Faith Formation Journeys

Walking Together in Grace

Tag: Matthew

  • 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

  • Children Sermon Pentecost 21A Matthew 25:1-13

    Scripture: Matthew 25: 1-13 (for All Saints text click here)

    Preparation: another adult or youth to participate

    Faith+Open: Gather the children with you. Welcome them and have your volunteer adult enter walking up either with or after the children. Have the volunteer plop down and look bored.

    Faith+Share: 
    Dialogue follows:
    Leader: “Hey____ what’s wrong? What are you doing?”
    2nd person: “I’m waiting”
    Leader: “What are you waiting for?”
    2nd Person: “Jesus. Isn’t that what our story is about?”
    Leader: “Well, kind of.  Jesus says that he will come back one day but we don’t know when so it could be a long time from now. But we know that God is with us always now. You know, when I have to wait I like to do something to pass the time. It makes the time that I am waiting seem productive.”
    2nd Person: “Like what?”
    Leader: “Well, Jesus says that we will have to wait for him to come back but we should be sure to tell other people about him and help people while we wait.”
    2nd Person:  “Oh. That’s a good idea, it’s better than just sitting here and doing nothing. Very boring.” Leader: “Right! We shouldn’t be bored so God has things for us to do while we wait. Let’s see what could we do while we wait for Jesus?”
    2nd person: Name some missions and ministries of your congregation. Ask the children what they could do while they wait for Jesus. “Jesus loves us very much and wants us to share that love! What a fun thing to do while we wait!”

    Faith+Prayer:
    God we wait for you and we also live for you. Teach us to see you today in our world and to reach out to those who need to know 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. Do a service project like making cards for those who have lost loved ones this year.
    2. Read one of the stories from Children’s Literature for November 6