Famous for Faith! Use this free Children’s Message on the Legacy of Loving the Lord. Use this free Bible object lesson on faith when teaching kids from Hebrews chapter 11 & 12. You can also download our complete Sunday School Lesson on Hebrews 11.
Lesson Objective: There are many prominent public figures that we might revere or consider famous and important. We celebrate athletes, movie stars, and nowadays, social media influencers. In order to be counted successful in this world, it takes attention, hard work, and a fair amount of luck. But what does it mean to be a “star” in God’s eyes? This message looks at the “Hall of Faith” passage of Hebrews to consider how trusting in the Lord has true lasting worth and will be counted for much more than trophies!
Law/Gospel Theme: We don’t need to accomplish grand things or work extra hard to be considered great in God’s eyes. Spiritual “fame” comes from trusting in Jesus and leaning on what He has done for us. Sometimes we face challenges for following Christ, but He will lead us through. Faith is celebrated not because we have special ability, but because HE can use our meager offerings for His glory!
Optional Materials: (Optional) Pictures of famous people in sports or media.
Bible Passage: Hebrews 11:29-12:2
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: The Hall of Faith
Greet children, prepared with several pictures of well-known figures from sports or media.
Hello, children of God!
Can you think of someone who might be considered famous? Who are some people that are well-known and recognized? I have a few examples here to consider… (Display pictures of celebrity figures such as sports stars and movie or music greats. Use examples who have won major awards over time, and explain who they are if students are not familiar.) Now, all of these people have gained a lot of recognition and won some pretty impressive awards. How did they become so famous? Well, they probably worked very hard to get where they are. They practiced and performed a great deal in order to become well-known and earn the awards they have. We celebrate their achievements and honor the work they’ve put into their sport or trade.
What do you think it takes to be famous in the eyes of God? Is that a trick question? Can we achieve notoriety for our beliefs? Well, the awesome thing is that we can be “famous for faith”, but it doesn’t take any work on our part! When we demonstrate genuine trust in the Lord, He can do great things through us, but it’s not about us. There’s a passage in the Bible that we sometimes call the “Hall of Faith.” It’s in Hebrews 11, and describes several figures who exhibited tremendous faith in God and were blessed because of it. Some of the people listed included Abraham, who was promised a big family when he had no children; or Noah, who built an ark before it started to rain and flood. Moses rescued the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt. Rahab trusted that God would rescue her family when the rest of Jericho was destroyed, and He saved her. Gideon believed that God could do great things with just a small army. There were a lot of people in the Bible who encountered hardship and suffering, but did amazing things for God’s kingdom. These people were not so special on their own power, but they had faith in the power of God. The people listed in this passage of Scripture lived and died, but after them came someone who lived so that we don’t have to die! Jesus lived a perfect life and gave Himself for us. We can have faith that His blood cleanses us and gives us hope. We can put our trust in God. We don’t have to do special things to be great in God’s eyes. He makes all things possible! Being strong and “famous” in faith does not depend on our ability or strength, but on God’s.
Why don’t we say a prayer to thank God for faith and love?
Children’s Prayer Moment
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us faith
And for being with us through tough times
Help us to trust in you
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference: Hebrews 11 & 12
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
32 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— 38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. -Hebrews 11:29-12:2