Children’s Sermon July 8, 2012, Mark 6:1-13 – 6th Sunday after Pentecost

Scripture Focus: Mark 6:1-13

Preparation: A backpack or suitcase full of travel gear.  For example, if available, pack a backpacking backpack with the gear you might need for several days (tent, sleeping bag, clothes, etc).  Or put together carry-on size bag for a weekend trip.  Bring a walking stick and a Bible with the reading from Mark ready to read.

Faith+Open: Enter from a place that allows you to walk a distance with your gear and call the children to follow you as you walk to your regular meeting place.

Faith+Share:  I bet your wondering what all this stuff is for, aren’t you?  Well, I heard that Jesus was about to send us on a journey to go heal people, so I thought that I should pack.  Have any of you ever packed for a trip?  What kind of stuff did you bring?  (Let them answer for a minute or two.)  Well I have a bunch of stuff, too.  Let’s see what I have with me.  (Now go through your bag a little.  You may just need to give highlights if you have a bunch of gear!)

Pretty good, don’t you think?  I should be ready for just about anything!  Now, I also heard that Jesus had some instructions and a packing list for me.  It should be right here in the reading.  (read verses 7-9.)  Uh Oh, I think I may have over-packed!  All I really need is my shoes, a couple of shirts and good walking stick.  It may not seem like much to take on a long journey, but I think that Jesus had a plan.  I think that he wanted the disciples to have faith that everything would fine, but even more, I think that Jesus wanted the disciples to get to know the people they were going to help and heal.  He wanted to create trust between the disciples and the communities they entered.  He was teaching them and us that it is okay, and even good to rely on each other for the things that we need, and to be ready to share we have more than we need.

Faith+Prayer:  Gracious God, you give us good gifts.  Sometimes more than we need or know how to use.  Teach us to share with others when we have too much, and teach us to ask for help for others when we need it.  Amen

Faith+Blessing:  May your eyes be opened to see all the amazing works of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.


-GB
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