Children’s Sermon September 22, 2024/ Eighteenth Sunday of Pentecost/ Lectionary Year B

Scripture

Mark 9:30-37

Props: Egg Carton, labeled plastic eggs with disciple names

Script

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! I have a question: which one of the disciples is the most important? Jesus never answered the question? Can you all pick out the most important disciple from the boat?

[Give the eggs and egg carton to the children]

Pastor: This task is difficult. What do you think, Sammy?

Sammy: Pastor, Jesus was talking about children in the Gospel of Mark today! I heard him! May the answer is to think about the children!

Pastor: Yes, Sammy. Jesus took a little child in his arms and he said, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Sammy: Oooo! What does that mean?

Pastor: Well, I want to see what the boys and girls think. Why do you think Jesus says this about children? Why is it important to love and welcome children? 

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Jesus was teaching his disciples that they need to serve one another in love. Children need so much from their families when they are babies and toddlers. They need a lot of help to eat and play. Parents have to constantly serve their children when they are little. Jesus wants us to serve each other, too.

Sammy: I like that. We need to serve one another in love.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy!

Sammy: I love that Jesus refocuses us and his disciples on welcoming and loving children. And since we are all God’s children, that means we need to treat each other with love.

Pastor: That’s hard to do sometimes, isn’t it?
Sammy: Yes, I think so. But with Jesus’s help, we can do all things.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. Let’s pray: Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for calling us to serve each other in love. Help us to love others as you first loved us. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!