At the close of the service, a man and his wife walked down the aisle in response to the pastor\u2019s invitation to accept Christ. Knowing this couple and visiting with them several times, the pastor wasn\u2019t surprised about this decision. On impulse, he asked them, \u201cWas it something I said in my sermon that helped you step out and move forward?\u201d Looking a little embarrassed, the man said, \u201cNo pastor, it was the children\u2019s sermon earlier in the service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Never underestimate the power of a simple sermon, prepared and presented through study and prayer.<\/p>\n
Finding data and statistics on the number of pastors who use children\u2019s sermons is difficult. Why? Because many churches provide Children\u2019s Church, for which the children leave the main assembly and move into another room before the morning message.<\/p>\n
Randy Rinehart, pastor of Parkway Baptist in Houston, Miss., has mixed feeling about this. \u201cAre our children missing something by not being in the worship service with adults?\u201d said Rinehart. \u201cI expect that ministers to children are responsible for 50 percent or more of the sermons. Very little is done from the pulpit. Object lessons speak to adults, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Messages aimed at children may pop up in Sunday School assemblies, church dinners and other congregational gatherings; the pastor, children\u2019s minister or volunteers present children\u2019s sermon during this time. Regardless of the location, the children\u2019s message can be an important part of a worship service.<\/p>\n
The purpose of a children\u2019s sermon is simple: It encourages the child to be involved in Bible study; and if adults are listening, it provides simple, direct biblical applications for them, as well. Often, the children\u2019s sermon is what the congregation best remembers.<\/p>\n
Preparing a Children\u2019s Sermon:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pastor Al writes a few thoughts late Saturday night for his Sunday morning children\u2019s sermons. \u201cI almost forgot about the kids\u2019 message in the morning,\u201d he says to his wife. \u201cI wish I could give this part of the service to someone else!\u201d With this attitude, it\u2019s no wonder most of the children stay with their parents when they are called to come to the front of the church.<\/p>\n However, look at the difference between that approach and another pastor\u2019s preparations. On Monday morning, Pastor Bob already is thinking about the following Sunday\u2019s sermon and the children\u2019s message. He is referencing John 13:34, \u201cA new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.\u201d Pastor Bob understands the need for a prop, for children to act out parts, and connect the lesson with the music and worship service. The message to children doesn\u2019t stand alone but is an important part of the worship service. Is it any wonder every child in this age range hurries forward for a front-row seat?<\/p>\n Speaking in concrete terms instead of abstract language is vital to communicating with kids, given the developmental stages of young children. Aaron Kennedy, minister to children at First Baptist Church, Jackson, Tenn., understands the age of the child determines the attention span. \u201cLess is often more,\u201d says Kennedy. \u201cI think it\u2019s best to use one idea at a time, and repeat often. When teaching children, refer to the Bible as many stories that tell one story.\u201d<\/p>\n Children are not too young to learn about the Bible and its truths. Remember, Jesus told us \u201cto come as little children.\u201d The Bible is a gospel narrative that shows creation, the fall, redemption and resurrection.<\/p>\n Presenting a Children\u2019s Sermon:<\/strong><\/p>\n Wanting the children to enjoy the sermon, Pastor Al involves the youngsters by asking personal questions about their home lives. Soon, a few children try to top the others by making their anecdote bigger and better, to the delight of the audience. Soon the situation, as well as the children, gets out of control. What could have been a biblical lesson gets lost in chaos.<\/p>\n Now look at how Pastor Bob handles the same scenario. Perhaps the sermon is about the boy Samuel, his mother and grandmother. For example, he could have asked, \u201cWhat makes for a happy home?\u201d This would lead to topics that children could respond to positively.<\/p>\n Not knowing what to expect, the parents are uncomfortable when their children answer questions formed by Pastor Al, and Pastor Al is unsure of himself when the children are out of control. Pastor Bob understands that you prepare, pray and give thought to questions and expected answers to use with youngsters.<\/p>\n Rinehart notes that children learn best through their senses, so we should present sermons that focus on sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. \u201cWhen using object lessons, make them concrete, not abstract,\u201d notes Rinehart. \u201cYoung children do not understand symbolism.\u201d<\/p>\n The time factor or length must be considered in presenting a sermon for little ones. Youngsters have short attention spans; maybe that is one reason adults enjoy these messages, also!<\/p>\n In presenting a message, some children\u2019s sermons actually are object lessons that say, \u201cThis object is like the truth.\u201d Donald Hinchey, author of 5-Minute Messages for Children<\/em> (Group), says, \u201cThe problem with most object lessons is the presenter does the talking and the children just listen. The unspoken rule is: Be quiet and sit still.\u201d Children like to talk, and they\u2019re always wiggling; so, a good children\u2019s message should let kids talk and wiggle!<\/p>\n Children, similar to adults, learn through visual, auditory and kinesthetic modes. Use props, PowerPoint presentations, puppets, music and musical instruments as additions to sermons when needed. However, do not allow these to overshadow the purpose of the lesson.<\/p>\n Suggestions for Keeping Children Focused:<\/strong><\/p>\n Keeping children\u2019s attention sometimes can be a challenge. Here are some suggestions: Who knows? The children\u2019s sermon you prepare may be the turning point to help a child\u2014or an adult\u2014make a decision to follow Christ, a decision that can change his or her earthly life and provide eternal life in heaven.<\/p>\n For Further Thought:<\/strong><\/p>\n All sermons must contain a Scripture and a theme. Are other features needed? Carolyn Tomlin writes for numerous Christian publications. She is the cofounder\/teacher of Boot Camp for Christian Writers. Tomlin is married to a Baptist minister and resides in Jackson, Tennessee.<\/em><\/p>\n At the close of the service, a man and his wife walked down the aisle in response to the pastor\u2019s invitation to accept Christ. Knowing this couple and visiting with them several times, the pastor wasn\u2019t surprised about this decision. 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As he prays about the service, he wonders how he can apply this passage to a children\u2019s sermon. Plans include a large red heart to represent love. Then, he brings it together with the game he played as a youngster, called \u201cMother, May I?\u201d In this simple game, the mother tells the others to do something. The players must ask, \u201cMother, may I?\u201d Immediately, the mother answers and says, \u201cYes, you may.\u201d Only then, can you continue the game as children follow the commands. When Jesus tells us to love, and we ask, \u201cJesus, may I?\u201d He gives us the power to love as He does.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ask Sunday School teachers to review guidelines for participating in the children\u2019s sermon if used in the morning worship service.
\u2022 Ask several parents or teacher volunteers (a 1:4 ratio) to sit with the children. Instead of everyone talking at once, ask the children to speak first with the adult before speaking to the leader. This is especially helpful for large groups.
\u2022 Call out the child\u2019s name if they\u2019re being disruptive and involve them in conversation. Never embarrass them.
\u2022 Move closer to the child who is engaged in a personal conversation with another, or ask this child to be your helper.
\u2022 Lower your voice instead of raising it if disruptive behavior occurs.
\u2022 Maintain eye contact with the children.
\u2022 Sit near them, and be on their level. Use a cordless microphone so everyone can hear.
\u2022 Include props related to the sermon.
\u2022 Read the Scripture straight from the Bible as a reminder that this is God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n
Components of Effective Children\u2019s Sermons<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u2022 Assistants may be needed for skits. Ask a teen or youth in advance of the service.
\u2022 Active games involve children in the message and help them recall the sermon. Plus, kids love these!
\u2022 Props should be shown to all children and available for youngsters and adults to view.
\u2022 Mementos or souvenirs, if given, could include items from your Christian bookstore that carry biblical thoughts such as pencils with an imprinted message, a small cross or stickers.<\/p>\n