We share ourselves
Children's sermon
Object:
A box wrapped as a gift. Inside the box is a note saying,
"I give you myself because I love you." (Signed: your spouse or a
good friend. You will, of course, want to clear this with the
person prior to this object lesson.)
I have a gift with me this morning. It could be a birthday
gift, although it isn't my birthday. Maybe it's a Christmas
present? But Christmas is a long way off. Perhaps it is a gift to
celebrate something, but I have no idea what that might be. We
don't normally give Halloween gifts. Have you any ideas? (Let
them answer.) I really don't know what the gift could be for.
I guess it really doesn't matter what the occasion is. What really matters is what is inside. Do you have any ideas just what could be inside this present? (Let them answer.) Your guess is as good as mine. What do you think I should do? (Let them answer.) You think I should open the present?
I shall open the present, but before I do, let me ask you this: What is the most important gift a person can give to another? (Let them answer.) I believe the most important gift a person can give another is not money or toys or books or clothing. The most important gift, the most meaningful gift, is the person himself or herself.
(Open the gift and read the note.) I got the most important gift -- it is my (spouse/friend). She gives me herself! That is special. She shares her time and attention with me. That means far more to me than anything she might buy or give.
One day the apostle Paul and his friends Silvanus and Timothy wrote to the church at Thessalonica. He told the people at that church that they were coming to give them themselves. That is the most special gift of any gift! Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy surely had great love for those people!
Whenever others give us themselves, we can be fairly sure they do so because they love us. Your parents and grandparents very often give themselves to you by giving their time and attention to you. Your Sunday school teachers, the helpers in your classroom, and your pastor give themselves to you, too.
Dear God: Thank you for the gift of loving people. Amen.
I guess it really doesn't matter what the occasion is. What really matters is what is inside. Do you have any ideas just what could be inside this present? (Let them answer.) Your guess is as good as mine. What do you think I should do? (Let them answer.) You think I should open the present?
I shall open the present, but before I do, let me ask you this: What is the most important gift a person can give to another? (Let them answer.) I believe the most important gift a person can give another is not money or toys or books or clothing. The most important gift, the most meaningful gift, is the person himself or herself.
(Open the gift and read the note.) I got the most important gift -- it is my (spouse/friend). She gives me herself! That is special. She shares her time and attention with me. That means far more to me than anything she might buy or give.
One day the apostle Paul and his friends Silvanus and Timothy wrote to the church at Thessalonica. He told the people at that church that they were coming to give them themselves. That is the most special gift of any gift! Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy surely had great love for those people!
Whenever others give us themselves, we can be fairly sure they do so because they love us. Your parents and grandparents very often give themselves to you by giving their time and attention to you. Your Sunday school teachers, the helpers in your classroom, and your pastor give themselves to you, too.
Dear God: Thank you for the gift of loving people. Amen.
