Scripture
John 6:24-35
Script
[Props: goldfish or other small crackers, one pack for each child]
Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!
Sammy: Good morning, everyone!
Pastor: Sammy, do you know the story of Moses and the manna in the wilderness?
Sammy: I don’t think so, Pastor. What is the story of the man in the wilderness?
Pastor: Manna, Sammy. Manna is a flat bread.
Sammy: Well, why didn’t you just call it flat bread, Pastor? Why did you call the bread manna?
Pastor: Manna is very special, Sammy. The people of Israel were traveling in the desert to the promised land, and they became hungry.
Sammy: I know what it feels like to be hungry.
Pastor: Me too! Boys and girls, can you share what happens when you feel hungry?
[Allow time for responses]
Sammy: Great answers, everyone! The people of Israel were hungry, so they ate manna.
Pastor: Yes, but the manna was a gift from God. Each morning, when the people woke up, they found the manna on the ground, and they were able to pick it up and eat it. There were some special rules about storing the manna and how much to take.
Sammy: But did it taste good?
Pastor: Yes—the people said it was the best bread they had, but each day they had to eat manna. They didn’t stay full for long.
Sammy: I eat all the time, Pastor. Breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, snack…
Pastor: You eat all the time, Sammy.
Sammy: I am a growing lamb.
Pastor: We need food to grow and to live, but what is really important is what Jesus says about manna in our gospel reading today.
Sammy: Ooo tell us! What did he say?
Pastor: Jesus says that the manna from Heaven came from God. And then he declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Sammy: Wow!
Pastor: I know! Jesus is telling the people that he is God. He gives us food and feeds our spirits. When we believe in Jesus, we believe in God—Jesus says, “I am” which is a declaration of divinity. Moses hears God say, “I am” as well.
Sammy: There are many parallels between the Old Testament and the New Testament here.
Pastor: Yes, there are.
Sammy: Well, Pastor, all this talking is making me hungry. Do you have bread?
Pastor: I did bring a snack for each of you today. [Give goldfish or small crackers to each child] When you eat this snack, I want you to remember that Jesus is the bread of life. Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, Thank you for giving us food for our bodies and souls. Thank you for coming to earth to save us so that we will never be hungry again. We love you. Amen.
Sammy: Bye, everyone!
Pastor: Bye, Sammy!
