Children’s Message: The Lord Promises of Peace of Israel from Jeremiah 31:1-14
Main Objective: Children are no strangers to mood swings (although they might not recognize what they are), but they often have a difficult time understanding or controlling emotions. This message reminds all of us that sadness is completely normal, and not always in our power to change. However, we serve a God who promises joy and restoration. He is with us even in hard times, and has the power to transform our hearts and turn our mourning into dancing.
Law/Gospel Theme: The message Jeremiah gave to the people of Israel was one of joy despite darkness. Though the people had made mistakes and suffered, God had a plan for reunion and restoration. The prophet’s message can still encourage us today, especially in light of the Gospel of Jesus, the promise fulfilled. We sometimes adopt the mistaken understanding that Christians should always be happy and smiling, but this is of course not the case. Our joy should be deep-rooted in Christ. Sorrows will come, but we have a hope that transcends them when we trust the lasting covenants of God.
Jeremiah 31:1-14 Children’s Sermon on Restoration of Israel
Optional Materials: Items that represent opposites (wet and dry, light and dark, happy and sad, dirty and clean, etc.)
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 31:7-14 (optional addition of 1-6)
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 talk about opposites…
Hello, children of God!
Can you think of some things that are opposites? I’m sure you know what opposites are: things that are completely different from one another. Provide examples, holding up objects as you describe and allowing student responses. So if I asked you for the opposite of something wet, it would be…dry! Or the opposite of something dark would be…something light. The opposite of clean would be dirty. How about the opposite of sad? That’s right, happy! Now, do you ever wish that you could change your emotions around? When you’re feeling sad, do you ever wish that you could suddenly be happy? Maybe you’ve tried forcing feelings, and it didn’t work. Maybe you’ve even had someone tell you something like “you should turn your frown upside down” or “you can get glad in the same pants you got mad in!” Those things sound fine, but we know it’s not that easy. We can’t just flip a switch and change how we feel. We all have times when we get sad.
The good news is that we know someone who does have the power to change our hearts and emotions. We have hope in One who offers comfort and consolation, even in times of darkness and sorrow. You’ve probably figured out Who I’m talking about by now…God! The Lord gives us joy even when we don’t feel too happy. This reminds me of some words from the prophet Jeremiah. God sent prophets as people who gave Heavenly messages to His people. Sometimes these messages were challenging to hear, but prophets also conveyed God’s promises and hope. Now, Jeremiah did not have an easy life. In fact, he is often called the “weeping prophet” because he faced so much sorrow in his time.
He had positive things to tell God’s people, though. Jeremiah told them that God had plans for reunion and restoration. Even though there was pain and sadness to face, it wouldn’t last forever. God was going to gather the people back to Himself. His love would never fail or fade. Even though the people had been scattered and held captive, God would have mercy and bring them back together. In fact, Jeremiah described people who would dance with joy, and sorrow that would turn into gladness. There was hope in difficulty.
The words of Jeremiah were important to the people of his time, but they have powerful meaning for us now, as well. We know that there will be times when we feel sad, and that’s okay. It’s part of being human. But we know that, because of God’s faithfulness and love, He is with us even in our sorrows. It’s not up to us to fix all of our problems, but God is able to do more than we can imagine. He is present with us at all times, and He promises blessings. He will renew and restore our lives, no matter how bleak things feel. We can put our trust and hope in Him, knowing that He will provide.
So even if you can’t turn your frown around, God can! Our hope and joy rest in Him. Next time you’re feeling down in the dumps, lift up a prayer. God is ready to help you and renew your spirits.
Let’s pray now and thank God for His faithfulness and blessings.
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for the hope of your promises.
We know we can always trust you.
Help us to rejoice in your presence
Even in times when we feel sad.
Thank you for being with us.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
“At that time, declares the Lord, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.”
2 Thus says the Lord:
“The people who survived the sword
found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
3 the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built,
O virgin Israel!
Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines
and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.
5 Again you shall plant vineyards
on the mountains of Samaria;
the planters shall plant
and shall enjoy the fruit.
6 For there shall be a day when watchmen will call
in the hill country of Ephraim:
‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion,
to the Lord our God.’”
7 For thus says the Lord:
“Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
‘O Lord, save your people,
the remnant of Israel.’
8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
9 With weeping they shall come,
and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back,
I will make them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble,
for I am a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations,
and declare it in the coastlands far away;
say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him,
and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’
11 For the Lord has ransomed Jacob
and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
12 They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall be like a watered garden,
and they shall languish no more.
13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
14 I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance,
and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,
declares the Lord.” -Jeremiah 31:1-14