Feed your enemies
Children's sermon
Object:
an apple, an orange, a loaf of bread, a big pitcher of water, and a glass
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you know someone that you do not like? (let them answer) Don't tell me who it is but I want you to think about that person while I talk to you for a minute. When you think about the person you don't like, does it make you feel good or sad? (let them answer) It makes us feel sad. Maybe it is someone that won't let you play with your friends or his/her toys, or someone who makes fun of you. And when you think about them and what they have done to you it makes you unhappy. Am I right? (let them answer)
What can we do to get over this and to feel better? (let them answer) Some think we should pray about it, while others think it would be better to just forget about them. Prayer is good -- forgetting is not a good idea.
Paul was faced with this a lot because there were many people that did not like him. Wherever he went, there was someone who remembered what he was like when he was a bad guy. Or they were confused because he had changed. Paul talked this over with God and God gave him some very good advice. He told Paul to make friends with his enemies.
How do we make friends with our enemies? (let them answer) First, Paul said that we should love them like they were our family. This means treating them with respect. When they say bad things to you, say kind things to them. This will make them think.
Paul made a great suggestion when he said that we should feed our enemies if they are hungry or give them a drink when they are thirsty. Paul didn't mean that our enemies are really without food, but that they have problems, too. And, as Christians, we should be the first one there to help them. Suppose that their bicycle is broken and they have to walk to the store. You can offer them your bicycle to go to the store instead. If an enemy is short on lunch money, and you have extra, you could help them out. You don't even need to wait to be asked, but instead you can be the first one to help the person that doesn't like you. It will not take long for the enemy to want to make friends with you.
Being a Christian is not just praying, singing hymns, and going to Sunday school. Being a Christian is being a friend and helping people to like you and the God who loves you.
What can we do to get over this and to feel better? (let them answer) Some think we should pray about it, while others think it would be better to just forget about them. Prayer is good -- forgetting is not a good idea.
Paul was faced with this a lot because there were many people that did not like him. Wherever he went, there was someone who remembered what he was like when he was a bad guy. Or they were confused because he had changed. Paul talked this over with God and God gave him some very good advice. He told Paul to make friends with his enemies.
How do we make friends with our enemies? (let them answer) First, Paul said that we should love them like they were our family. This means treating them with respect. When they say bad things to you, say kind things to them. This will make them think.
Paul made a great suggestion when he said that we should feed our enemies if they are hungry or give them a drink when they are thirsty. Paul didn't mean that our enemies are really without food, but that they have problems, too. And, as Christians, we should be the first one there to help them. Suppose that their bicycle is broken and they have to walk to the store. You can offer them your bicycle to go to the store instead. If an enemy is short on lunch money, and you have extra, you could help them out. You don't even need to wait to be asked, but instead you can be the first one to help the person that doesn't like you. It will not take long for the enemy to want to make friends with you.
Being a Christian is not just praying, singing hymns, and going to Sunday school. Being a Christian is being a friend and helping people to like you and the God who loves you.
