted by the water.  I'm trying to understand what that means and I was hoping you could help me.

Now, if a tree is planted near water, will it grow into:
a) a puny, little tree?   or ...
b) a mighty big and strong tree?

Of course. You're right: into a big tree.

Just imagine you were a mighty and strong tree (stretch out your arms and mime a tree and encourage the children to do the same).

What are big and strong trees good for?

Take suggestions from the kids (you can play in a strong tree, climb it, put up a swing in it, take shelter under it when it rains, sit in its shade...).

So, it is true that big strong trees are very useful. And that is also true for Christians.  When we are big and strong, God can use us. A tree needs water to grow strong. Christians need to keep God's commandments to grow strong.   When we love God and do what is right, then our faith gets stronger and stronger and then we can be strong for others and help them.

Who of you wants to be a strong Christian, as strong as a tree?    Let us pray to God to help us do what is right so we can grow strong:

"Dear God, we ask you to help each of us to become a strong Christian--as strong as a tree.  Help us make good decisions, to do what is right, to always love you and to help others.  Amen."

 

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Bless You!
a children's sermon based on Luke 6
by Rev. F. Schaefer

Props: a handkerchief

Invite the children to come up for the children's time in worship.  Show your handkerchief and ask if anybody knows what this is for.  Take a few suggestions, then demonstrate the use by pretending to sneeze into the handkerchief.

Ask the children for the various people give when someone sneezes.   The most common response is "bless you."  Ask the children if they know what this expression means.  Who is supposed to do the blessing?  What is the blessing for?  For people to get better, for well-being.

Make a transition to the "Bless Yous" Jesus gives in our passage.  Read a few of them to the children.  Tell them that Jesus said "bless you" to them, not because they sneezed, but because God wants to bless especially those who are needy, those who are poor, those who are sad, and those who suffer.

Jesus also blesses those who try to do the right thing; those who are making peace instead of taking revenge; who are meek and not aggressive, who are forgiving instead of judging. (You may want to expand this by fleshing it out with examples out of the children's home or school experience).

Closing prayer: "Dear God, thank you for your blessings; we especially appreciate the blessings for those who are poor and those who are sad.   But we also thank you for blessing all of us who try to live a good and peaceful life in your kingdom.  Lord, we need to be blessed by you; add a blessing to our day today so that we can show the whole world the love you put into our heart.   Amen."