Workers Needed

For the Sunday Before Labor Day

From Barefoot in the Snow

Artwork by Elsa Ingulsrud

Scripture Reference:  Matt. 9:37-38

Preparation: Bring items that workers in various professions might carry; for example, a doctor’s bag or stethoscope, a hammer, a paint brush, etc.

Tomorrow is Labor Day. It’s a holiday that recognizes and honors all the people who work hard in this country. To show our appreciation and thanks to these workers, on Labor Day they get the chance to relax and rest.

How can you tell, just by looking at someone, what their job might be? (Use your own props and examples here; my suggestions follow.) What kind of worker do you think I would be if I were carrying this paintbrush? (Let children respond.) What work would I be doing if I was carrying this bag or a stethoscope? (Let children respond.) What if I were carrying this hammer and some nails? Then what might my job be? (Let children respond.) Very good. You can guess at what work a person does by what they are carrying, and you can tell for sure by watching them to see what they do.

Do you think there are enough painters, doctors, and carpenters around? Do you think there is a shortage of workers anywhere? (Discuss.) The Bible talks about a shortage of workers. Jesus tells his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields” (nlt). The world is waiting to hear the good news of God’s love, but there aren’t enough workers to tell everyone!

Do you think all of you could be workers for God’s kingdom? Could you tell your friends that Jesus loves them and wants to welcome them into God’s family? You don’t have to wait until you’re a grown-up to be a worker in God’s kingdom. Kids can be great workers. Kids can tell others about Jesus.

What do you suppose a worker in God’s kingdom might carry with him or her? Do you think they might carry a Bible? Or maybe they would be carrying someone’s groceries for them while they invited that person over for Bible study. The things you do are even more important than what you carry. You show the world that you are a worker in God’s kingdom by the love you share with others.

Prayer:  Lord God, help us to be good workers in your kingdom. Make us bold to share the good news of Jesus and make us loving so that we might share God’s love.

Key Words: Recognition, Thanks, Vocation, Missions