Children’s Sermon

Mark 9:30-37

The Little Ones

Jesus sat with his twelve disciples as he often did when he was about to teach an important lesson. He took a little child into his arms and said to his followers, “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me…” (9:37).

Let’s think about what this lesson means. How many of you have a baby in your home?

Those of you who have been around a baby know how helpless they are. They need to depend on someone else to feed them, change them, keep them warm, talk with them, and rock them to sleep.

What lesson do you think Jesus wanted his disciples and us to hear when he said whoever welcomes a little child welcomes me?

Yes, when you care for those who are smaller or weaker than yourself you are doing God’s work. You make a friendly place for others to feel God’s love. It is like opening a door to those who need your help and saying, “Welcome.”

As you grow you will find many who are in need. It may be a young child, an elderly person, someone who is sick or sad, or perhaps even an animal.

You will have many chances to be kind and helpful to your younger brother or sister or others you meet. Whenever you reach out to those who are in need you welcome them and show them God’s love.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus loves all of us, especially children.

(Sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” if time and circumstances permit.)

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible