Preface for Pastors and Parents
Here is my children’s sermon on John 14:23-29. This is one of two Gospel readings in the lectionary for the 6th Sunday of Easter in Year C, but the other will wait for another time.
John 14 gets used in various pieces at various times. And since John is never any year’s main Gospel, parts appear in different years. When I’ve done all those parts I’ll be able to give them to you as a sort of series.
Someday…
The challenge with this text is that it isn’t a narrative with action. This passage is part of one of Jesus’ long speeches. I’ll have to at least turn it into a conversation to create some interest as a story.
You can take a look at this Children’s Sermon on John 14:23-29 and let me know what you think.
A Children’s Sermon on John 14:23-29
Good morning kids! I’m so glad to see you this morning. Thank you for coming up to hear the children’s sermon.
Before I begin, I want to wish you a very happy Easter!
On Good Friday, Jesus died on the cross. But on Easter Sunday he was back alive again.
Having Jesus back alive again is such amazing good news that every year we celebrate it for seven whole weeks.
Today is the sixth Sunday of Easter.
A Special Dinner
Back before Easter, just before Good Friday, Jesus knew he would die soon. He wanted to have one last special time with his very best friends.
They had dinner together, and Jesus told his friends lots of things. He wanted them to know that he would be dying soon. He knew they would be sad. But he thought he could find a way to comfort them.
Here how I picture Jesus telling his friends some of those comforting things.
Some Special Gifts
When Jesus said he was going away—that he was going to die—all of Jesus’ friends were very sad. Some were crying. Some just sat there with their eyes wide and their mouths open. But nobody could say anything.
Jesus looked at them, with his big brown eyes all full of love, and he said, “Oh, you guys, I know you’re sad. I know its hard to think about me dying. But when I’m gone you’ll be getting some very special gifts from God.”
Gift Number One
“But Jesus,” said Mary Magdalene, “We don’t want gifts. We just want you! Please stay with us!”
“Mary,” said Jesus, “I have a big surprise for you. In a way I’m going to give you exactly what you asked. After I die and go to be with my Father, we are going to come and make our home with you!”
“With me?” said Mary.
“With all of you!” said Jesus, “My Father and I will live with everyone who tries to do the things I’ve been teaching you.”
“Will we see you?” Asked Mary. “I’m kind of confused, since you said you were going to be gone.”
“No, you won’t see me,” said Jesus. “But I’ll be there. And so will my father. Always,”
“Thank you!” said Mary Magdalene.
Gift Number Two
“That sounds great, Jesus,” said John, “but I’m still kind of worried about something. You know, I was thinking about writing a book about you. I want to call it The Good News.”
“Hey, I’m gonna write a book about Jesus too,” said Matthew. “You’d better say ‘according to John,’ because mine’s gonna be The Good News According to Matthew.”
Jesus smiled and said “That sounds like a great idea, guys! So, what are you worried about?”
“I’m afraid I won’t remember everything,” said John.
“Me too!” said Matthew.
John said. “What if I leave out some important thing you did or said?”
Jesus said, “That reminds me of the second gift I’m going to send you. My Father and I are sending you the Holy Spirit!”
“What’s that?” said John.
“The Holy Spirit is God,” Jesus. “Just like my father and I are One God, the Spirit is One with us too.”
John still looked doubtful. “How will that help, exactly?”
Jesus said, “One of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to remind you of all the things I’ve taught you. The Holy Spirit will lead you into the truth.”
“Thanks!” said John and Matthew.
Gift Number Three
“I’m scared of other things,” said Peter. “Just remembering what you taught me may not be enough.”
“Can you tell me what’s worrying you?” Jesus asked.
“Yeah!” said Peter. “You said all kinds of scary things would happen in the world. Wars. Earthquakes. Famines. People being mean to each other. Of course I’m scared!!”
“That reminds me of the third gift that I want to give you,” Jesus said.
“What is it?” Peter asked.
“Peace,” said Jesus. “I’m giving you my very own peace. I want you to be able to have peace no matter how bad things seem around you.”
“But how do I get that peace?” Peter asked.
“You can start by always remembering my first two gifts,” Jesus said. “I am with you, even if you can’t see me. My Father is with you too. And if you forget, the Holy Spirit is with you to remind you.”
“Thanks!” said Peter.
Gift Number Four
“I don’t know,” said Thomas, who always was a little hard to convince. “I don’t know if I can believe in all these invisible gilts.”
“That’s okay,” said Jesus. “My fourth gift is something I’m giving you right now. I’m telling you these things now, before they happen. That way, when they do happen, you can remember and believe.”
“Thanks,” said Thomas. “I guess.”
Wondering
I wonder whether it ever seems hard for you to believe the things Jesus says?
I wonder if you’ve ever wished you could feel peace when things are upsetting?
I wonder how it feels to hear that Jesus, and his Father, and the Holy Spirit are with you?
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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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