Scripture Focus: James 2:1-17
Prepare: Find a partner to help you. You will need someone who knows what you doing so that they can play the part! Have them gather with all the children at the beginning of the children’s sermon
Faith+Open: As you gather the children, pick your helper out of the crowd and say, “Oh, I didn’t know you were here. Hmmm . . . could you go sit way over there? I want to make sure that the children get all the good seats.” Then ask the children if they can all see and hear you. Indicate your helper and say, “It doesn’t really matter if they can see, you are the important people here.” Ham this part up, make it fun so that children understand that it’s a game.
Faith+Share: What do you think? Was I being a good neighbor to our friend?
One of the readings today is part of a letter from a man named James. In the part we heard he is talking about how we treat each other. He says a bunch of things that are hard for us to do! He says that we shouldn’t treat people differently because they are rich or poor, or powerful or weak. We shouldn’t give someone special treatment because they have a bunch of neat stuff, or because they are super cool. We should treat everyone with love and respect. He even repeats what Jesus said, that we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Then he says that we have more neighbors than we think we do! Some are rich, or cool, or have neat things, and some are not rich, or not cool, but we need to love them all the same. Just like God loves us!
Now, what about our friend over there? Should we let them come sit with us? Yes! Come over here and we’ll all pray together.
Faith+Prayer: Loving God, teach us to be loving to all our neighbors, the ones who are cool, and the ones who are not so cool. Help us to love each other just like you love us. Amen.
Faith+Blessing: May your eyes and ears be opened to see all the amazing works of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
~GB
Adapted from a children’s sermon by Pastor Paul Judson.
Permission to use for nonprofit. When printing give credit to Faith Formation Journeys. Intellectual property rights apply.