God-given Talent
Children's sermon
THE BIG INFLUENCE OF SMALL THINGS
Exegetical Aim: Talents and gifts are from God and are to be used in service to the church.
Props: An item that represents a skill or talent; e.g., a paintbrush or guitar.
Lesson: Good morning. I have a question. What if God gave me something and told me to use it and I hid it away and never used it? (response) Why would I be in trouble? (response)
Well, God has given me something. You know what he gave me? (response) He gave me the ability to play the guitar. Play a short segment of music or show something you've drawn. If something can be drawn quickly, let the children watch you work. Look up there at the choir. What skills and talents do you think he gave to the choir members? (response) What would happen if the choir members took their singing ability and never used it again? (response) How do you think God would feel about that? (response)
Now, let me ask you. What skill or talent has God given to you? What are you good at? (response)
Application: Jesus told a story about three people who were given talents. The first one was given a whole lot of talent and he used it and God was very happy with him. The next person was given some other talents and the man used those talents. God was very pleased with him. But, the third guy took his talent and he buried it. He never used it. What did God say to him? (response) God said he would take that talent from that man and give it to someone else who would use it. God is very serious about the gifts he has given us. He wants me and he wants you to use them within the church so that others might be helped or encouraged by their use.
Single out as many of the children and their talents as you can remember. So you use your gift of name the gift and you use your gift of name the gift and I will use my guitar talent and the choir will use their singing talent and we all will be the church God desires.
Let's Pray: Lord, there are so many talents represented here in these children - some yet undiscovered. I pray the Holy Spirit will help each of them to discover that talent and use it - use it for the building up and encouragement of your saints. Amen.
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Proper 28
1 Thessalonians 5:1--11
What Time Is It?
Exegetical Aim: Christ will come again.
Props: A wall clock with movable hands.
Lesson: Does anyone know what time it is right now? (response) Glance at your watch and announce the time. How did I know the time? (response) You caught me! I did look at my watch. Look what I've brought today. Hold up the wall clock. What's this? (response) Maybe all of you do not know yet how to tell time. So I'll quickly explain. Briefly describe the hands and the numbers on the face of the clock.
For each of the following responses, turn the hands of the clock to the appropriate time. What time do you get up in the morning? (response) What time do you eat lunch? (response) What time does church get out? (response) Some people tell me it seems like it's ... Move the clock slowly to 1:30. Let's see, what time do you eat supper? (response) What time do you go to bed? (response)
Now here's the big question. Jesus told his disciples that one day he would come again and bring his kingdom to earth. The question is: What time will Jesus come again? (response)
Application: The Bible tells us that one day Jesus will return, but it reminds us that no one knows what time that is. It could be 3:00; it could be 5:00; it could be 6:18. No one knows. Even though we are not told what time hold up the clock, we are told what to do. I think what God is telling us is: Don't watch the clock; watch our behavior. What does that mean? (response) How do you suppose he will want to find us acting? Hatefully or lovingly? (response) Hurting others or helping others? (response) Speaking badly about someone or encouraging them? (response) That's right. It doesn't matter what time it is. It is always time for us to act in a Christian way.
Let's Pray: O Lord, there is time enough for us to live lives worthy of your love. Until he comes again, help us always to act as Jesus would have us act. Amen.
?
Props: An item that represents a skill or talent; e.g., a paintbrush or guitar.
Lesson: Good morning. I have a question. What if God gave me something and told me to use it and I hid it away and never used it? (response) Why would I be in trouble? (response)
Well, God has given me something. You know what he gave me? (response) He gave me the ability to play the guitar. Play a short segment of music or show something you've drawn. If something can be drawn quickly, let the children watch you work. Look up there at the choir. What skills and talents do you think he gave to the choir members? (response) What would happen if the choir members took their singing ability and never used it again? (response) How do you think God would feel about that? (response)
Now, let me ask you. What skill or talent has God given to you? What are you good at? (response)
Application: Jesus told a story about three people who were given talents. The first one was given a whole lot of talent and he used it and God was very happy with him. The next person was given some other talents and the man used those talents. God was very pleased with him. But, the third guy took his talent and he buried it. He never used it. What did God say to him? (response) God said he would take that talent from that man and give it to someone else who would use it. God is very serious about the gifts he has given us. He wants me and he wants you to use them within the church so that others might be helped or encouraged by their use.
Single out as many of the children and their talents as you can remember. So you use your gift of name the gift and you use your gift of name the gift and I will use my guitar talent and the choir will use their singing talent and we all will be the church God desires.
Let's Pray: Lord, there are so many talents represented here in these children - some yet undiscovered. I pray the Holy Spirit will help each of them to discover that talent and use it - use it for the building up and encouragement of your saints. Amen.
?
Proper 28
1 Thessalonians 5:1--11
What Time Is It?
Exegetical Aim: Christ will come again.
Props: A wall clock with movable hands.
Lesson: Does anyone know what time it is right now? (response) Glance at your watch and announce the time. How did I know the time? (response) You caught me! I did look at my watch. Look what I've brought today. Hold up the wall clock. What's this? (response) Maybe all of you do not know yet how to tell time. So I'll quickly explain. Briefly describe the hands and the numbers on the face of the clock.
For each of the following responses, turn the hands of the clock to the appropriate time. What time do you get up in the morning? (response) What time do you eat lunch? (response) What time does church get out? (response) Some people tell me it seems like it's ... Move the clock slowly to 1:30. Let's see, what time do you eat supper? (response) What time do you go to bed? (response)
Now here's the big question. Jesus told his disciples that one day he would come again and bring his kingdom to earth. The question is: What time will Jesus come again? (response)
Application: The Bible tells us that one day Jesus will return, but it reminds us that no one knows what time that is. It could be 3:00; it could be 5:00; it could be 6:18. No one knows. Even though we are not told what time hold up the clock, we are told what to do. I think what God is telling us is: Don't watch the clock; watch our behavior. What does that mean? (response) How do you suppose he will want to find us acting? Hatefully or lovingly? (response) Hurting others or helping others? (response) Speaking badly about someone or encouraging them? (response) That's right. It doesn't matter what time it is. It is always time for us to act in a Christian way.
Let's Pray: O Lord, there is time enough for us to live lives worthy of your love. Until he comes again, help us always to act as Jesus would have us act. Amen.
?
