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Is there any way that any of us could make this little bug live again? Can we bring this bug back to life? (Let children comment.) No, this isn’t something anybody on Earth can do. We aren’t stronger than death. In reading the Bible, we learn about two sons who died. One son lived back in the time of Elijah the prophet, and the other lived while Jesus was walking around on Earth. Both of these boys were their mothers’ only children. And both of the mothers were widows—their husbands had died. These mothers and sons had only each other in the world. When their sons died, the mothers had no one left. The pain of losing their only children was causing the mothers’ hearts to break.
Continue reading Stronger than Death
The chrysalis is a little bit like the tomb where Jesus was buried. When Jesus was laid in that tomb and the big stone was rolled in front of the entrance, everyone thought that was the last they’d see of Jesus. No one expected life to come out of that place of death. But after three days, God raised Jesus to new life. A transformed Jesus came out of that tomb, more alive than he had ever been before.
Continue reading Mysterious Transformation
7th Sunday of Easter From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Acts 16:16-34
Preparation: Find or draw a large picture of a jailer standing outside a jail cell with a prisoner inside behind bars.
Can anyone tell me which of these two persons is in prison and which one is free? (Hold up picture so children and congregation can see it. Let child point out the prisoner and the jailer.) That was pretty easy to tell, wasn’t it? Do you think the one who is outside the
Continue reading Freedom for the Jailer
4th Sunday of Easter From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: John 10:25-30 and Ps. 23
Following the Shepherd’s Voice
How many of you answer the telephone in your home? (Let kids raise their hands.) Now, tell me this: how many of you have answered the phone and guessed who was calling, just by his or her voice—before the person on the other end told you who it was? Are you good at recognizing voices? (Let kids respond.) If we hear a voice that we’ve heard
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Second Sunday of Easter From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: John 20:19-31
Preparation: Bring a paper fan (one you’ve purchased or made yourself) and a small whistle.
How many of you have heard the expression, “I’d have to see it to believe it”? Maybe some of you have used that expression yourselves. Let’s say your brother is learning how to skateboard, and one day he comes running in to tell you that he can do an amazing trick on the skateboard. You might say, “I’d have
Continue reading Not Seeing but Believing
3rd Sunday in Lent From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Isa. 55:1-9
Snow Monkeys; photo by Kiyoshi Ookawa
Preparation: Bring brief, favorite Bible verses printed on cards or bookmarks—enough to give one to each child. If possible, also bring a flipchart and marker to jot down kids’ responses.
What do all people and animals need to survive? (Let children share thoughts. If you have a marker and chart, note their answers.) We need food and water. We also need to stay warm. Animals have fur
Continue reading Food for the Soul
2nd Sunday in Lent From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Luke 13:31-35
Preparation: Bring pictures of a fox and/or a hen and baby chicks to illustrate talk.
In today’s Gospel lesson from Luke, we are told that some leaders of the Jewish people (called Pharisees) came to Jesus after he had finished preaching to a crowd of people. They told him, “You’d better get out of here if you want to live, because Herod Antipas wants to kill you.” Herod was the ruler of the
Continue reading The Fox and the Hen
4th Sunday after the Epiphany Adapted from “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: 1 Cor. 13:1-13
Preparation (Optional): Bring a stuffed dog and cat or a picture to illustrate the story.
Would you like to hear a love story? Don’t worry; there’s no kissing in this one. This is a story about an old dog and a little kitten. (If you brought the stuffed animals, use them to help you tell the story.)
Once upon a time, there was an old dog who really knew what it
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Fourth Sunday of Advent From “Scolding the Snakes” Scripture Reference: Luke 1:39-55
Preparation: You may have a song queued up to play at the end of the children’s time.
Today, how many candles are lit on the Advent wreath? (Children may respond.) It’s the fourth Sunday in Advent, isn’t it? It’s almost – almost – time for Christmas! We want to be ready for Christmas and we want to be ready when Jesus comes to earth again.
Is everyone ready? The Gospel lesson for today shows us two
Continue reading Leap for Joy
Pentecost Proper 11 From “Sitting on the Rainbow” Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud Scripture Reference: Mark 6:30-34
The Gospel reading for today talks about sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6 says that when Jesus saw the crowds of people who came to listen to him, he felt sorry for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
You may never have seen sheep without a shepherd, but have any of you ever seen a child without a parent? A lost child is a very sad thing.
Continue reading Sheep on the Lam
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