Object: Band-Aid
"You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor" (Psalm 8:5, NIV)
Our bodies are fascinating, wouldn't you say? Nerves transmit reflexes and help our limbs move. The heart pumps blood through the veins and sends it throughout the body. Our lungs make breathing possible. And our skin projects our bones and muscles. In fact, your body is a marvelous machine.
Think of your body as a gift from God. Each part of your body allows you to do certain things. What can hands do? (Clap, fold in prayer.) Fingers? (Hold a pencil, draw, pick up objects.) What about feet and legs? (Run, skip, hop, climb, march, etc.) Yes, each part of our body serves a specific function. God made our bodies to perform special purposes.
Because God loves us, He wants us to take good care of our bodies. Can you think of some ways we can keep our bodies safe? (Pause for answers.) Did we mention eating the right kinds of food? Getting enough sleep and rest? What about exercise? These are only some of the things that keep us healthy.
But there's another gift from God. This is the ability of our bodies to heal themselves. Have you ever skinned your knee or cut your finger? Did the cut heal? We don't know exactly why, but usually healthy bodies are able to heal themselves. (Hold up a Band-Aid. Place one on a child's finger.) Perhaps Mom or Dad has placed a Band-Aid over a cut or scratch.
Yes, God has given us a wonderful gift. No amount of money can replace your body. He wants us to take care of this special creation and use it to serve him! (Carolyn Ross Tomlin) (Option: may wish to end sermon by handing out a brightly-colored band-aid to each child.)
God Is Our Friend
Object: A Bible
"A friend loves at all times..." (Proverbs 17:17, NIV)
(Ask pianist to play softly "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" as children gather.)
Boys and girls, today we are going to talk about friends. How many of you have a friend? Why did you choose this person? (Pause for response. List activities boys and girls can participate in with friends.) A friend is someone who plays with you. Perhaps you share toys with your special friend. A friend is a person you like, you spend time with, and can trust. When you have a friend, you have someone to talk to. A friend listens. God wants us to choose good friends. Listen to what the Bible says about friends.
Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times." When you're sick or when you can't come out and play, a true friend still loves you. This person may be your age, someone older, or a senior adult. Yes, friends are very important. If we want friends, how do we have them? (Pause for response.)
Now think about how you can be a friend. Isn't it the same? You must become a person who can be trusted. Get to know boys and girls in your neighborhood, school, and church. Find ways to help older adults your family knows. Friendships take time. In order to spend time with others, you may have to give up something you like to do so that you can let your friends play their favorite games, too!