Childrens Sermon Service

Today we read where the apostle Paul says that we should be "imitators of God." What is an "imitator"? (Let them answer.) An imitator is someone who does something like another person. Perhaps we try to walk like another person. We might try to imitate how he brushes his teeth or how she combs her hair. We may imitate the way he or she laughs. There are many ways to imitate other people.

I'm thinking of a game that uses imitation. Can you tell me what that game is? (Let them answer.) The game is "Simon says." Shall we play it? (Let them answer.) Let's do it. I'll be the leader and you imitate me whenever I say "Simon says...."

(When you have played the game some, stop and have the children sit down.) We know what it is like to imitate a person like me, but how do we imitate God? (Let them answer.) We imitate God by loving one another. God is love and whenever we do loving things we imitate God. Whenever we do hurtful things we do not imitate God.

Let's stop now and think of some things we can do that show we love other people and, in doing so, imitate God. (Here explore with your children how they can perform loving acts to others.) We can help hold the door for a person who may not be able to hold it open. We can smile and be friendly to people we see. We can say "hello" and wave to people we know. We can obey our parents and do the chores they tell us to do around the house. There are many, many ways we can imitate God by doing loving acts.

But most of us will not do loving acts all the time. When we fail and do things that are not loving, God is there to forgive us and love us into doing loving acts again. I'm glad that God is that way, aren't you?

Dear God: Thank you for showing us how to love one another. Thank you for forgiving us when we do unloving acts. Amen.