Children’s Sermon (Isaiah 43:1-7) Fear not, for I have redeemed you
Main Objective: We all know (kids especially) that life can be scary at times. While there are some things that provide temporary comfort for the fears of children, we ultimately know that God is the one who provides us with all hope and assurance. He made us, cares for us, loves us, and holds us in His hand. He calls us by name and promises to be with us through all that we face in life. This message reminds us that we can turn to God for peace and comfort no matter what.
Law/Gospel Theme: The words of God, spoken through the prophet Isaiah, were surely a great source of comfort to the people of his time. They also provide us with peace now, in the midst of whatever fears and frustrations we face in life. We have the assurance that God is faithful, and that we will one day be with Him in Heaven, thanks to the blood of Jesus. We can rejoice that His safe and loving arms surround us, and that He restores all things.
Isaiah 43:1-7 Children’s Sermon on Fear not for God is with you
Optional Materials: Items representing comfort (nightlights, security blankets, toys, etc.)
Bible Passage: Isaiah 43:1-7
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.
Greet children and discuss fears…
Hello, children of God!
Are there any things that scare you? It’s normal to be afraid sometimes, and everyone has things that scare them. Maybe you’re afraid of something like spiders, or snakes, or thunderstorms…or maybe the dark. Sometimes it can be scary to have to go to bed all alone when it’s dark. Are there any things that you can do to make yourself feel comforted in those scary times? Hold up items as described, and share personal anecdotes as relevant. You might have a night light for the dark bedroom. Or maybe a blanket or a toy that helps you feel comforted. Those kinds of things can give you peace when circumstances are challenging. Sometimes, though, you want to be with someone. I remember getting scared in the middle of the night, and there were times when the only thing that would help was being close to my parents. I felt better if I was near them, even if that meant just sitting at the foot of the bed. Now that I’m a parent, there are times when my son will only calm and sleep if he’s held in someone’s arms.
Even as grown-ups, there are times when things feel scary. There are things that are challenging or worrisome, and we all need comforted. There are different ways we can find that at different parts of our lives. But there is Someone who promises to always be with us, comfort us, and carry us through hard times. Someone who has created us and loves us. You can probably guess who I’m describing…God, of course! The Lord wants to be close to us. He provides for us no matter what.
In the book of Isaiah, the prophet spoke to the people of God, who were experiencing some challenges and needed hope and encouragement in tough times. Those words are hopeful for us, as well. Isaiah spoke on God’s behalf and shared His words with the people. God told them (and tells us) that He called them by name and they were His. God knows our names. He knows us, even better than we know ourselves, and He calls us to His will and purposes. God also said in that passage that He would be with us in trial. When we pass through “waters” of hard times, He said He would be with us, and even through fire and flames, we would not be consumed.
God will do whatever it takes to have a relationship with us and be close to us. This even includes coming to Earth as a human and suffering pain and death on our behalf, to rescue us from sin and its consequences. Jesus is proof of the great love that God has for us and of how He keeps His promises to us. God is always with us. Even though we cannot see His face with our eyes, we can rest assured that He is near. There might be times we don’t feel that presence as closely as we’d hope, but we know we can trust Him. When we’re afraid, or going through hard times, or uncertain of the future, we can pray and ask God for help and comfort. We know that He always hears us and is near us. He has called us by name and we are His. He holds us in His hand and walks with us through all things in life. Our hope and our comfort are in Him, no matter what might come our way!
Let’s pray now and thank God for being with us, and ask for His help during hard times.
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for knowing us and calling us.
Thank you for walking with us in hard times.
Help us to put our hope in your strength and comfort.
Thank you for being with us.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” -Isaiah 43:1-7