WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT?

September 5, 2010

Luke 14:25-33

Props: The story, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig, Simon & Schuster, Children’s Publishing Division, 1969 & 1997. It is also part of the story collection, The 20th Century Children’s Book Treasury, selected by Janet Schulman, Alfred A. Knopf pub-lisher, 1998. The story is a bit long, so suggestions are given below to shorten it. This is a story of a donkey whose wishes came true, but soon these wishes got him into trouble. He is rescued and discovers what is really most important in life. The story of King Midas or another tale of wishes being granted would also fit this theme, or you might use a personal story of a time you thought you must have something and it turned out to not be as great as you thought it would be.

I am going to read a story to you today about a donkey named Sylvester Duncan. Sylvester learned a good lesson. Listen carefully so after the story is over you can tell me what this lesson was. (Begin reading the story to the children until you get to the paragraph which ends: “The chance was one in a billion at best.” Be sure to show the children the illustrations as you go along.)

(Summarize the next few pages: When Sylvester didn’t return home, his parents began to worry. The police, dogs, and Mr. and Mrs Duncan searched everywhere for Sylvester. They knew something bad had happened to him and they were very sad. Time went on, the seasons changed, but still no Sylvester. When spring came the Duncan’s decided to try to be happy even though Sylvester was no longer with them. They went to Strawberry Hill to have a picnic and sat down by the very rock that was really Sylvester. He tried to call out to them, but rocks can’t talk.)

(Start reading again at the paragraph which begins: “Mr. Duncan walked aimlessly about . . .” and read to the end of the story.)

What was the lesson Sylvester learned? (Time to get their ideas. Summarize them.) Sylvester thought having everything he wanted was what was important, but he discovered being with people he loved and who loved him was the most important of all. When Syl-vester thought mostly about himself it got him into trouble. Life is not about having more and more things; life is about people caring about one another. We may think having a new bike or the newest Barbie doll will make us happy, but that kind of happiness doesn’t last. The happiness of love lasts forever.

The activities in today’s Children’s Worship Bulletin will help you think more about choosing to do the things that spread love in the world.

Let’s pray: Thank you, loving God, for surrounding us with people who love us and for giving us chances to love others. Help us to see that having things will not give us lasting happiness. Show us how to live our lives in loving, giving ways. We pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

THE LOST SHEEP

September 12, 2010

Luke 15:1-10

Props: Story of the lost sheep from a children’s Bible story book.

Today’s story is about a lost sheep. I am sure many of you have heard this story before. Jesus used it to help people understand some-thing about God. When the story is done, let’s see if you can tell me what Jesus wanted his listeners to know about God. (Read the story to them.)

What did Jesus want his listeners to know about God? (Time to share ideas. Summarize their answers before moving on.) Who is im-portant to God? (Everyone and everything) Are we important to God? (Very important) Name a child in the group and ask:“Are you important to God?” (Do this two or three times to make your point.) Yes, everyone is important to God. Each one of us! No one is left out; God loves us all!

When the one sheep was lost, what did the shepherd do? (Looked for it and brought it back.) The shepherd made sure the other sheep were safe while he looked for the lost one. That tells us he did not love the lost one better than any of the other sheep. Sometimes we are like that little lost sheep and we get lost from our shepherd, God. We run away from God every time we do some-thing we shouldn’t do. We call this sin. We sin when we lie or are mean. What are some other ways we sin? (Time to share ideas. Summarize their answers before moving on.) Whenever we sin, or move away from God, God comes looking for us. God worries about us just as our parents or friends worry about us when we behave badly. Our parents and friends love us and so does God. God wants us to come back, to be sorry we did wrong, and to discover how we can stop doing the things which are wrong to do. God will always forgive us and will help us to be better people.

Today’s Children’s Worship Bulletin has many activities to help us think about staying close to God and living as God’s children. The back page has space for drawing faces showing how we look when we forgive each other.

Let’s pray: Thank you, God, for loving us no matter what we do and for helping us show love to one another. Forgive us when we are not loving. Help us to be close to you again. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.