Children’s Message on Mark 9 and The Servant of All
Main Objective: For the most part, we live in a “first come, first serve” society. We aim to be the best and to be the first, and we honor those who are. We certainly wouldn’t expect to see the back of the line honored before early arrivals, and our constant competition pushes us to strive for supremacy. Jesus, however, looks at things differently, and turns expectations upside down.
In this message, children will consider how Christ prioritizes things differently than we do, and how we ought to have humble attitudes. Instead of putting ourselves first, we should act to love and serve others, because that’s exactly how Jesus lived.
Law/Gospel Theme: Viewing life through a lens that is always reward/punishment based leads us to think that gaining recognition or repayment is an ideal goal. When we think about the Law, we might be tempted to somehow earn our own way into a close relationship with God. This passage reminds children of the importance of serving, rather than surpassing others. The best example of humble service is Jesus Himself. This Gospel lesson also emphasizes our true dependence on God. Jesus commended little children and encouraged others to receive them well. We ought to be childlike in recognizing that we are helpless without the saving blood of Christ.
Mark 9:30-37 Children’s Sermon- Put the Needs of Others First
Optional Materials: Pictures of people waiting in line or waiting rooms; small prizes for children (optional)
Bible Passage: Mark 9:30-37
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use your judgment and ideas to best serve students.
Greet children, and talk about waiting…
Hello, children of God!
Have you ever had to wait for something? Waiting isn’t always fun, but it’s part of life, even when patience is frustrating. There are plenty of things we might find ourselves waiting for. Usually if you’re waiting with a group of people, who gets to go first? Normally the first person to arrive is the first who gets served, right? Show some pictures of people waiting in line or in rooms for things. If someone is in a line like this, who will get to go first? Will it be the last person in the line? Of course not. You’d think the first person would go first. Or if someone comes to wait for a doctor appointment, the person with the earliest appointment will get to go first, right? Describe the following situation, or create the scenario by having students line up. Now, let’s say I have a container of fun treats, and I am going to let you pick them out. If I have you line up to pick out your item, you would be surprised if I let the last person in line be the first to select. That just isn’t how we normally do things. In this day and age, it’s first come, first serve. We want to get in line first, come in first, and get the first place trophy.
Well, this is how we think of things. But it’s not how Jesus sees them. In fact, Jesus takes our expectations and turns them upside down. In the Bible, He said that the last would be first. In the Gospel of Mark, some of His disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. They wanted to know who was the best, and Jesus told them that if anyone wanted to be first, they needed to put themselves last. It wasn’t about being the greatest, but about being a humble servant. He wanted people to think less of themselves and put the needs of others first.
This message wasn’t just for the disciples then. It’s something we should try to do, too. It’s easy to want to be the first or the best. We get competitive, and it’s easy to think that getting our needs met or being great is the most important thing. But God calls us to be humble. Humility means not thinking of ourselves as the best, but trying to meet the needs of other people first. Now, it doesn’t mean you have to let everyone else cut you in a line or get walked all over. It just requires thinking of other people as though they’re just as important (or more so!) than you are, and considering what they would want. Maybe you let your brother have the bigger slice of pizza, or you hold the door for someone, or don’t complain when there’s a long wait at the restaurant.
Do you know the best example of humble service? Jesus Himself! He didn’t just demand it from His disciples but modeled it for us all. Jesus gave up His place in Heaven to come down to Earth and live with us. He came not to be served, but to serve others and give up His life. He lived to help others, and died to save everyone. When we think about that, it only seems right that we should be willing to put a little effort into humble service, right? And God helps us to do that, if we’re willing to ask. Greatness in God’s eyes is putting others first.
Why don’t we say a prayer now and ask God to help us honor Him by serving others?
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for all that you give us.
Help us to be patient
Even when waiting is hard and we aren’t first.
Help us to serve one another.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Mark 9:30-37 Meaning for Kids
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” -Mark 9:30-37