The Last Is First
Children's sermon
The Giant Book Of Children's Sermons
Matthew To Revelation
Object: a circle of children holding hands
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to be objects of the sermon. Usually we bring something from home or something that we use around the church, but today we are going to use you to teach us what Jesus taught his disciples.
I need a volunteer, someone who would like to be first. (select the first person that raises his/her hand) You are my first choice. Do you like being first? (let him or her answer) That is very good. We need leaders and people who will take the risk and be first. I want you to stand here and hold out both of your arms from your sides. The reason for you standing in that position is because I am going to select another volunteer to join and stand on your right side. (select another child) Do you like being second if you cannot be first? (let the child answer) It is good to have someone who is willing to follow the person who goes first. It means that you know how to cooperate very well. I want you, the second person, to hold out both of your arms and take hold of the first person's right hand with your left hand. Now we have someone who was first and someone who was second. (continue to select people and have each one take the right hand of the previous person until you have only one child left)
Now we have used everyone except the last person. Do you feel lonely? (let him/her answer) How does it feel to see everyone up there holding hands? It is a very straight line that we have at this point, and I think that they look nice together, don't you? (let them answer) You are the last one to be used, but in a moment you are going to be the very first one to make something happen. What do you think I am going to use you for? (let him or her answer) You don't know?
See what you think of this. All of the other people were told to stand beside someone and hold one of the hands of each person. You are the last one and I am going to ask you to hold the hands of two people. You are the last one chosen but you are the first to complete a circle. (take the child up and have him or her form the circle) This means that the last person used becomes the first person in the circle. You are the last and the first, and the first person that we asked becomes the last person to make the circle.
Actually we are all the same. Jesus taught us a long time ago that it doesn't make any difference when we come to be a part of his group. We will all be treated the same. Some people are afraid that if they are not first with Jesus they will be shortchanged. But Jesus said that this is not the way with God. No matter when we are chosen, if we are first or last, we will all be the same in God's world. Living with God is like being in a circle, the first is last and the last is first.
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to be objects of the sermon. Usually we bring something from home or something that we use around the church, but today we are going to use you to teach us what Jesus taught his disciples.
I need a volunteer, someone who would like to be first. (select the first person that raises his/her hand) You are my first choice. Do you like being first? (let him or her answer) That is very good. We need leaders and people who will take the risk and be first. I want you to stand here and hold out both of your arms from your sides. The reason for you standing in that position is because I am going to select another volunteer to join and stand on your right side. (select another child) Do you like being second if you cannot be first? (let the child answer) It is good to have someone who is willing to follow the person who goes first. It means that you know how to cooperate very well. I want you, the second person, to hold out both of your arms and take hold of the first person's right hand with your left hand. Now we have someone who was first and someone who was second. (continue to select people and have each one take the right hand of the previous person until you have only one child left)
Now we have used everyone except the last person. Do you feel lonely? (let him/her answer) How does it feel to see everyone up there holding hands? It is a very straight line that we have at this point, and I think that they look nice together, don't you? (let them answer) You are the last one to be used, but in a moment you are going to be the very first one to make something happen. What do you think I am going to use you for? (let him or her answer) You don't know?
See what you think of this. All of the other people were told to stand beside someone and hold one of the hands of each person. You are the last one and I am going to ask you to hold the hands of two people. You are the last one chosen but you are the first to complete a circle. (take the child up and have him or her form the circle) This means that the last person used becomes the first person in the circle. You are the last and the first, and the first person that we asked becomes the last person to make the circle.
Actually we are all the same. Jesus taught us a long time ago that it doesn't make any difference when we come to be a part of his group. We will all be treated the same. Some people are afraid that if they are not first with Jesus they will be shortchanged. But Jesus said that this is not the way with God. No matter when we are chosen, if we are first or last, we will all be the same in God's world. Living with God is like being in a circle, the first is last and the last is first.
