___________________________________________________

Choose from the following Children's Sermons:

• The "M" Word, Mark 10:17-31
  by Rev. Randy Quinn

• "You're Accepted Here" Mark 10:17-31
  by Rev. Frank Schaefer

___________________________________________________
 

The "M" Word
a children's sermon based on Mark 10:17-31
by Rev. Randy Quinn

props: needle and thread, camel from nativity set

I have a needle and a thread here. Do you know what these are for? (They are for sewing.) Can you put the thread in the needle? (Let them try it. I suspect the younger ones will not be able to thread it.)

It’s hard, isn’t it? But it can be done. That’s because the thread is smaller than the hole in the needle. But what if the thread was bigger? (We’d need a bigger needle.)

This is a camel from one of our Nativity sets at home. Do you think it will fit in the hole? (Of course not.)

Why not? (Because it’s too big.)

What if it was a bigger needle? (It still wouldn’t fit – unless the needle was too big to carry!)

What if the camel was a real camel? (No way! I suspect the kids may be a little animated by now.)

Jesus said it would be easier to put a real camel through the eye of a needle than for most of us to get into heaven. Sounds tough to get in to heaven, doesn’t it?

But Jesus also said that God can do the impossible. We may not think a camel can go through the eye of a needle, but God can make it happen.

And I’m glad of that, because that means God can make room for you and for me to be in heaven, too.

Let’s pray.

God help us to trust you to do impossible things. Help us to know that we are welcome in your presence, not because of something we did or can do but because of the miracle of your love. Amen.

 

---

 

"You're Accepted Here"
 children's sermon based on Mark 10:17-31
by Rev. Frank Schaefer

props:  a rope; a Christ child figure from a manger scene (or possibly another Christian symbol portraying a child)

Before inviting the children up, place a rope strategically so that children will have to step over it to get to the front. Stand in front of the rope, blocking the way to the front.
I'd like to invite all children to come and join me on the altar steps.  (While children come up stop them before they cross the rope on the ground) 

The thing is, today I have to inspect you before I can let you to the front (inspect every child, turn some around, look behind their ears, etc.  With every child that you let pass say: "yes" or "acceptable" or "o.k." or "all right"  AND "you may pass".  When they all crossed the line and sat down, join up with them):

Good morning boys and girls.  How did it feel when I inspected you before I let you pass?  Were you afraid that you might not be allowed to pass?  Was it an uncomfortable feeling to be inspected?  Were you happy when I told you you could pass?

What do you think I was inspecting you for?  What was I looking for? (Let them guess)  The truth is I wasn't looking for anything.  I just wanted to make a point about "acceptance."  Did you ever go some place where they didn't let you in? What did that feel like?  Did you ever feel that you weren't welcome in a group of people? Maybe in school?  Maybe when some kids had a club and didn't want to let anybody else in?

Is it a good or a bad feeling not to be accepted somewhere?  That's right, it is a bad feeling not to be accepted.  What do you think, does the church accept you?   I would certainly hope that the church accepts anybody, big or small, because the bible tells us that God accepts all people of all ages, genders, and races.

Our bible lesson this morning is all about being accepted by God; a rich young man asked Jesus: what must I do to get to heaven?"  And Jesus said: you must keep the 10 commandments"  And the man said: "I've kept all of them since I was a child."  Then Jesus said: "you must give up everything you own and give it to the poor." 

What do you think the young man answered?  Did he say: "Yes, I'll give all my money to the poor." (nod your head slightly to encourage a No answer).  That's right, the young man was not willing to give up his riches, and he couldn't answer Jesus and turned around and walked away."

How do you think Jesus felt about that?  Jesus was very, very . . . . sad.   Now, notice that Jesus did not send the young man away.  He walked away.   Jesus would have still accepted him.  God never sends anybody away.  The man could have said: "Jesus, help me change."  I'm sure Jesus would have been happy about that.

Is any of you a rich person?  No?  I didn't think so. In a sense, it it easier to follow Jesus if you don't have many possessions.  That's probably why Jesus once said that believers need to become like children.  But as you grow older, I want you to remember to always be willing to give up everything for God.  Everything that God has given us in this life, still belongs to God.  God is just lending us the possessions we have.  If you keep that in mind, you will be all right.

But the most important thing I want you to remember this morning is that God doesn't send anyone away.  God is always ready to welcome and accept us.  No matter what.  And that is an awesome thing.  Let's pray:

Prayer
Thank you God, for welcoming into your church all of us, big or small, no matter what we look like or where we live.  Your arms are always open for us, and even if we turn away from you, we still find you waiting for us, ready to welcome us back.  Thank you for your love for each of these children, and for the love of your big children too.   Amen.