Faith Formation Journeys

Walking Together in Grace

Author: gb

  • Children Sermon Pentecost 22A Matthew 25:14-30

    Children Sermon Pentecost 22A Matthew 25:14-30

    Scripture: Matthew 25: 14-30

    Faith+Open: Gather the children with you. Have children line up smallest to tallest. Then take the smallest child and the tallest child and put them side by side. Ask the kids, “who do you think can jump the highest? Who do you think can run the fastest? Snap their fingers? Stand on one foot?  Do some experiments and have them try out those things.

    Faith+Share: What about serve God?  (Both!) Yes! In today’s Gospel story, we hear that it doesn’t matter how big or small or if you can do a lot or a little, the important thing is that you use what you are good at to share God’s love! Who can give a smile? A hug? A high five? Help a friend tie a shoe? Read a Bible story? You are each important to God and important to everyone here. When you go back to your seats today give a hug or high five to those that you walk by. 

    Faith+Prayer:  Jesus, we are tall and small, big and little, all different sizes and ages. We are all your children and we praise you for this gift. Amen

    Faith+Blessing: Remember God is with us always.  Make sign of cross together saying:

    God in my head
    God in my heart
    God on my left
    God on my right

    And remember your high fives and hugs on the way back!

    Extension Ideas: 

    1. Read one of the lectionary link stories from Children’s Literature for this week.

    2. Do more experiments of things that kids can do

    3. List many ways kids can serve God. Have a project ready for them to do.

  • Children Sermon All Saints Matthew 5:1-12

    Scripture: Matthew 5: 1-12 (for Proper text Matthew 25 click here)

    Preparation: visual aids of a Bible and a map

    Faith+Open: Gather the children with you. Have you ever been lost? I have! One time I took a wrong turn going home and ended up on the wrong road. I knew that I had to find the right road to get home. I was by myself too so I didn’t have anyone to help me. It was a little scary but I was able to find the right road after looking for a while. I did have a map with me so that I could read it and find the right way to go. (or tell a story of time YOU really were Lost!) Show them the map and say this might have helped you!

    Faith+Share: We heard the word “blessed” a lot in this story this morning (or we will hear when we read the Gospel) and one meaning of that word is “you are on the right road.” (From the Hebrew)  When we follow Jesus we know that we are on the right road. But how can we know that we are on the right road? Or what happens if we don’t know how to follow Jesus? Well, God gave us a kind of map to help us. When we read the Bible we can learn about God and this can help us follow Jesus. And even better God gave us family and friends to be on the journey with us. When we are all together we can help each other follow Jesus. When we pray together, read the Bible together, sing, play, work together, in all of those things we can follow Jesus! 

    Show the Bible during this part of relating it to being a map

    Today we spend time remembering those who have died this year. We do this as a way to remember their life and their walk with God. They are people who we love and we miss and we remember today in the ways that they showed us God and lived following Jesus. (you may want to take time here to hear from the children about anyone or a pet they have lost and invite them to pray for or remember them today in worship through lighting a candle or whatever your ritual may be)

    Faith+Prayer:
    Jesus, you have come so that we can know God and know how to follow you. Help us on our paths each day to see and show your love. Amen

    Faith+Blessing: Remember God is with us always.  Make sign of cross together saying:

    God in my head
    God in my heart
    God on my left
    God on my right

    Extension Ideas: 

    1. Have children share someone or a pet they have lost. Listen to their stories and pray for their remembrances

    2. Including children in a lighting of candles ritual