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Please choose from the following children's sermons:

• God--Our Super Daddy,  Exodus 14:19-31
  by Rev. Frank Schaefer
   
• Making Up With Your Brothers and Sisters, Mt. 18:21-35
  by Rev. Frank Schaefer

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God--Our Super Daddy
a children's sermon based on Exodus 14:19-31
by Rev. Frank Schaefer
props: none

Who of you has seen the Disney movie "Prince of Egypt?"  Ok, that's exactly the story we have in our bible lesson today.  Who remembers what happened in the story?

Retell the story with the help of the children, by asking questions and filling in the "blanks."

To me one of the greatest things about this story is that God watches over his people.   God protects them.  And sometimes, like in the crossing of the Red Sea God does it in a spectacular way --"Hollywood style."  How would you have liked to see the Red Sea split in front of you by the awesome power of God?

[Additional part for older kids in green]: Well, we may never see the Red Sea split, but we as Christians can experience the awesome power of God too.  Sometimes, God does unusual things to come to the rescue of his people.

A couple of times, I have seen  people recover from a very bad illness--even though doctors didn't give them a good chance--because of prayer and the power of God.  Some people say they have actually seen or heard angels that helped them.  And a lot of people have shared that a stranger, a mystery person popped up out of nowhere to help them and then they kind of disappeared even before they could say thank you to them--strangers sent by God?

You know, God is kind of like a super daddy. That's why God is often called "Father" or "Heavenly Father." Like a dad, God stands up for us and comes to our rescue.  And sometimes, when we're upset or when we're hurting, he picks us up just like a dad would do, gives us a great big bear hug and says: "It's going to be alright, kiddo!"

Do you think we should thank our for being our heavenly Father?  Let us fold our hands and pray. . .

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Making Up With Your Brothers and Sisters
a children's sermon based on "Forgiveness" (Mt. 18:21-35)
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

props: pictures of your brother(s) or sister(s) or cousin(s)

Show the pictures of your brother(s) or sister(s) or cousin(s) and consider sharing a little story of how you made up with them.

Ask the children about their own brothers or sisters: how many, if any do they have?  If they don't have siblings do they have cousin(s)?  Do they always get along with them?  Do they sometimes fight?

Ask the children if they ever feel betrayed or hurt by bothers or sisters?   Did they make up with them? How did that feel? Do they find it easy to forgive them for wronging them?

Conclusion: The thing is that brothers and sisters or even cousins are a gift from God.  They are special.  Friends may come and go during your life time, but you will always have a special bond to your brothers and sisters.  It is important to make up with them.  Even though there are fights and disagreements, love must prevail in every family, including the church family.

Let us give thanks to God every day for our brothers and sisters at home and in the church; and let us ask God to help us forgive them.