Clean the Mess At the Source
Children's sermon
As Jesus raises the bar on what is considered sinful the foundation of his message is to go to the source of sin. We can spend all our time putting out the fires, or cleaning up the mess of sin. When we find the source, our brother or sister, or our own thoughts and words, then we make real progress against the pain of sin.
For this lesson you will make little messes and ask the kids to clean them up. You may have a clever kid who realizes taking away the mess source will be faster. That will be your in to show how Jesus wants us to handle sin. You may have to guide them to the “eureka moment” yourself.
To make the mess I suggest getting a box of Kleenex and throwing the tissue around as you talk. You can use another source of mess making too, be creative! It should be easily picked up or cleaned (water gun and give the kids paper towel).
Say something like:
I have a task for you (start to throw the tissue around the children’s area) I want you to collect and pick up this mess. (if they need motivation, challenge them by saying “who can pick up the most tissues”) (Keep throwing the tissue around and let the kids run around cleaning it up for a minute) (If a child tries to take the box from you let them. If someone comes to you and asks you to stop politely, say sorry and stop. Then gather the kids back in their seats)
(If no one stops you say) Was that fun? Maybe this little demonstration was but when the mess gets bigger it becomes less fun.
(If someone does stop you) That was a great response to the problem! You could have spent all your time picking up the mess, but you went right to the source, me!
The Bible talks a lot about the mess sin causes in our lives and in our world. When we sin, like lying or being mean to someone, it hurts people’s feelings and breaks our relationships with other people. Sin is a big problem, which is why Jesus comes to help us with that problem.
When Jesus taught, he showed us that we can spend our time cleaning up the mess sin makes OR we can stop it at its source. What would have happened if one of you took the box of Kleenex away from me? Or if you asked me to please stop? I would have stopped making a mess. You would have stopped the mess at its source, me.
Jesus says if there is something we did wrong we need to talk to the people we have hurt and apologize. Jesus also says if we notice our thoughts are mean or the words we use are hurting people we need to make a change. Sin needs to be stopped at its source, and sometimes that source is us.
Let’s pray for help changing into more loving people.
Loving God, we are sorry for the sins we have done. We want to be more loving this week. Help us love more. Amen.
For this lesson you will make little messes and ask the kids to clean them up. You may have a clever kid who realizes taking away the mess source will be faster. That will be your in to show how Jesus wants us to handle sin. You may have to guide them to the “eureka moment” yourself.
To make the mess I suggest getting a box of Kleenex and throwing the tissue around as you talk. You can use another source of mess making too, be creative! It should be easily picked up or cleaned (water gun and give the kids paper towel).
Say something like:
I have a task for you (start to throw the tissue around the children’s area) I want you to collect and pick up this mess. (if they need motivation, challenge them by saying “who can pick up the most tissues”) (Keep throwing the tissue around and let the kids run around cleaning it up for a minute) (If a child tries to take the box from you let them. If someone comes to you and asks you to stop politely, say sorry and stop. Then gather the kids back in their seats)
(If no one stops you say) Was that fun? Maybe this little demonstration was but when the mess gets bigger it becomes less fun.
(If someone does stop you) That was a great response to the problem! You could have spent all your time picking up the mess, but you went right to the source, me!
The Bible talks a lot about the mess sin causes in our lives and in our world. When we sin, like lying or being mean to someone, it hurts people’s feelings and breaks our relationships with other people. Sin is a big problem, which is why Jesus comes to help us with that problem.
When Jesus taught, he showed us that we can spend our time cleaning up the mess sin makes OR we can stop it at its source. What would have happened if one of you took the box of Kleenex away from me? Or if you asked me to please stop? I would have stopped making a mess. You would have stopped the mess at its source, me.
Jesus says if there is something we did wrong we need to talk to the people we have hurt and apologize. Jesus also says if we notice our thoughts are mean or the words we use are hurting people we need to make a change. Sin needs to be stopped at its source, and sometimes that source is us.
Let’s pray for help changing into more loving people.
Loving God, we are sorry for the sins we have done. We want to be more loving this week. Help us love more. Amen.
