Children’s Sermon

Matthew 15:10-28

Out of the Heart

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Pictures of hearts

Did you know that your heart is really a muscle? It pumps blood to every part of your body to keep you healthy so you can run, jump, climb, and play. If you press your first two fingers of your right hand on your left wrist, just below your thumb, you can feel your heart beating.

Many people think the heart is on the left side of the chest, but it actually lies almost in the center. (Demonstrate.) Your heart is about as big as your fist and in your lifetime will beat approximately two and one-half billion times! What important, hard work it does!

Because the heart is so important, we often talk of the heart as being the source of our feelings such as anger, sadness, love, joy, or fear. You may have noticed that when you are frightened or angry you can feel your heart beating a bit faster.

Jesus says, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart…” This verse teaches us that the words we say come from our feelings. We have a choice to use good words that bring love, joy, and encouragement to others or use angry words that are hurtful.

In school you may place your hand over your heart when you say the Pledge of Allegiance or when your country’s flag passes by in a parade. It is a sign of respect.

Choosing good words is a sign of respect for others. Let the words you use come from the love you feel in your heart.

Copyright 2008, Richard Niell Donovan