Children’s Message on Luke 6 “Do Unto Others”
Main Objective: Most children (hopefully) are taught the importance of treating others kindly. We want them to think before they act or speak, valuing the feelings of others. However, we don’t always emphasize why this is the best way to live. This message describes the “Golden Rule” given in Luke 6. Jesus wants us to treat other people as we’d want them to treat us. Not only does He ask that of us, but He also wants us to pray for our enemies and show kindness to those who might be harder to love. In this way, we show others the mercy and care that God gives us.
Law/Gospel Theme: When we live out the “Golden Rule,” we follow the commands of Jesus, who was the greatest example of serving and sacrifice. God wants us to love others with the same love He has for us. It is challenging to consider being kind to those who mistreat us. However, we do not do this on our own merit or power. God helps us to live this way. As we pray and care for other people in the same way we wish to be cared for, we recognize that we are demonstrating Christ’s love. None of us is deserving of grace, but God cares for us despite our sins. We should pass on the love and mercy that we have been shown.
Luke 6:27-38 Children’s Sermon on “The Golden Rule”
Optional Materials: Varied, depending on message delivery.
Bible Passage: Luke 6:27-38
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.
Children’s Sermon “Love your Enemies” Luke 6:27-38
Greet children, and start off with some “opposite examples,” doing things that would not demonstrate treating them with love and kindness. Note: use examples that fit your group, and be sensitive to students who would take offense at negative comments.
Hello, children of God!
It is wonderful to see you all today! But you know, I have to say, some of you don’t really look that amazing. I mean, do you think those colors go together? And that hairstyle…um, did you look in a mirror before leaving the house? Yikes. Anyway, we have something important to talk about today. First, though, I want to get your opinions. What is your favorite song to sing in church or Sunday School? Await responses. Hmm, well, I’ll make sure we DON’T sing those! How about stories? Do you have a favorite Bible story you enjoy? Okay, I’ll take that off the list, too. Anyway, let’s move on. Oh, but first, I need a little snack. Sometimes I get a bit hungry. Pull out some sort of snack bag and grab something out of it. These are great…Oh, would you like some, too? Hmm, uh-oh. It looks like I just ate the last one! Oh well.
Now, hopefully you caught on that I was joking with these things. Of course, I would never make fun of your hair or clothes. If I asked for your opinion, I’d use it. And I wouldn’t bring a snack if I didn’t have enough to share with everyone. But why? Why would I be careful to say or do things that are caring and thoughtful? Why not just act selfish all the time? Well, for one thing, I care about all of you. I don’t want to upset you or hurt your feelings. And I want to treat you in the same way I’d want you to treat me. Of course, I don’t want you to make fun of me or my family. I don’t want you taking the last snack. So those are things that I avoid when interacting with other people. It’s important to think before we act or speak, and hopefully you are in the practice of doing that.
Again, though, we might ask why. Besides being kind, is there any other reason for treating people well? Actually, the Bible tells us that this is the way to live! In fact, Jesus commanded it and described the importance of treating others as we want to be treated. He went even further, though. Jesus said that we shouldn’t just be kind to those who are nice to us. We shouldn’t just love people who love us. As Christians, He calls us to pray for our enemies, and to be kind even when others mistreat us. Now, this doesn’t mean we don’t have boundaries or we let people walk all over us. But we can forgive others and pray for them. And we also remember that this is the way Jesus loves us. He died for us while we were still sinners. He loves us unconditionally, no matter how many times we mess up. Knowing this, we can pass God’s love on to other people and treat them with mercy and care. He promises blessing when we bless one another.
So consider, when working with others, how they would want to be treated. There are times when we might not be sure what to do, and there are times when it’s hard to show kindness to people who are harder to love. In those situations, though, we can always go to our great God in prayer. We can ask the Lord for help and guidance when we need it, and trust that He will provide for us and help us show others the love He has shown us.
Let’s pray now and ask for God’s help in treating others well.
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for your love and mercy
And for giving us blessings we don’t deserve.
Please help us to love others.
Help us to treat people with care and prayer.
Thank you for loving us
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Love Your Enemies Bible Verse and Prayer Luke 6:27-28
Bible Verses/story to Reference: Luke 6:27-38
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” -Luke 6:27-38