Lesson Goal
The purpose of this sermon is to encourage the use of quality children's sermons.
Lesson Intro
Jesus' ministry is famous for his allowing little children to come to him (Matthew 19:14; Luke 18:17), mentioning specifically the advantage children have over adults in receiving the kingdom of God. A children's sermon is an opportunity to include them as Jesus did. It is an occasional 5 minute or less time slot near the beginning of a church service. Some preachers introduce their own sermons with a short time at the beginning devoted specially to children. Others address children with special attention during an adult sermon.
Adults as well as children benefit from a well thought out and presented children's sermon. All too often a children's sermon is a catastrophe, because it lacks diligent preparation and the preacher lacks an understanding of its special audience. Many preachers have make an effort to give children's, failed miserably after a few tries and given up on the idea. But with a little education, most preachers can succeed marvelously at giving children's sermons. How can you prepare and present successful children's sermons?
Lesson Plan
This lessons discusses ideas to capture children's attention, qualities of a good children's sermon, positive discipline, evangelizing children, making your church child friendly and the concept of catechism.
Interest, Instruct & Impress
In his marvelous revision of John A. Broadus' classic 1870's book On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons (p. 253, Harper, 1979) Vernon L. Stanfield defines 3 primary things to do in a children's sermon:
interest — in order to interest children a sermon must be pretty or funny
instruct — simple Christians essentials and doing good
impress — appeal to their affections not their fears
Visualization & Imagination
There is no excuse for an ad lib children's sermon. It needs just as much prayer and forethought as an adult sermon. In his book Gospel-Telling: The Art and Theology of Children’s Sermons (2002, CSS Publishing Company) Richard J. Coleman suggests a few excellent categories of children’s sermons, which I summarize as two points:
visualization — demonstrations, drama and pantomime
imagination — tell stories or parables
When outlining a children's sermon, it may be a good idea to add an extra point in your outline, such as props, costumes, drama, visuals, etc.
Qualities of a Good Children's Sermon
A good children's sermon has some important qualities. Include the adults in the children's message. Remember they are listening too. Show respect and dignity to children. Don't use them as objects of childish vanity or ridicule. Keep the topic within the theme of the day, so that it flows with the worship music and main sermon. Get to know what interests children so you can talk about those things. Speak at their level, using simple child-like logic, not deep metaphorical language. Try telling a story from the Bible in your own words. Consult with teachers who have studied early childhood education.
In a presentation for a preaching conference in September 2003, Connie Campbell suggested some ideas:
Sit down among the children so they will listen better.
Build drama with your voice and expressions.
Ask questions so children can answer, and listen to the answers.
Involve the children in motions or by repeating phrases.
Use resources like children's books, PowerPoint pictures and music.
Positive Discipline
Discipline during a children's sermon can be difficult. Distractions can be frustrating and challenging. Elizabeth O. Cooper presents some helpful comments (Quest, Fall 2005, Volume 8 Issue 2):
Incompatible alternatives principle — ask for help with something so that they don't have time to misbehave
Make a big deal principle — reinforcing positive reactions
Privacy principle — never embarrass a child in public
Whisper principle — surprise a child by lowering your voice to a whisper
Get on a child's eye level principle — get down and look them in the eyes
Evangelize Children
Roger Fellows a pastor in England reminds us there are a couple of advantages to a children's sermon: they are more teachable and are less hardened by sin. However, there are also disadvantages: children are easily led into a shallow profession of faith and avoid teaching that is over their heads.
Make Church Child Friendly
Trying to make the whole church more child friendly is a challenge. Nothing discourages children quicker than intolerant people. On the other hand, nobody can tolerate severe disruption. This is a very sensitive issue in any church. Try to give children the opportunity to participate more in church. The altar boy has been a very successful custom. Similar jobs can be invented in other traditions to give children encouragement.
Preachers can openly make children feel welcome and speak directly to them during sermons. Support parents. Encourage them to bring coloring books and pencils, soft toys and other things that may make church more special to children. Along with adult examples or illustrations, also include examples of children in sermons.
Catechism
Many churches today do not catechize (from Greek meaning to instruct) children in the basics of Christianity. What a pity! However, church can be like a one room school house. Modern schools are sometimes like production factories and very financially efficient, yet at times very inefficient in personal development. The old fashioned one room school house had at least one great advantage over the modern school system. Students got to hear and help teach the same lessons to younger children each year, reinforcing the basics. This advantage is also found in the church when the basics of Christian instruction are taught to children, while adults are listening. So eventually everyone gets taught the basics.
Be Ready to Learn from Them
A common experience in teaching children is the amazing wisdom that they sometimes dish out. Many people who have taught children will tell of remarkable insight that seems to come from little minds that are not complicated with adult things.
Example Sermon
Title: "Samson"
Goal
To teach obedience.
Intro
Has anyone every heard of Samson? Do you know anything about him?
Plan
Let's talk about Samson (Judges 13-16) and how disobedience got him in so much trouble.
Prop (a metal bucket)
Body
1. Samson disobeyed his parents
He got into real trouble by disobeying his parents. I remember when I was young and had climbed into a metal bucket and wanted to jump out of it. My Dad told me not to, because I would get hurt. I disobeyed him, jumped out, and fell back and cracked my head open.
Application
Have you ever disobeyed your parents and gotten in trouble?
2. Samson disobeyed God until it was too late
He got into real trouble because he did not want to do what God said. But at the last minute of his life he decided to obey God.
Application
Would Samson had a better life if he obeyed God when he was young, rather than just before he died? What about you?
Outro
So next time you see someone who is disobeying their parents or God, just say to yourself, I don't want to be a Samson. I want to obey God now when I'm young.
Suggested Assignment
Prepare a children's sermon using a large prop or some other visual aid.
Lesson Outro
Every life is precious. Children have been neglected for too long in too many churches. It's time we paid attention to the future generations of the Church. Let's give some attention to children's sermons, evangelizing children, making our churches child friendly and the concept of catechism.
