Children’s Sermon

Galatians 1:1-12

Choose The Right Reason

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Galatians 1:1-12

Choose The Right Reason

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Objects suggested: WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets are available online and in certain Christian supply stores for as low as $1. There are also numerous web sites with instructions on how to make WWJD bracelets, key chains, etc. (These objects are not essential to the lesson.)

We make many decisions each day. Just think about it.

We decide to get up. We decide what we will wear. We decide what foods we will eat. We decide whether to put on a sweater or a coat before we go outside. We decide to say hello to a friend. We decide to read a book, or take a walk, or listen to music, or dig in the garden, or play catch, or…. The list can go on and on.

Sometimes we must make a difficult decision. We might be faced with something that doesn’t feel right – something that just doesn’t seem like the right thing to do. Some people, when they don’t know what to do, think of this question: What Would Jesus Do?

That’s a pretty good guide, isn’t it? We can’t go wrong if we try to live our lives as Jesus did.

The apostle Paul did just that. He traveled to many places telling others about God’s love that came to us through Jesus Christ. He said he did this to please God, not to please other people.

Paul’s lesson reminds us to do things for the right reason. Some people so want to please others that they make bad decisions or do things for the wrong reason.

Here is an example of doing something good, but for the wrong reason: In school if you work hard, you may get good grades and please your teachers and that is good, but the main reason to study is to gain new skills and learn new things.

Here is an example of doing something good for the right reason: It is good to want to please your parents because they love you and they want the best for you. Pleasing your parents also pleases God. When you honor your parents you are doing something for the right reason.

It is wonderful that we have so many choices. Make decisions that will please God. That is the right reason.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2012, Richard Niell Donovan