the Sacred Steps this week
Some ideas to get you thinking about the sermon for children of all ages based on the January 30th lectionary texts.
Psalm 71:1-6
- If you created an “Images of God” poster or list to keep with the children, get it out and see if there are some images to add from this psalm. God rescues, is a refuge, and a rock. What do those mean? How do we, you, or the children, experience God as refuge, rescuer, or rock?
- How are the children already a prodigy or marvel of God? What do they do that helps indicate that God’s love is happening in their lives or in the world?
Jeremiah 1:4-10
- Jeremiah argues that he is only a boy. This scripture provides the opportunity to help the children understand their importance to the community of faith. They, too, have important words to share with, and can be leaders for, the community, just like Jeremiah. How might the children show your congregation God’s compassion, love, or justice?
- Verse 5 is an opportunity to talk to the children about God’s intimate knowledge of creation and of humanity as a religious confession rather than scientific fact.
- Verse 9 provides, if you have an older group, a good place to begin a conversation about how to know when the community of faith, or an individual, is “speaking for God.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
- This scripture could provide several weeks of conversation with the children, if one chooses to talk about these different aspects of love. Are any of the characteristics of love more important to the community than others?
- Talk with the children about the aspects of love that are the easiest for humanity? Which are harder?
Luke 4:21-30
- This is an opportunity to talk with the children about how some of the stories about Jesus make us feel. Some of what Jesus teaches is hard for us to hear or understand, but if we study, talk, and listen to one another, we might come to a better understanding of what Jesus meant.
- One could focus on what it means to be accepted in your community of faith. Jesus spoke of not being accepted because he would not “perform” for the people. Are there times when the children have not felt accepted? How does your congregation accept people?
I trust the ideas will help you find illumination for the biblical witness though your life and the words you craft for those in your pastoral care. You can purchase a copy of the Sacred Steps: Year C or other lectionary years on this site. Be a blessing.