Gary Neal Hansen's Blog, page 6

November 17, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 — The Talents

Pile of Cash (CC by Nick Ares-SA 2.0 DEED)

Preface for Pastors and Parents

This children’s sermon on Matthew 25:14-30 is the second in a sort of a series. The lectionary spends three weeks on Matthew 25, with three successive portraits of the Last Judgment. That’s what these sections are about, after all. Jesus gives two parables and then a sort of parabolic description of the Last Judgment.

Last week it was a big party: a wedding banquet. Next week is the parabolic description that we’re most familiar: the sheep and the goats, judged by their treatment of their suffering neighbors.

I think it is very useful that Jesus gave us more pictures of “the end” than just that one. It ought to keep us from setting up that one as if it were a divine decree, or systematic theology, or like a documentary film of actual events.

Here’s an analogy: It’s like the four different Gospels. They help us to see Jesus more clearly, both by being different and by referring to the same true story. We hold the distinctives of each Gospel in our minds separately, and also subconsciously blend them together.

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Similarly, we should look at these three views of the last Judgment and hold onto then separately. At the same time, our Christ-loving mind should quietly harmonize them. That should keep us from being dogmatic about something inherently mysterious.

I have to say, though, that while I deeply love this particular parable, it’s a bit challenging to make a really kid-friendly children’s sermon on Matthew 25:14-30. I fear that even if I’m able to make the basic story understandable, helping kids make the leap from the parable to the meaning could be a tougher go.

As usual, when in doubt, I’ll start with a simple retelling of the story, and see where it goes.

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 25:14-30

Good Morning, kids! I am so glad to see you here today in worship. Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.

Last week I was telling you how Jesus always knew three things: He knew he would die on the cross. He knew he would rise again on Easter. And he knew he would come back at the end of the age.

And I reminded you that every Sunday when we say the Apostles’ Creed we remember these same things. We say

Jesus was “crucified, died, and was buried.”

And “On the third day he rose again.”

Then “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

Well, Jesus’ friends were able to see the first two of those things with their own eyes. But the third thing, Jesus coming back at the end of the age, was more mysterious. Jesus’ friends had lots of questions about that. So Jesus told them several different stories to help them imagine what it would be like. Here’s how I imagine them talking about it.

The End of the Age

“Um, Jesus?” said Peter one night as Jesus and his friends sat around the campfire.

“Yes Peter?” said Jesus.

“I’m wondering about ‘the end of the age.’” Peter said. “I know you said I shouldn’t call it ‘Judgment Day.’”

“Right,” said Jesus, “Too scary.”

“Okay,” said Peter. “But I was thinking about that story you told. You said it was going to be like a big party.”

“That’s right” said Jesus.

“But isn’t there may be more to it than that?” Peter asked. “I mean there must be some reason people call it ‘Judgment Day.’”

“Peter,” said Jesus quietly, “I wish you’d stop calling it that. But yes, there are other ways to think about the end of the age. Let me tell you a story.”

A Boss and Some Workers

Once upon a time there was a Boss of a big company. One day she was sitting in her big corner office looking out the window.

“I’ve worked hard to get to the top,” she said to assistant. “Now I have lots of money saved up. I think I’ll take some time off and travel around the world.”

“But Boss,” said her assistant, “What will happen to everything here? Won’t your company fall apart if you just leave like that?”

“Good point,” said the Boss. “I have a great idea! I’ll leave things in the hands of some trustworthy employees. Call a meeting for tomorrow morning. I want you there. And get Sandy, the Chief of Operations—she’s been with me from the start. And bring Val, that new mail room clerk.”

“Are you sure you wont Val, Boss?” asked the assistant. “She’s kind of new. And you remember what happened last week, right?”

“Never mind that,” said the Boss. “I know she has some issues. But I think she has real potential. Now call that meeting. And get our banker on the phone for me.”

The Meeting

The next morning, the Chief of Operations, the Boss’s Assistant, and the mail room clerk all gathered in the Boss’s office.

On the boss’s desk were eight Big Bank Bags full of money.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” said the Boss. “I’m about to take a trip around the world. I’m going to be gone for quite a while. While I’m gone I’m putting you in charge of the company’s money.”

And he pointed to the eight Big Bank Bags full of money sitting on his desk.

“Um, Boss?” asked Val, the mail room clerk. “I don’t think you called the right person. I’m just the mail room clerk.”

“Nonsense, Val!” the Boss said. “You have great potential. That’s what I think. And I’m the Boss.”

The Boss put five big money bags on a cart and rolled it to Sandy. “Sandy,” she said, “You’re my most trusted employee. You are in charge of these five Big Bank Bags full of money.”

“Wow!” said Sandy. “Thanks!”

Then the Boss picked up two Big Bank Bags full of money, and handed them to her Assistant. “You always work so hard to keep this business working well,” said the Boss. “I’m putting you in charge of two Big Bank Bags full of money.”

“Wow!” said the Assistant. “Thanks!”

Then the Boss picked up the last Big Bank Bag full of money.

“Val,” she said, “you have great potential. I’m putting you in charge of this Big Bank Bag full of money.”

“Wow!” said Val. “I’m so scared!”

Then the boss left for her big trip.

While The Boss Traveled…

Sandy, the Chief of operations, was full of ideas about new business ventures. So she invested her five bags of money in new projects.

The Boss’s Assistant knew the kinds of projects the Boss would like. So she invested her two bags of money in those projects.

But Val, the Mail Room Clerk, was terribly afraid she would do something wrong and get in trouble. So she buried her bag of money under a rock to keep it safe.

The Boss Comes Back

After a long time, the Boss got back from her trip.

She called a meeting of those three employees.

Sandy came in pushing a cart full of money bags, and pulling another cart of bags behind her.

“Welcome back, Boss!” she said. “Hey look: I invested all that money. Now we have TEN big bags of money.”

“That’s so great!” said the Boss. “I’m giving you a promotion! You will be the new Chair of the Board of Directors.”

Then the Boss’s Assistant came in, rolling another cart carrying money bags.

“Welcome home, Boss,” she said. “I knew the kinds of projects you like, so I invested your two bags of money. Now look: We have FOUR bags of money!”

“That’s so great!” said the Boss. “I’m giving you a promotion! You will now be a member of the Board of Directors!”

Then Val, the Mail Room Clerk, came in with a money bag covered with dirt. As she set down the bag of money, dirt scattered all over the Boss’s desk.

“I was afraid I’d get in trouble,” Val said, “so I buried your money bag under a rock. Sorry it got all dirty.”

“Oh, Val!” said the Boss. “This is so disappointing. Why didn’t you at least put it in the bank? The money would have been safe, and it could at least have earned some interest.”

“Sorry,” Val said. “I didn’t think of that.”

”Looks like you’ll still be working in the mail room,” said the Boss.

“Forever?” asked Val.

“Probably so.” said the Boss. “Sandy, how about you take this bag from Val and put it with your ten bags.”

Val went back to the mail room. She cried. People noticed she was so upset she was grinding her teeth together.

Peter and Jesus.

“So,” said Jesus, “that’s another way to look at the End of the Age when I come back.”

Peter thought for a second. “You mean we’ll all show you what we did with the stuff you gave us? And you’ll either like it or you won’t?”

“That’s right,” said Jesus.

“But how will we know what you want us to do with all the blessings you give us?” Peter asked.

“You’ll figure it out,” said Jesus. “Do things that you think would be helpful to the kingdom. Do things you think I might like to do. But do something.”

Wondering

I wonder what kinds of riches Jesus has entrusted to you and me?

I wonder what we might do with our gifts to be helpful to his Kingdom?

I wonder if you’ve noticed the kinds of things Jesus likes to do in the world?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

You can let me know that you are using it, either in the comments below, or using the contact form above. You can put a little notice in your church bulletin that your children’s sermon is adapted from one published on GaryNealHansen.com.You can support my work over on Patreon. (Just $1 per month brings my children’s sermons straight to your inbox about two minutes after they go live. And every little bit keeps me going…)

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Published on November 17, 2023 09:25

November 8, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 25:1-13

Wedding Reception (cc Parekh Cards-SA 2.0)

Preface for Pastors & Parents

There are two challenges in writing a children’s sermon on Matthew 25:1-13.

First, the parable is inherently metaphorical. Little kids don’t think in metaphors the way grown-ups do. So while the story format of a parable is appealing, there’s a big leap to make: Kids have to go from a story about bridesmaids and lamp oil to a meaning about being ready for Jesus to come again. That is actually very hard.

Second, a children’s sermon on Matthew 25:1-13 has to make kid-friendly connections on unlikely topics. It’s all about planning ahead, acquiring resources of some kind to be ready for a future event about which our understanding is…limited. Maybe your kids are different from mine, but it seems like long-term planning is not a strength of the 4-10 year old set.

Actually, all of Matthew 25 (source of our Gospel text for the next three weeks) is images of the final judgment. I suppose some Christians frequently bring the Last Judgement into conversation with kids. I’m not among them.

And really, I recommend we think twice about it, especially if the words we say about final judgment could reasonably be expected to scare kids. You can’t scare people into faith. Faith is trust—a response to a generous promise, to the Good News of Jesus’ loving invitation.

So…

Let’s think twice together, and see if we can come up with a Good News, faith-prompting children’s sermon on Matthew 25:1-13.

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 25:1-13

Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you. It’s great that you are here in worship this morning, and I’m especially grateful that you came up to hear the children’s sermon.

You know, for years Jesus traveled around with his friends, helping people, and teaching people, and loving people. All that time, Jesus knew that eventually three things were going to happen.

He was going to die on a cross on the day we call “Good Friday.”

He was going to come alive again on the day we call “Easter.”

And he was going to come back again someday, to welcome all his friends into the Kingdom of heaven.

We remind ourselves of those things later in the worship service when we say the words we call “The Apostles’ Creed.”

We say he “was crucified, died, and was buried.”

We say, “On the third day he rose again.”

And we say “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”

Jesus knew that was all going to happen. So he used to talk about these things with his friends.

Here’s how I imagine that happening

Final Judgment?

One evening, Jesus and his friends were sitting around the camp fire talking.

“You know, Jesus,” said Peter, “I think you should stop talking about ‘Judgment Day’ at the end of the age. Its just too scary.”

“Well, Peter,” Jesus said, “I need to talk about what’s true. And it’s true that I’m coming back at the end of the age. But maybe it would be less scary if you didn’t call it ‘Judgment Day.’”

“But what am I supposed to call it?” asked Peter. “You say you’re coming back. Everybody knows you’ll be deciding who gets to come onto your kingdom and who doesn’t. That’s Judgment Day. And I think it’s scary.”

Party Time?

“You say everybody knows that,” said Jesus. “Hmm… I wonder.”

“Well,” said Peter, “What would your call it?”

“How about ‘Party Time’?” Jesus said. “Doesn’t that sound better than ‘Judgement Day?’”

“Oh sure, ‘Party Time’ sounds better,” said Peter, “but everybody knows—”

“No, seriously, Peter,” said Jesus. “That’s how you should think about when I come back. It’s going to be a big wonderful party. And everybody will be invited.”

Jesus could tell Peter didn’t really believe him. So he said, “Let me tell you a story about what it will be like when I come back.”

Invitation to the party

Once upon a time there was a couple. They loved each other so much that they decided to get married. They went to all their friends and said “We’re getting married! You’re all invited to the celebration! It’s going to be the best party ever! Will you come?”

“Great!” said the friends. “When will the wedding be?”

“Hard to say,” said the bridegroom. “We don’t exactly know. But will you promise to come?”

“You don’t know?” said one friend. “How can you not know? It’s your own wedding!”

“It’s like this,” said the bridegroom. “I have to go on a trip. We can’t get married till I get back. Can we count on you to come?”

“Um,” said another friend, “can you at least say roughly when it will be? I need to mark my calendar.”

“Actually I can’t,” said the bridegroom. “It might be a really short trip. Then again it may be a really long trip. It’s just hard to say. So, can we count on you to be there when the party starts?”

Well, they all talked about it for a while, and ten of the friends finally said “Yes! We’ll be there! Thanks for asking us!”

Then they said “Oh! And have a great trip!”

And off the bridegroom went on his trip.

Getting Ready

“What should we do while we wait?” one asked.

“How soon do you think he’ll come back?” asked another.

“I suppose if it’s a really short trip, we should be ready for the party today,” said a third..

“Or tonight!” said a fourth. “If he comes after dark we’d better have lamps ready.”

So everybody agreed to go get their lamps.

But half of them thought “If he comes really really late at night we’ll need extra oil for our lamps.”

So five of the ten went and bought extra lamp oil.

The five others them just brought their lamps — with no extra oil.

Waiting

Each day they waited.

Each night they waited.

Still the bridegroom didn’t come.

Finally one evening, just before dark, a messenger came. “Looks like the bridegroom is on his way! Get ready for the party!”

“When exactly does he arrive?” our asked.”

“Exactly?” said the messenger. “I have no idea.”

“But he’s really finally coming?” said the friend.

“Oh yes, definitely,” said the messenger. “This evening. Or tonight. At least I think so. Just be ready for the party!”

Lamps Burning

By then it was getting dark, so all the friends lit their lamps.

“I hope he comes soon!” one said.

And they waited. And they waited. And they waited.

The ten friends’ kept their lamps burning, all evening long.

They noticed their oil was getting low. But still, no sign of the bridegroom.

One by one, all five who brought extra oil poured it into their lamps.

“Hey friend,” said one of those who brought no extra oil, “can I use some of your extra oil?”

“Sorry!” the friend said, “My extra oil is all in my lamp now. Maybe you can go to the store and buy some more.”

So the five friends went off double-quick, to buy some more lamp oil.

The Bridegroom!

While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived!

“I’m back!” he said “It’s time for my wedding party! Come with me!”

The five friends whose lamps were burning were so happy to see him.

“Where are we going?” they asked.

“Down to the shore,” said the Bridegroom. ”We’re all getting on my great big yacht! The wedding party will be out in the ocean under the stars!”

“Ooh!” they said. “So romantic!”

So the five friends went with the bridegroom. They walked down to the shore. They got on the bridegroom’s yacht. And they all sailed away. The bride and groom had a beautiful wedding on the ocean. They served up an amazing feast for their friends. Everybody danced and celebrated under the stars.

But back on shore the others came back from the store with their bottles of lamp oil.

“Hey! Where is everybody?” they said.

Peter and Jesus

“So,” Jesus said, “that’s how the end of the age is like a big party. Isn’t that a lot better than ‘Judgment Day’?”

“Well, yeah,” said Peter. “But I kind of feel bad for the friends who got left on shore.”

“Yeah,” said Jesus. “That is sad. I guess you should make sure you have lots of oil for your lamp!”

Wondering

I wonder if when Jesus comes back it will really be like a big wedding party?

I wonder how the friends felt when thy got invited, but didn’t know when the party would be?

I wonder what you and I can really do to make sure we are ready for the party?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

The post A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 25:1-13 appeared first on Gary Neal Hansen.

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Published on November 08, 2023 15:48

October 21, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 22:15-22 — Whose Image?

George Washington (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Preface for Pastors and Parents

I took a slightly different approach to this week’s children’s sermon on Matthew 22:15-22. It‘s standard for me to start with a friendly welcome. (I think of it as the “Mr Rogers Moment.”) Actually, I think that welcome is really important — a Gospel lesson in itself, that too many pastors don’t bother with.

This week I extend that welcome to make a point: Each of the children who comes up for the children’s sermon is created in the image of God. That’s pretty wonderful in itself, but I talk about it for two reasons.

First, it’s true and kids should know it. It really is the reason behind my warm and friendly welcome.

Second, though, it is something that you need to have in mind if you want to get a crucial and weighty point of this Bible passage. You’ll see.

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 22:15-22

Good morning kids! I am so happy to see you. I’m glad you came to worship today, and I’m especially glad you came up to hear the children’s sermon.

You know, kids, every time you come up here I tell you that I’m happy you’re here. And it’s really true. I wonder if you know why I get so excited to see you?

Here’s why: It’s because when I see you, I see something about what God is like. Its true!

Made in God’s Image

That’s what the Bible says when it tells the story of God making the very first people.

God said “Hey! We made the whole world, with all the plants, and all the bugs, and all the fish, and all the birds, and all the animals. Now let’s make something really amazing. Let’s make one really special kind of animal who is sort of like us!”

The Bible uses a very special word for the way you and I are like God. It says we are made in God’s “image,” or God’s “likeness.” In the old Greek version it says we are made as God’s “icon.”

Those are words painters use.

When an artist makes a painting of a person, it’s called that person’s “image.”

If the painting looks a lot like the person, they say it’s a good “likeness.”

And if the painting is of someone who reminds us of Jesus, the church calls the picture an “icon.”

God made you in God’s own image. There is something about you that is like something about God. It’s not what your face or your body looks like. It’s really about who you are on the inside.

As you grow closer to God, your life will remind people of who God is — you’ll be a good likeness of God. You’ll be an icon.

Jesus and the Image

Jesus mentions this in our story from the Gospel this morning.

Some picky, judgy people wanted to get Jesus in trouble. I think they were jealous. They wanted to trick Jesus into saying something people wouldn’t like to hear. That way, maybe people wouldn’t like Jesus so much.

They knew nobody liked paying taxes to the government. So they came up to Jesus and asked him a question about paying taxes.

If it happened today, here’s how the conversation would have gone.

“Hey, Jesus!” said the picky, judgy people. “You’re such a good teacher. We know you’ll tell us the truth. Does God want us to pay taxes to the government? What does God’s law say?”

“You’re just trying to get me in trouble,” Jesus said, “But I don’t mind. It’s an easy question. Bring me a dollar.”

Someone dug into their pocket and found a brand new crisp dollar bill. They brought it to Jesus.

“Okay,” said Jesus. “Take a look at this dollar bill. Whose image is on it? Is there a likeness of somebody? Is there an icon of some kind?”

“It’s George Washington, of course!” they said. “Washington’s image is on every dollar.”

“Well then,” said Jesus, “if it has Washington’s image, it must belong to Washington. When it’s tax time, give what belongs to Washington back to Washington.”

They started to grumble. They really didn’t like paying taxes.

“By the way, there’s one other thing,” said Jesus.

“What’s that?” they asked.

“If you give Washington what has Washington’s image on it, you should also give God what has God’s image on it.”

Wondering

I wonder why people really don’t like to pay taxes to the government?

I wonder if it was easier to pay their taxes when they realized whose image was on their money?

I wonder how you and I can give God what has God’s image on it?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

The post A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 22:15-22 — Whose Image? appeared first on Gary Neal Hansen.

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Published on October 21, 2023 06:14

October 13, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 22:1-14 — The Wedding Banquet

McAlpin Wedding Party 1905 (public domain)

Preface for Pastors and Parents

The writer of a children’s sermon on Matthew 22:1-14 must tread with care. The challenge? In a straightforward reading of this story, God does not come off too well. It is Matthew’s version, not Luke’s, that has all the troubling bits.

Those who refuse to come to the wedding banquet beat and kill the king’s messengers.

The king goes into a genocidal rage against them, burning their city to the ground.

One poor wedding guest breaks the dress code, and gets cast into the outer darkness — with the usual weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Frankly it’s a bit over the top.

Sometimes I wonder whether the whole “weeping and gnashing of teeth” thing was kind of a joke, back in the day. It’s not funny today. We hear these parables, with their grim concluding trope, with ears shaped by a thousand years or so of literal interpretation.

But what if you pictured these things being said by a sixth grade boy? All of that beating up, and killing, and tossing out of the banquet hall sounds familiar coming from a kid’s mouth.

Truth be known, I don’t want to draw attention to any of this in my conversation with actual kids on Sunday morning. If I bring it up at all, I’ll have to stop and explain it. Instead of being Jesus’ weird humor, it will become the whole focus of the sermon.

With adults, I’d probably talk about it. With the kids, not so much. Better to look for the core of the story, the part where some Good News is hidden–Good News about Jesus for kids. That’s what I’ll aim for in my children’s sermon on Matthew 22:1-14.

(By the way, if you want to see my regular Monday Meditation on this text, it’s through this link.)

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 22:1-14

Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you. Thanks for coming to worship today, and thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.

Today’s Gospel reading is a story that Jesus told to some grumpy people. Here’s how I imagine it happening.

All day long people had been asking Jesus hard questions. And all day long Jesus had answered them by telling them stories.

Finally they said “You keep talking about the Kingdom of Heaven.” they said. “You say the Kingdom of Heaven is like this, and the Kingdom of Heaven is like that. Why won’t you just tell us straight out what it is?”

“To find out what the Kingdom of Heaven really is, you’ll have to come follow me,” said Jesus. “Until you come along, you can only look at it from the outside. But I bet you’d really like it. The Kingdom of Heaven is pretty awesome.”

The people asking the questions were pretty frustrated about this. They said, “Why won’t you ever just give us a straight answer?”

Jesus said, “I think it’s best to compare the Kingdom of heaven to things you already know about. Then when you decide to come along, you’ll recognize it.”

“Okay, fine!” said the grumpy people. “What can you compare the Kingdom of heaven to?”

“How about a party?” said Jesus. “Would you believe the Kingdom of heaven is like a really big party?”

“No,” said the grumpy people. “Probably not.”

“Well it’s true,” Jesus said. “Let me tell you a story about that.”

A King. A Son. A Party.

Once upon a time, there was a king. This king had a son. The king’s son was getting married.

The king called his servants together. He said “My son’s wedding is this weekend! I love my son so much! I’ve planned the best party ever, and invited lots and lots of people. It’s going to be so much fun!”

The servants asked, “What can we do to help?”

The king said “Here is a list of all the people I’ve invited. Go tell them everything is ready. It’s time to come to the party!”

Telling the Guests.

Some of the servants went to the first house.

They said, “The king’s son is getting married! You are invited! It’s time to come to the party!”

The people just rolled their eyes.

“Great food!” said the servants. “Music! Dancing! Come join the fun!”

“Meh,” said the people. “We decided not to go.”

Some of the servants went to the second house.

“The king’s son is getting married!” they said. “You are invited! It’s time to come to the party!”

“I’m not going!” said one person. “I have a business to run.” And she walked away.

“Great food!” said the servants, “Music! Dancing! Come join the fun!”

The other person said, “I have to work on my farm.” And he just walked off.

Some of the servants went to the third house.

“The king’s son is getting married!” they said. “You are invited! It’s time to come to the party!”

But the people in that house said “I don’t want to hear about some stupid party. I don’t like the king. I don’t like the king’s son. And I don’t like you!”

Then the people in that house jumped up and started hitting the king’s servants They knocked them to the floor and kicked them.

“Hey stop that!” said the king’s servants. “There is going to be great food! Music! Dancing! Come join the fun!”

But the people just left those servants lying on the ground.

Plan B.

When the king heard that nobody was coming, he was so disappointed. “I offered them something wonderful! Great food! Music! Dancing! But they wouldn’t come — and they were really mean to my servants. That makes me so angry!”

The servants asked, “What do you want us to do?”

“Well,” said the king, “everything is ready, but my friends wouldn’t come. How about you go out to the street and invite everybody you see?”

So, out they went. To everybody they met they said “Hey! the king wants you to come to his son’s wedding banquet. Great food! Music! Dancing! Go get ready!”

Most of the people said “Thank you so much! What a lovely invitation!” Then they went to get their best wedding clothes.

But one guy heard the news when he was coming back from the gym. He was wearing a torn, sweaty t-shirt and an old pair of gym shorts. He said “Free food? Cha-Ching! Count me in!”

The Banquet

Soon the banquet hall was full of people. The king looked out and saw all kinds of people. He saw rich people and poor people. He saw nice people and mean people. He saw good people and bad people.

They were all dressed up in their best wedding clothes, enjoying the party.

“Three cheers for the king!” shouted the crowd. “Thank you for inviting us to the party! What an awesome king!”

But then he saw that one guy in his torn sweaty T-shirt. He was over by the food table, stuffing sandwiches into the pockets of his old gym shorts.

Comparing

“So you see” said Jesus, “You really can compare the Kingdom of heaven to a big party.”

“I don’t know…” said the grumpy people.

“But one thing is for sure,” said Jesus.

“What’s that?” they asked.

“You are all invited,” said Jesus. “You should get ready for the party!”

Wondering

I wonder how the Kingdom of heaven is really like a party?

I wonder how the king felt when he saw that guy in his sweaty torn T-shirt and gym shorts?

I wonder how you would feel about going to the king’s party?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

The post A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 22:1-14 — The Wedding Banquet appeared first on Gary Neal Hansen.

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Published on October 13, 2023 17:24

September 27, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 21:23-32

Bouncers (CC by Ivan Radic 2.0)

Writing a children’s sermon on Matthew 21:23-32 brings a particular challenge, even if it’s a familiar one. How to find a kid-friendly facet of the text to focus on?

There’s a parable in the second half of the passage. Usually I’d gravitate to that, especially since it includes two kids — though we don’t know their ages, and they don’t sound little. It’s the one about two sons, the first who says “NO!” but then does what he’s asked, and the second who says “YES!” but actually doesn’t do it.

If I focus on the parable out of context, as if it’s about any ordinary family, and the behavior of the kids, then it is going to sound moralistic. (Believe me, that parable has come to mind more than once in my own life as a parent…) I don’t like children’s sermons to be moralistic, telling kids “Be good. Be obedient.” It’s tiresome, and brings all kinds of risks and problems in less than happy families.

But if I focus on that parable in context it would likely strike some as anti-semitic. He’s speaking it against the Jewish authorities. I don’t want to go there. And honestly, the parable is deeply bound to the context.

The context of the story is an argument over Jesus’ authority. Do kids really care about that? Probably not.

Jesus’ first salvo is to put his interrogators in a pinch based on what they will say about John the Baptist’s authority—again, do kids really care?

But there is something in this story that is familiar from childhood. Kids with power, trying to boss around kids without power, or trying to get them in trouble. Let’s go with that.

You can tell me how you think it works in this children’s sermon on Matthew 21:23-32.

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 21:23-32

Good morning, kids! I’m so happy to see you. I’m glad you are here in worship today, and I’m especially glad you came up to hear the children’s sermon.

In the Gospels there are lots of different kinds of stories.

Some are stories about Jesus healing people who were sick.

Some are stories about Jesus teaching groups of people.

Some are stories about Jesus spending time with his friends.

Today’s story is another kind of story. It’s a story of people trying to get Jesus in trouble.

Actually there are quite a few stories where people try to get Jesus in trouble.

Maybe you’ve been in situations like that. Sometimes bullies and mean kids try to get other kids in trouble—at least they did when I was a kid. Let’s see what Jesus did when some people were mean to him and tried to get him in trouble.

At the Temple

One day Jesus said to some of his friends, “Hey, let’s go to the Temple!”

Peter said, “Okay. But how come you want to go to the Temple?”

And Jesus said, “I want to teach the people about the Kingdom of God.”

So off they went.

When they got to the front door of the Temple, some big guys in fancy robes stepped out in front of them, their muscly arms crossed. “Not so fast, Jesus” said the biggest of the big guys, sticking his arm out to block Jesus. He actually pushed Jesus back down the steps! “What do you think you’re doing, coming into this Temple? We’ve heard all about you.”

“I’m here to teach the people about theKingdom of God,” said Jesus, stepping back up toward the door.

Questions About Authority

“Stop right there, Jesus,” said the biggest man. “Who gave you the authority to teach about the Kingdom of heaven?”

“Maybe you should come listen,” said Jesus. “Then you can decide for yourselves.”

And he took another step forward, between the two biggest men. But the two biggest men moved together and blocked Jesus from going in.

“Look Bub,” said the biggest man, “We’re in charge here. This is our territory, see? If you don’t answer our questions we’re not letting you in. Who gave you the authority to teach here?”

“I’m not going to answer your question,” said Jesus. “I’m going in, to teach.”

“But you have to answer our question,” said the big man.

“Okay,” said Jesus, “But only after you answer my question.”

“What? Wait!” said the big guy. “What question?”

By now quite a crowd was gathered to see what was going on between Jesus and the big guys. “You remember my cousin, John the Baptist,” said Jesus. “Well, he came and baptized lots of these people.”

The people in the crowd were nodding and smiling as they remembered John the Baptist.

“John was a prophet!” shouted someone, and a rumble of agreement went all through the crowd.

Someone else said “He baptized my whole family!”

“Okay, big guys,” said Jesus. “These people here remember John the Baptist. So tell me: Did John’s baptism come from God? Or did he just sort of make it up?”

Fearing the Crowd

There was a rumble through the crowd, sort of like “Oooohhh.”

Then there was an awkward silence. The two biggest guys whispered together for a moment. Then the biggest one said “We don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” asked Jesus. “You say you’re in charge of the temple, but you don’t know if John’s baptism was from God?”

“Well,” said the biggest guy quietly, like just to Jesus, “If we say he was from God, you’ll ask why we didn’t go get baptized.”

“Yeah. And if we say he made it up,” whispered the other big guy, “this crowd here will cause a riot.”

“So we decided we won’t answer,” said the biggest guy.

“Yeah,” said the other big guy. “So there.”

“Okay, then,” said Jesus, smiling. “Then I won’t tell you where my authority comes from either.”

Getting Into the Kingdom

Then, Jesus and his friends went into the temple to teach. They squeezed past the big guys, and lots of people from the crowd started to squeeze past too, to get good seats.

But Jesus turned back and called out to the big guys. “Hey, you know, you should come too. All these other people are going to get into the Kingdom of God ahead of you!”

Then Jesus and the disciples laughed, and he started teaching.

Wondering

I wonder how those big guys felt when Jesus wouldn’t answer their question?

I wonder why Jesus hardly ever gave anyone a straight answer to their questions?

I wonder how the people in the crowd felt when Jesus taught them in the Temple?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

The post A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 21:23-32 appeared first on Gary Neal Hansen.

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Published on September 27, 2023 15:51

September 21, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 20:1-16

Apples (cc by Alejandra Palés 2.0)

The big challenge to bringing you a children’s sermon on Matthew 20:1-16 is finding a way to make it really kid friendly. In part this is just me grousing, or having a momentary failure of imagination. But like anyone who writes, I have times when I know what I have to write but I find myself sitting in front of a blank screen watching the curser blink.

On. Off. On. Off.

To be fair to myself, even though I love this parable, it’s about how much people get paid for their work, whether it is an hourly wage or a daily wage. That’s pretty far from the average kid’s consciousness.

My mind does think of some ways to get closer to a kid’s value system. Maybe I could change the context a bit and make cookies the form of payment promised. But will you, my faithful reader, put up with a children’s sermon that plays rather fast and loose with the biblical details?

And then I can hear the child psychologists pointing out those famous experiments where kids at a certain age prove quite unwilling to wait for two cookies later if there’s one cookie offered right now. The deferred gratification involved in working working now for money later is kind of a learned thing.

What to do, what to do. Guess I better just start writing my children’s sermon on Matthew 20:11-16 with a straightforward retelling, and see what happens.

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 20:1-16

Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you in worship today. Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.

Usually I tell you stories about things that Jesus and his friends did. But Jesus also loved to tell his friends stories. Today’s reading from the Gospel is a story that Jesus told. Here’s how I imagine Jesus happened to tell that story.

Thinking about the future

One day Jesus saw his friends Peter, James, John, and Andrew laughing and giving each other high fives.

“Hey guys!” Jesus said. “You sure look happy. What are you talking about?”

“Oh hi, Jesus,” said Peter. “We were talking about life with you in heaven!”

“Interesting,” said Jesus. “That’s what got you so excited?”

“Yeah!” said Peter. “We were saying how great it is that we started following you before anybody else did. So when we get to heaven we’ll get more rewards than anybody!”

All four of them looked at each other with big silly grins. Then they shouted “Cha-ching!” and gave each other another high five.

“Wait a minute you guys,” said Jesus, “that’s not exactly how it— I know: let me tell you a story.”

A farmer and some workers

Once upon a time, there was a farmer. It was harvest time in his apple orchard. He needed lots of workers to pick all his apples.

Early in the morning he went to the town square. People always came to the town square when they were looking for work.

“Hey friends!” said the farmer. “You want a job picking apples?”

“Sure!” said one. “How much you paying?”

The farmer said “Come pick my apples today and I’ll pay you each one hundred dollars.”

And they all went to the farmer’s orchard to pick apples.

More workers

Mid-morning, the farmer saw that he didn’t have nearly enough apple pickers. So he went back to the town square. He found a few more people looking for work.

So the farmer said again, “Hey friends! You want a job picking apples?”

“Sure!” they said, and off they went to the orchard.

The farmer still needed more workers. So at lunch time, and in the afternoon, and at dinner time, back he went to the town square.

Each time the farmer said, “Hey friends! You want a job picking apples?”

“Sure!” they said, and off they went to the orchard.

Payday

Finally it was sundown. The farmer said to all his workers, “Okay it’s time to go home! Thanks for picking my apples! But first I need to give you your pay. Let’s start with those who started working at dinner time.”

When they came up to his table, he gave each of them one hundred dollars.

“Wow!” said one of them. “We only worked for a couple hours! Thanks for being so generous!”

Then the farmer paid the people who came during the afternoon. Then he paid the people who came at lunch time. Then he paid the people who came mid-morning.

Grumbling

Now, the workers who started in the early morning were watching all this. They saw how the people who came at the end of the day got as much money as the farmer had promised them in the early early morning.

So they started to talk to each other. “Hey! If he gave that much to people who just came at the end of the day, I bet he’s going to give us a lot more! We’ve been working all day long!”

Then one of them shouted “Cha-ching!” and they all gave each other high fives. And then it was time for them to collect their pay.

They came up to the farmer’s table, and he counted out the money. “There you are, my friends!” the farmer said. “One hundred dollars for each of you. Thanks for your hard work.”

“Hey, no fair!” said one worker. “That’s the same as you gave everybody else!” said another.

“Yeah–even those guys that just came at the end,” said a third. “You owe us more than that!”

“Do I?” said the farmer. “I paid you exactly what you agreed to. As for the other people, it’s my money. Seems like I can do what I want with my own money. Are you mad at me for being generous?”

Wondering

I wonder how Peter and the others felt when they heard Jesus’ story?

I wonder if in heaven everybody gets exactly the same good things from Jesus?

I wonder if there are other reasons to stay close to Jesus besides rewards in heaven?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

The post A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 20:1-16 appeared first on Gary Neal Hansen.

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Published on September 21, 2023 11:56

September 8, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 18:15-20

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots Game (CC by Laurie Shaull-SA 4.0

Here’s a children’s sermon on Matthew 18:15-20 for Proper 18(23) of lectionary Year A. I’m glad to be back writing for you, though it was also lovely to take August off. Taking that break means I have a few gaps in the series of children’s sermons on the Gospel readings of Year A. I’ll catch up in due time.

(I wrote a regular Monday Meditation on this text a while back. You can see it here.)

Writing children’s sermon on Matthew 18:15-20 brings one of the usual challenges: it’s kind of a text for grown ups. I mean, it’s been used throughout history as a guide to church discipline. If you stop by my site regularly you know that I aim to find one child-friendly thing to focus on in each text. Sometimes that’s a topic. Sometimes that’s a character in the story. This week neither of those options works terribly well.

My solution is an approach I stumbled on long age without really noticing: I create a conversation between Jesus and the disciples and have the disciples act childishly. That’s pretty believable, since the disciples do some pretty childish stuff in the Gospels. Let me know what you think.

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 18:15-20

Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you here in worship today. thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon. I wonder if you’ve ever had conflicts with other kids — like, maybe your brother or your sister, or a friend. I suppose everybody has conflicts at one time or another. In today’s reading from the Gospel, Jesus has some ideas for what to do when we get into conflicts.

About My Brother…

One day Peter was feeling very grumpy. His grumpy feelings showed on his face, too.

Jesus saw him and said, “Hey, Peter, what’s wrong? You look really grumpy.”

“I am grumpy!” said Peter. “I’m really mad at my brother! When I see him, I’m going to smack him a good one.”

“Wow!” said Jesus. “You do sound mad. But honestly, I’m kind of surprised.”

“Why’s that?” grumbled Peter. “Everybody gets angry sometimes.”

“True,” said Jesus. “But I’m surprised you’re so mad at Andrew. I mean, you’re brothers and all. And he always seems so nice, to me.”

“Well sure,” said Peter, “he’s nice to you. But he was really mean to me. I’m gonna pop him, but good.”

While he talked Peter kept punching one fist into the palm of his other hand. *Smack*. *Smack*. *Smack*.

Another Point of View

“You know, Peter,” Jesus said, “I’m wondering what you think will happen if you hit Andrew.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” said Peter. “Maybe he’ll take off and leave! Maybe he’ll be gone for good!”

“But won’t that make you kind of sad?” Jesus asked.

“Sad? No!” said Peter. “I’ll be glad to be rid of him!”

“Hmm…” said Jesus. “But isn’t Andrew also your business partner? Doesn’t he own half of your boat?”

“Yeah…” said Peter.

“And didn’t you guys used to have fun when you were kids?” Asked Jesus.

“Well, yeah…”

“And weren’t your families planning to celebrate the holidays together?”

“Well yeah, but—” said Peter.

“So if you punch Andrew, and he goes away for good…”

“Okay, okay, Jesus,” said Peter. “I get your point. But what else can I do? He makes me so mad!”

A Suggestion

“Here’s an idea,” said Jesus. “Go talk to your brother, in private. Just the two of you. Tell him what happened. Give him your side of the story. Tell him how it made you feel.”

“What good will that do?” asked Peter.

“Well,” said Jesus, “if he listens to you, and says he’s sorry, and promises to change, then you get your brother back. Your business stays together, and you still have holiday plans.”

“And if he doesn’t listen,” said Peter, “then I’ll slug him. Right?”

“Not exactly,” said Jesus. “If he won’t listen to you, go back again, but this time bring a friend. Pick someone both of you like a lot. Maybe John, or James. Tell him your story, and how what he did made you feel. Maybe having someone along to watch and talk with you both can help you win your brother back.”

“But if he still doesn’t listen, then I can pop him one, right?” Asked Peter.

“No, Peter,” said Jesus. “You need to keep trying. If he won’t listen to you and a friend, we’ll have a meeting with all the disciples. The two of you can both tell your stories, and I’ll try to help you work it out. Surely he’ll listen when all of us meet together. But if not…”

“Then I’ll slug him,” said Peter.

If He Really Won’t Listen

“No!” said Jesus. “You do not get to slug your brother. If he won’t listen to all of us, then we’ll all just treat him like a tax collector or someone from another country.”

“Great!” said Peter. “I get it. We’ll shove him out of the meeting and never speak to him again! Whenever we see him we’ll turn our backs on him and walk the other way!”

“Wait a minute, Peter,” said Jesus. “Have you noticed how I treat tax collectors?”

“Oh, what? Right,” said Peter. “Let me think… There’s Matthew, he was a tax collector, and you made him an Apostle, just like me. And there was that other tax collector, Zacchaeus, up in that tree. You were friendly to him when nobody else was.”

“Right,” said Jesus. “And how about foreigners and immigrants? Have you noticed how I treat them?”

“Hmm…” said Peter. “There was that Samaritan woman by the well. You were really nice to her. And there was that Roman Centurion. You healed his servant. And there was that woman from Syrophoenicia. You healed her little boy—or was it a little girl?”

“Doesn’t matter,” said Jesus. “You see the point. I try to be especially kind and generous to immigrants and tax collectors. If Andrew just won’t listen, what should you do?”

“What?!” asked Peter. “You mean if he won’t listen to all of us I still have to be nice to him?”

“That’s right, my friend,” said Jesus. “That’s how it works in the Kingdom of God. But first you have to work hard to help bring him to his senses.”

Wondering

I wonder if Peter was able to work things out with his brother Andrew?

I wonder how it would feel to talk to someone who did a bad thing and ask them to change?

I wonder what it would feel like if someone came to talk to you about a bad thing you did?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

The post A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 18:15-20 appeared first on Gary Neal Hansen.

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Published on September 08, 2023 10:20

July 20, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 — Wheat and Weeds

Wildflowers of Palestine. Tares and Wheat 1900 (public domain)

Prelude for Pastors (and Parents)

My children’s sermon on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 arrives in time for the eighth Sunday after Pentecost. This year that is “Proper 11(16)” in the Revised Common Lectionary. But you don’t need to be a lectionary preacher to use it. It will fit in a sermon series on Matthew, or on the parables, or on the church, or as a bedtime Bible story any old time.

This text is the neglected younger brother of “the Parable of the Sower” which came up last week. It is one of the very rare parables that Jesus explained in detail.

It has a fascinating history, which you can check out in my Monday meditation on this text from a while back.

But that’s not the topic today. Today I’m here to give you a children’s sermon on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

(Oh yeah! Before I begin can I ask a favor? Please click this link to subscribe to my almost-weekly newsletter. It will be a big help in my journey to my next book contract — plus you’ll get every new children’s sermon by email!)

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Good morning kids! I am so glad to see you. Thanks for being here in worship, and thanks especially for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.

Most Sundays I tell you stories about things that Jesus did. But today I’m going to tell you a story that Jesus told to his friends. I imagine it happening something like this.

A Hard Question

One evening, Jesus noticed a couple of his friends having a serious conversation.

“Hey Mary! Hey Peter!” said Jesus. “What are you talking about?”

They looked at each other for a minute. Then Mary spoke up. “I guess we’re kind of sad.”

“Aw,” Jesus said, “that’s too bad. What’s making you so sad?”

“We’re wondering — why are some people so mean?” asked Mary.

“Why don’t some people want to follow your teaching?” said Peter.

“I mean,” Mary said, “I suppose not everybody can come follow you everywhere like we do. But some people are actually trying to stop you.”

“Yeah,” said Peter. “We heard some people saying they want to arrest you.”

“Why, Jesus?” asked Mary. “Why is it that some people try to learn to love God and love people, but other people hear what you say and still do mean things? It just doesn’t make sense.”

“I have an idea!” said Peter. “Maybe you can do something to stop the bad people! Like have God send an army of angels, with flaming swords to swoop down in mighty chariots and—”

“Wait a minute Peter,” said Jesus. “Let me tell you a story. It’s a story about the Kingdom of heaven.”

Good Seed

Once there was a farmer. Early one morning he met with all his workers.

“Good news!” he told them. “My good new seeds just arrived. Today I want you to plant my good new seed in my great big field.”

One of his workers asked, “What kind of seed is it?”

“Wheat!” he told the workers. “We’re going to grow lots and lots al wheat!

“Then we’ll grind it up and make lots and lots of flour!

“Then we’ll bake it into lots and lots of bread.

“And then we can feed lots and lots of people!”

“That sounds great,” said one of the workers. “Can we have some of the bread?”

“Sure!” said the farmer. “There’s going to be lots and lots — enough for everybody!”

So…

Each worker took a sack of the good new seeds. They walked down every row.They planted the good new seeds all through the great big field.Then they went home to their families.

Weed Seed

But that night, a second farmer, a farmer from down the road, called all his own workers in for a meeting.

One of the workers asked “Hey boss, why did you want us to come in at night?”

“Because I want you to do something for me,” said the second farmer. “Something sneaky. Something secret. Something mean.”

“Sounds like fun,” said the worker, rubbing his hands together.

The second farmer said, “You know how much I hate that farmer up the road, right?”

They all nodded. This second farmer said mean things about the first farmer all the time.

“Well,” said the second farmer, “That farmer just planted his whole big field with good new wheat seeds. But I have bags and bags of nasty rotten weed seeds. And you’re going to go over there and plant them in his field!”

And that’s what the second farmer’s workers did.

They each took a sack of nasty rotten weed seeds. They walked down every row of the first farmer’s field.And they planted nasty, rotten weed seeds all through that great big field.Then they snuck back home to their families.

What to Do?

Well, some days passed, and some nights passed.

Some rain fell, and some sun shone.

And little plants started to grow in the first farmer’s great big field.

After spending the day in the fields, the workers came to the door of the first farmer’s house.

The first farmer came outside to talk with them.

“How’s it looking in my great big field?” he asked. “Is my good new seed growing lots and lots of wheat?”

“Well, yes,” said one of the workers. “That’s the good news.”

“Oh oh,” said the farmer. “Sound’s like maybe there’s also some bad news.”

“There are weeds growing in your field too,” said the worker. “Lots and lots of weeds. In every row. Just as many weeds as wheat plants.”

“Oh dear,” said the farmer.

“But we have a plan,” said the worker. “We’re going back to the field tomorrow and we’ll pull up every single weed. Then your good wheat plants can grow big and strong.”

“No,” said the farmer. “I have a better plan. Let the weeds stay in the field. Let the wheat and the weeds grow up together.”

“But why?” asked the workers.

“Because,” said the farmer, “If you pull up the weeds, you’ll hurt my good wheat. You might mistake a wheat plant for a weed and pull it up. Or the roots of the weeds might be tangled with the roots of the wheat. Then if you pulled up weeds, the wheat would come up too. We’ll sort it all out at harvest time.”

And Jesus said, “That’s what the Kingdom of heaven is like.”

Wondering

I wonder if Peter and Mary felt like Jesus’ story answered their question?

I wonder if you’ve ever felt like the bad things people do make life extra hard?

I wonder if it helps to know that God is patient, letting weeds and wheat grow together?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

The post A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 — Wheat and Weeds appeared first on Gary Neal Hansen.

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Published on July 20, 2023 11:22

July 13, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on John 14:15-25

The Last Supper, Jacopo Tintoretto (c. 1592-1594, public domain)

Prelude

Though it is arriving out of sequence, here is my children’s sermon on John 14:15-21. I already posted a children’s sermon on this Sunday’s Gospel text. (You can find it here; And you can find the Monday Meditation on that text here.) So this one is part of my ongoing mop-up of texts I missed both this year and three years ago when I started writing these things.

John 14:15-21 is the Gospel reading for the sixth Sunday of Easter in Year A. It takes place before the resurrection, on Maundy Thursday to be precise. It was back in that Upper Room where Jesus taught so many important things.

I expect that this, and other parts of the “Upper Room Discourses,” are read in Easter season because they make promises and demands that are really for the post-resurrection Church. That is most obviously the case in sections like this one where he is calming their worries over his coming death by promising that he and the Spirit will be with them after Easter.

But of course the text lacks narrative, so in my children’s sermon on John 14:15-21 I’ll have to supply one.

(And if you are looking for the Monday Meditation on this passage, you can find it here.)

A Children’s Sermon on John 14:15-21

Good morning kids! I’m so happy to see you in worship today. Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.

Today’s story about Jesus comes from the night when he had his very last supper with his friends. That’s when he gave them the very special meal, the Lord’s Supper, that we celebrate some Sundays here in our church.

You know: He gave them each a bite of bread and said, “This bread is my very own body.”

Then he gave each one a sip of wine and told them, “This cup is my very own blood.”

Christians all over the world celebrate that special meal to remember Jesus, to be close to him, and to thank him.

But Jesus’ friends were also very worried that night. And as they talked with him after dinner, their conversation went something like this.

Feeling Worried

Peter was almost always first to speak up.

“Jesus,” he said, “You know, all this talk about your body and your blood has me worried.”

“Oh, Peter,” said Jesus gently, “I’m sorry you are worried. It is true, though: some scary things are going to happen.”

“Scary things?” said Peter. “What kind of scary things?”

“It’s what I’ve been telling you all evening,” Jesus said. “Actually I’ve been telling you for a long time. Late tonight I’ll be arrested. Tomorrow I’ll be killed.”

“No way!” said Peter bravely. “We’ll protect you! We won’t let anything bad happen to you!”

“Thanks, Peter, but you can’t stop it,” said Jesus. “In fact, before the night is over all of you will say you don’t even know me.”

“No way!” they all said, “Not me!”

Trying to Comfort Them

“I know it’s scary,” said Jesus. “But it’s also really important. And I want you to know that it’s going to get better. It’s going to be okay. Really.”

Mary was starting to cry. “How can it possibly get better if you’re gone! It’s never going to be okay!”

“No, really,” said Jesus. “It’s hard to explain, but after I die you’re all going to see me alive again.”

“I don’t believe that for a minute.” said Thomas.

“But it’s true,” said Jesus. “Plus I’m going to send you the Holy Spirit.”

“What’s that?” asked Thomas.

“The Holy Spirit is God,” said Jesus, “but right here with you — forever and for always.”

“Well,” said Mary, “that does sound pretty good. But still, it’s never going to be the same!” And she started crying again.

“No,” said Jesus. “Nothing ever is the same. God makes everything different, always.”

How It Works

“So how will we get this Holy Spirit,” asked Peter. “How will we get to where things are okay again?”

“Just love me,” said Jesus. “That’s what matters”

“Oh,” said Peter. “Well, I do love you. In fact, I think I love you more than anybody! I left my fishing boat to follow you.”

“Wait,” said Matthew, “I love him as much as you. I left my tax collecting business to follow you.”

“No, wait!” said Mary. “I love him more! I poured expensive perfume on his feet and wiped them with my own hair!”

“You guys,” said John, “everyone knows I’m the one Jesus really loves. So I love him more than you.”

“Okay, cool it,” said Jesus, “I’m not saying you have to love me more than anybody else. I’m saying you need love that’s real.”

”What’s that mean?” asked Peter. “How are we supposed to know if we really truly love you?”

“Do what I’ve commanded,” said Jesus. “That’s how we’ll both know. If you really love me, you’ll do what I’ve taught you!”

“Wait,” said Peter “We’ve been with you for three years. You’ve taught so many things. What if I forget something?”

“Don’t worry,” said Matthew. “I’ve been taking notes.”

“Me too,” said John.

“Look,” said Jesus. “Just remember the basics. Love God with all your heart. And love the people around you. That’s everything, really.”

Wondering

I wonder how Jesus’ friends got through those next few days, knowing Jesus would die?

I wonder if it helped, knowing they would see Jesus again and have the Holy Spirit?

I wonder if it seems hard or easy that love means doing what Jesus taught us?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

The post A Children’s Sermon on John 14:15-25 appeared first on Gary Neal Hansen.

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Published on July 13, 2023 17:55

July 7, 2023

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

children's sermon on Matthew 6:16-19, 25-30

CC by Kristicak-SA 4.0

Here’s my children’s sermon on Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. As I write, this is the text for next Sunday — “Proper 9(14)” for Year A in the Revised Common Lectionary.

The passage is a bit of a hodgepodge, really. Jesus rants a bit about the contrasting styles of himself and John the Baptist, as well as the people’s general rejection of both. Then there’s a section of grim predictions, which the lectionary leaves out. Then he prays out loud a bit. He concludes with the beautiful, if enigmatic, statement that his way is easy, his burden light.

All hard to access, especially for kids. Also, there’s no story here. Though one can look for a story in the larger context, it is better, I think to create one.

To resolve some if not all the difficulties, my children’s sermon on Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 will focus on the one portion that makes explicit reference to kids. That’s the prayer.

(Oh, by the way: You can find my regular Monday Meditation on this same text here.)

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you. Thanks for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but in the Gospels there are lots of stories where Jesus prays.

Sometimes at the end of a long day, Jesus would climb a hill all by himself. He wanted talk to God for a long time without being interrupted. And when they were about to eat, Jesus would take the bread and pray to ask God’s blessing. Then one time after they ate their dinner, Jesus started to pray out loud and he didn’t stop for a long time.

Well, in today’s story from the Gospel. Jesus was talking to his friends. He’d been talking to them for a while. But then, all of a sudden, he was praying — just talking to God for a bit! Then, pretty soon, he was talking to the people again.

It seems kind of odd to me. Maybe it happened exactly like that. Or maybe some of the things that people said got left out. Maybe it happened sort of like this…

Jesus Needs to Pray

One day, Jesus was sitting around with his friends. Jesus was telling them about all kinds of things. He told them some things about his cousin, John the Baptist. He told them stuff about some different cities he had visited. All kinds of things.

Then Jesus said, “Excuse me, you guys. I need to pray for a minute.”

Then he stood up with his hands raised. He look up to the clouds. He was all quiet and still.

“Um, Jesus?” said Peter. “Weren’t you right in the middle of talking to us? Isn’t it, well, kind of rude to just turn away and talk to God instead?”

“Oh, sorry Peter,” said Jesus, “I didn’t think I was being rude. Actually I’m talking to my Father all the time — even if you don’t know I’m doing it.”

“Really?” said Thomas. “How could that be? I’m sure we would notice. Anyway, what’s so important that you have to talk to God right now, in the middle of talking to us?”

“It’s not extra important, Thomas,” Jesus said. “I talk to my father about everything. You can too!”

“Actually, I can’t,” said Thomas. “My dad never wants to listen to me.”

“Thomas,” said Jesus, “that’s really sad about your dad. But I meant that you can talk to my Father about anything, and at any time. You can always pray. God will always listen. My Father loves you.”

“Jesus?” said Mary Magdalene. “Would you mind praying out loud? I’m really curious to hear how you talk to God.”

“Okay,” said Jesus, “you can listen.”

A Prayer

Then he lifted up his hands, and looked to the clouds again. “Father I’m so glad for how you decided to do things! I think it’s just great that you are hiding all the good stuff from the grown ups, and showing everything to the little children.”

“Now wait a minute, Jesus!” said Peter. “That doesn’t seem fair at all. What do you mean that God is hiding all the good stuff from us grown-ups? We’ve been listening and learning from you for a long time. We understand everything!”

“Well, Peter,” said Jesus, “to be quite honest, a lot of times you don’t seem to understand at all. None of you do.”

(And kids, you know what? That’s very true. When you read the Gospels for yourselves someday you’ll see. Peter and the others always seem a little bit confused.)

What the Children Know

“Well, anyway,” said Peter, “what do the little kids understand that we don’t?”

“You watch, next time we’re around some kids,” said Jesus. “They come close. They want me to bless them. They want to talk and play. It’s all pretty easy for them to see what it’s all about.”

“Um, Jesus?” asked Peter. “What, exactly, is it all about?”

“That’s precisely my point,” said Jesus. “Watch the kids, and they’ll show you. They come to me and they want to know me. They learn about God. I love them and they find out what God is like.”

“We already know you!” said Thomas. “How can we know what God is really like?”

“Here’s the deal, Thomas,” said Jesus. “You think you know me, but only my Father really knows me. And really, only I know my Father. But I can let anybody I choose know my Father.”

“But this seems all hard and complicated,” said Peter.

“It’s actually pretty easy,” said Jesus. “The kids know. They want to stick close to me. They want to learn from me. They want me to bless them so their lives will be full of joy. That’s my way. Doesn’t that sound easy?”

Wondering

I wonder if grown ups really have such a hard time following Jesus’ way?

I wonder if kids really understand Jesus so easily?

I wonder if you want to stick close to Jesus and have his blessing?

++++++++++++

You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.

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Published on July 07, 2023 06:49

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