What it stands for
Children's sermon
Object:
cross jewelry and a small American flag
Today you may find many people wearing jewelry with a cross
on it. (If you are wearing such a cross yourself, point that out
to the children now.) We could say that this is just jewelry and
that it is nice. But we know that the cross is so much more than
just jewelry. It is more than a nice design. The cross is the
very symbol of our faith. We put it in our jewelry, but we also
display it in other places. Where all have you seen a cross?
(Let them answer.) We put the cross on top of our churches, on
the walls, on our Bibles. We can find crosses everywhere! Many
people make the sign of the cross. (Here you could show the
children how to sign themselves. Perhaps a simple sign of the
cross is best.)
Why is the cross so important to us as Christians? (Let them answer.) The cross is important because Jesus died on a cross. It became a sign that means God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to live among people, suffer, and die on a cross.
Schools, courthouses, libraries, the post office, and even many churches have flags. The flag is a sign of our country. People salute the flag and most Americans consider the flag to be very important because it is a sign of what our country stands for. Many soldiers, sailors, and marines followed the flag into battle situations and risked their lives, and many died defending our country. As the flag is important to what our country stands for, the cross is even more important in what we stand for as Christians. (NOTE: Tomorrow is "Citizenship Day" and local custom may employ the flag as part of the observance. If so, tie this in with today's lesson.)
The cross tells us about God and his love for us. It tells us that Jesus cared about us even before we were born. I am so glad we have the sign of the cross. It tells the world what we stand for and how God so loved the world that he gave his only son Jesus to suffer and die so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
Dearest Lord Jesus: You went to the cross to suffer and die for us because you loved us. We hold the cross very dear to us because of what it means. Amen.
Why is the cross so important to us as Christians? (Let them answer.) The cross is important because Jesus died on a cross. It became a sign that means God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to live among people, suffer, and die on a cross.
Schools, courthouses, libraries, the post office, and even many churches have flags. The flag is a sign of our country. People salute the flag and most Americans consider the flag to be very important because it is a sign of what our country stands for. Many soldiers, sailors, and marines followed the flag into battle situations and risked their lives, and many died defending our country. As the flag is important to what our country stands for, the cross is even more important in what we stand for as Christians. (NOTE: Tomorrow is "Citizenship Day" and local custom may employ the flag as part of the observance. If so, tie this in with today's lesson.)
The cross tells us about God and his love for us. It tells us that Jesus cared about us even before we were born. I am so glad we have the sign of the cross. It tells the world what we stand for and how God so loved the world that he gave his only son Jesus to suffer and die so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
Dearest Lord Jesus: You went to the cross to suffer and die for us because you loved us. We hold the cross very dear to us because of what it means. Amen.
