Truth Tellers
Children's sermon
Object:
Candle and match or flashlight or unique lamp
“It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” (v. 15b)
Good morning children.
Happy eighth Sunday of Pentecost. (explain the naming of the days in the church calendar)
Now today let us play the game “Truth or Lie.” Okay? I will tell you either a truth or a lie. See if you can guess which is a lie and which is a truth. (presenter may dream up a series of fun “truth and lie” statements and challenge the children with them)
How did you do? Which truth or lie did you like and which did you not like?
In the fairy tale Adventures of Pinocchio, the wooden marionette puppet, Pinocchio, tells lies and when he does, what happens to his nose? (children answer -- his nose grows longer and longer and longer)
If you told two or three lies today how long do you think your nose would be?
(children answer)
In the Bible there were men and women who told the truth. They did not tell lies. They are called prophets and prophetesses. John the Baptist was one of them. He told the truth to King Herod. John said, “it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.”
And even though John the Baptist told the truth, King Herod had John killed.
To tell the truth is like putting light into a dark place. (demonstrate with a light)
It can be costly or even dangerous to tell the truth. You could lose a friend by telling the truth. But in the long run it is always better to tell the truth even if the truth hurts.
Remember though, in telling the truth, there is a higher virtue and that is love. When we speak the truth to others we do it in a most loving way.
Can you think of and name any great truth tellers? The apostle Paul was one. Martin Luther, and Martin Luther King Jr. told the truth in difficult situations. And God was with them. The best truth of all to tell is that God loves us even when our noses like Pinocchio's has grown long.
Prayer: Thank you dear Lord for prophets who tell the truth. Amen.
Good morning children.
Happy eighth Sunday of Pentecost. (explain the naming of the days in the church calendar)
Now today let us play the game “Truth or Lie.” Okay? I will tell you either a truth or a lie. See if you can guess which is a lie and which is a truth. (presenter may dream up a series of fun “truth and lie” statements and challenge the children with them)
How did you do? Which truth or lie did you like and which did you not like?
In the fairy tale Adventures of Pinocchio, the wooden marionette puppet, Pinocchio, tells lies and when he does, what happens to his nose? (children answer -- his nose grows longer and longer and longer)
If you told two or three lies today how long do you think your nose would be?
(children answer)
In the Bible there were men and women who told the truth. They did not tell lies. They are called prophets and prophetesses. John the Baptist was one of them. He told the truth to King Herod. John said, “it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.”
And even though John the Baptist told the truth, King Herod had John killed.
To tell the truth is like putting light into a dark place. (demonstrate with a light)
It can be costly or even dangerous to tell the truth. You could lose a friend by telling the truth. But in the long run it is always better to tell the truth even if the truth hurts.
Remember though, in telling the truth, there is a higher virtue and that is love. When we speak the truth to others we do it in a most loving way.
Can you think of and name any great truth tellers? The apostle Paul was one. Martin Luther, and Martin Luther King Jr. told the truth in difficult situations. And God was with them. The best truth of all to tell is that God loves us even when our noses like Pinocchio's has grown long.
Prayer: Thank you dear Lord for prophets who tell the truth. Amen.
