A baptism and a beginning
Children's sermon
Object:
a bowl and a pitcher of water
Today we hear the story of the day Jesus was baptized. How many of you have been baptized? (show of hands) How many of you haven't? How many aren't sure? Baptism is a wonderful thing that Christians do. Churches all over the world baptize people when they have decided to follow Jesus. Not all churches baptize in the same way, but we all teach the same idea.
(Bring out the bowl and pour the water in it) Water is used to clean things, right? When we take baths we wash off all our dirt. Then we're clean again, almost as if we're brand new again. That's what baptism is. (hold up a scoop of water and let it drip through your fingers) When people are baptized, we ask God to wash them and make them clean. Instead of talking about the dirt that's on the outside, we ask God to clean the dirt that's on the inside of us. We ask him to forgive our sins and help us get rid of anything that makes it hard to see him. We ask him to give us clean hearts so that we can love him fully.
The water is an important symbol. We are covered with the water, cleaned and brought out of the water as a new person. We get a chance to start over and live our lives for God instead of just for ourselves. Some churches sprinkle with water, some pour it on, and some dip people completely in it. Some churches baptize people as babies, but some churches baptize people when they are older. Even though it's done differently in different places, baptism is still important to all Christians. In baptism we are united with Jesus and made members of God's family. We are cleaned, made new again, and sent out to do the work of God -- just like when Jesus was baptized.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the gift of baptism. Help us remember the promise to serve you and keep you first in our lives. Amen.
(Bring out the bowl and pour the water in it) Water is used to clean things, right? When we take baths we wash off all our dirt. Then we're clean again, almost as if we're brand new again. That's what baptism is. (hold up a scoop of water and let it drip through your fingers) When people are baptized, we ask God to wash them and make them clean. Instead of talking about the dirt that's on the outside, we ask God to clean the dirt that's on the inside of us. We ask him to forgive our sins and help us get rid of anything that makes it hard to see him. We ask him to give us clean hearts so that we can love him fully.
The water is an important symbol. We are covered with the water, cleaned and brought out of the water as a new person. We get a chance to start over and live our lives for God instead of just for ourselves. Some churches sprinkle with water, some pour it on, and some dip people completely in it. Some churches baptize people as babies, but some churches baptize people when they are older. Even though it's done differently in different places, baptism is still important to all Christians. In baptism we are united with Jesus and made members of God's family. We are cleaned, made new again, and sent out to do the work of God -- just like when Jesus was baptized.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the gift of baptism. Help us remember the promise to serve you and keep you first in our lives. Amen.
