Children’s Sermon

John 14:15-21

Warmed by God’s Spirit

Object suggested: A ball to represent an Emperor penguin’s egg – for demonstration purposes. (An Emperor penguin’s egg measures about 4-5 inches in length and weighs approximately 12 – 18 ounces.)

Picture of adult and baby Emperor penguin

Emperor penguins are the largest of all penguins. They grow to be three feet high (demonstrate) and can weigh one hundred pounds. That is a big bird!

They live in Antarctica where it is very cold; mostly snow and ice. The way that Emperor penguins take care of their babies is quite interesting.

The mother penguin lays only one egg. She holds the egg on the tops of her feet to keep it off the ice. (Demonstrate) Soon after the egg is hatched she carefully moves the precious egg to the top of the father’s feet so she is able to go into northern waters where there are fish for her to eat.

The father penguin cares for the egg while holding it on his feet. He tucks a loose flap of his skin over the egg to keep it warm so it will hatch. The father spends about two months sheltering the egg, making sure it does not get cold. During that time the father penguin does not eat at all! He may lose up to one-half of his body weight.

By the time the chick has hatched the mother penguin is back from her journey. The baby penguin is then moved back to its mother’s feet, being careful to keep it off the ice.

Can you see how much care is given to the egg and then the chick? There is always a parent there to provide what is needed.

When Jesus prepared to return to God the Father he had a plan to take care of those who were left behind. He said,“I will not leave you orphaned.” (Orphans are children who do not have anyone to take care of them.)

Jesus said that he would not leave us orphaned. He told his disciples that he would send the Spirit of Truth to be with us forever. The Spirit of Truth is the part of God which lives inside of us. It is that Spirit which helps us know right from wrong and teaches us how to love and care for each other. When you accept God’s love you are forever warmed by His Spirit. You are a precious child of God.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible