Preface for Pastors and Parents
Here is a brand new children’s sermon on John 1:43-51. Three years ago I published a children’s sermon for what is, as I write, this Sunday’s lectionary Gospel reading. (You can find it here.)
Actually I did children’s sermons on a lot of texts for this part of the Church year back then. I’m taking the opportunity to fill in for a Sunday I missed both last time through and this time too.
Next time it’s year B, on the 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, this will be waiting for you. Or any old time you need it, actually. Just use the search widget at the bottom of the page. Plug in “John 1:43-51” and this will pop up. Or Google “children’s sermon on John 1:43-51” and that should lead you here too.
It’s an interesting text, part of Jesus calling his first few disciples. The Gospels vary in the way they portray these stories of calling, and this scene is only in John.
The story is a bit enigmatic. Some of the mysteries dissolve with a bit of biblical digging, though not all of them. There is an enduring question for me, and it seems to be answered differently in the various Gospels: How well, if at all, did Jesus knew people like Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip and Nathaniel or Matthew/Levi, before popping the question.
We should say “before popping the command,” actually. “Follow me!” is an imperative, not a question.
I actually start this story with part of the section just before. I think it tells kids something really useful if we see how all five of these people come to follow Jesus.
A Children’s Sermon on John 1:43-51
Good morning kids! I’m really glad that you are here in worship today. And you know what? I think God is glad you are here too. I’m especially glad you came up to hear the children’s sermon.
Today’s story from the Bible is from the Gospel of John. It is quite near the beginning of the book. Jesus was just about to start traveling around, teaching, and healing, and helping people.
Andrew and His Friend
Just before today’s story Jesus had found his first two followers.
A man named Andrew was standing with a friend. They were talking with John the Baptist.
John the Baptist saw Jesus coming and said, “Look! There’s Jesus! God sent Jesus to take away the sins of the whole world!”
“Wow!” said Andrew. “I’m going to go get to know this Jesus! See you later, John!”
Andrew and his friend liked Jesus a lot. That’s how they became his very first two followers.
That makes sense. Some people go looking for Jesus. When they find him, they want to stay close.
Simon Peter
Andrew went right away to find his brother, Simon.
“Simon!” Andrew said “Come with me! We found the guy the Prophets wrote about in the Bible! I’m sure he’s the Messiah sent to save us all!”
That’s how Simon became the third person to follow Jesus.
That makes sense. Some people who aren’t looking for Jesus, end up following him because a friend tells them about Jesus.
Philip
That’s when today’s story starts. The next day Jesus said “Let’s go to Galilee. There’s someone there I want to talk to.”
So, Jesus and his first three followers went to Galilee. Jesus looked and looked until he found who he was looking for.
“Hi Philip!” Jesus said. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I’d like you to follow me. Come and meet my friends!”
That’s how Philip became Jesus’ fourth follower.
That makes sense. Sometimes people follow Jesus because it seems like Jesus has gone looking for them first.
Nathaniel
“I’ll be right back!” Philip said. “I want to go tell my friend Nathaniel about you.”
When Philip found Nathaniel he said “Come and meet my new friend. I’m sure he’s the one Moses and the Prophets wrote about in the Bible!”
Nathaniel didn’t budge. He looked kind of doubtful. Maybe even a little grumpy.
“Who is this guy?” Nathaniel asked. “Where is he from?”
“His name is Jesus,” Philip said. “He grew up in Nazareth.”
“No way,” said Nathaniel. “He can’t be the Messiah. No prophet in the Bible ever even mentioned Nazareth.”
Philip was used to Nathaniel being grumpy. Philip just said “Come on. See for yourself.”
Philip brought Nathaniel and introduced him to Jesus.
“Hi Nathaniel,” Jesus said. Then he looked Nathaniel right in the eye and said “I know who you are. You are someone who always says what you really truly think. I like that.”
Nathaniel was kind of flustered. “How do you know me?”
“I’ve had my eye on you, Nathaniel,” said Jesus. “Before Philip found you I saw you sitting under that fig tree.”
Now Nathaniel was really surprised. “Wow!” he said. “Maybe you really are the Messiah!”
And that’s how, grumpy, doubting Nathaniel became Jesus’ fifth follower.
And that makes sense. Because sometimes people who have big questions eventually come and start to follow Jesus too.
Wondering
I wonder if you feel like you want to go find Jesus and follow him?
I wonder if it would be easier to follow Jesus if someone came to tell you about him?
I wonder if it ever feels like Jesus is coming to find you?
I wonder if you have big questions about Jesus?
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You are, of course, free to use this children’s sermon, or adapt it as you find most useful. But, if you use it, please do one (or more!) of the following.
- You can let me know that you are using it, either in the comments below, or using the contact form above.
- You can put a little notice in your church bulletin that your children’s sermon is adapted from one published on GaryNealHansen.com.
- You can support my work over on Patreon. (Just $1 per month brings my children’s sermons straight to your inbox about two minutes after they go live. And every little bit keeps me going…)
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