Light living
Children's sermon
Object:
Have someone positioned to turn off the lights in the
sanctuary or room where you are meeting. Arrange for a signal so
they will know when to turn the lights off and back on.
This morning I heard a rumor that the lights are tired of
shining on us. They say, "We sit here nice and cool and then
people come along and turn us on. Why? What do we get out of it?
What purpose does it serve?" So this morning I heard that the
lights are going to stop shining on us. (At this point have the
lights turned off.)
I guess that rumor is true. The lights have decided not to shine! What do you think about that? (Let them answer.) I think they ought to shine. That's why we put them up there in that light fixture. We bought them so that they would work when we want them to work. And now they have decided that since they don't get anything out of working, they are going to remain dark. I think those dark lights are like us human beings when we decide to be selfish. When we think that all we want is what we want and don't care what others might want, then we become like those darkened lights.
(Have the lights come back on.) I guess the lights have decided it's not wise for them to remain dark. They were made to shine. They were made to give light to us. That's why they are there. We also are made to live and work and play with other people. Paul said, "We do not live to ourselves." Selfishness is like a light that doesn't shine. We live to serve God and other people. That's what it means to be a Christian.
Think of it: Many people had to do a lot to make it possible for us to be here today and share this story. First of all, some people had to come up with the money to build this building. Then workers had to be found to actually build it. Electricians had to put in electrical wires so that we can have lights. Someone had to climb up there and install a light fixture. Someone had to buy light bulbs and then get up there and put them in the light fixtures. This morning we have an organist, a choir, a Sunday school program with teachers and administrators, and workers. Our custodian had to unlock the doors and get this place ready for us. Paul was right: We don't live to ourselves!
Dear Jesus: Thank you for making us for yourself and others. Help us let our light shine brightly. Amen.
I guess that rumor is true. The lights have decided not to shine! What do you think about that? (Let them answer.) I think they ought to shine. That's why we put them up there in that light fixture. We bought them so that they would work when we want them to work. And now they have decided that since they don't get anything out of working, they are going to remain dark. I think those dark lights are like us human beings when we decide to be selfish. When we think that all we want is what we want and don't care what others might want, then we become like those darkened lights.
(Have the lights come back on.) I guess the lights have decided it's not wise for them to remain dark. They were made to shine. They were made to give light to us. That's why they are there. We also are made to live and work and play with other people. Paul said, "We do not live to ourselves." Selfishness is like a light that doesn't shine. We live to serve God and other people. That's what it means to be a Christian.
Think of it: Many people had to do a lot to make it possible for us to be here today and share this story. First of all, some people had to come up with the money to build this building. Then workers had to be found to actually build it. Electricians had to put in electrical wires so that we can have lights. Someone had to climb up there and install a light fixture. Someone had to buy light bulbs and then get up there and put them in the light fixtures. This morning we have an organist, a choir, a Sunday school program with teachers and administrators, and workers. Our custodian had to unlock the doors and get this place ready for us. Paul was right: We don't live to ourselves!
Dear Jesus: Thank you for making us for yourself and others. Help us let our light shine brightly. Amen.
