Gary Neal Hansen

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A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 5:21-37

February 13, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 8 Comments

Matthew 5:23-37
Fight! CC by Aislinn Ritchee-SA 2.0

Developing a children’s sermon on Matthew 5:21-37 is challenging on two fronts. First, this passage is not a story. Second, it contains several distinct and difficult teachings.

Here he talks about four separate kinds of law. I think it is wise to take just one topic for a children’s sermon. That leaves the question of which topic.

  • I could take a bird’s eye view of the passage and talk about the law, or God’s rules, in general.
  • Or I could take just one of the four main issues in this passage.

All four are pretty grown-up stuff. One could conceivably deal with divorce or adultery, but there are more ways for these to go wrong than for them to be really helpful.

The preacher’s task is to find the issue that goes most directly to a child’s experience of life and a child’s life of faith. I think there is lots to work with in what Jesus says about the command against murder.

I’m not entirely sure whether this approach of inventing a narrative and using a dialogue works here. I’d love your thoughts on this.

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 5:21-37

One day Jesus was teaching his friends, and someone asked him about God’s rules for living. God’s rules for living had already been in the Bible for a long time. You’ve probably heard of some of them. Most people call them “The Ten Commandments.” Other people like to call them “the ten best ways to live” — and I think that’s a really good name for them.

So imagine the conversation:

Maybe Peter said, “I’m doing great at God’s rules for living. God said ‘You shall not commit murder.’  Well I’ve never murdered anyone! Cha-ching!”

Jesus said, “That’s a good start.”

Peter said, “Hey no fair! How come it’s just ‘a good start’? I did everything the rule said to do!”

Jesus said, “Yeah, I know. But think about it: Did you ever know of somebody that killed somebody?”

Peter shook his head.

But James said “I did! It was so sad. They had this big huge fight!”

Jesus asked, “Wow, that is sad. What kind of fight was it?”

James said, “They were just fighting. Like out in the street pushing and wrestling and hitting and stuff.”

Jesus said, “Ah, so fighting came before killing. Well what happened just before that?”

James said, “Well before they were hitting, they were calling each other names. One said ‘You’re an idiot!’ and the other said ‘Well you’re a jerk!”

Jesus said, “Okay, so first it was name calling, and then it was hitting, and then somebody got killed. What happened before that?”

James said, “Hmm… I don’t think they had spoken to each other in a long time. They were SOOOO mad at each other!”

Jesus said, “So first they were angry. Being angry led to name calling. Name calling led to fighting. And fighting lead to murder.”

James thought for a minute. Then he nodded. “Yep, that’s how it happened.”

“So Peter,” said Jesus, “If you want to really keep God’s rule against murder, what do you need to do?”

Peter thought for a minute. “I guess I need to avoid fighting.”

“And name calling” said James.

“And,” said Jesus, “If you get angry at someone, you need to find a way to make the relationship better again.”

Peter said, “That’s a lot harder than just not killing.”

Jesus said, “But when you think about it, it’s all part of the same thing: Steaming away in anger, calling someone names, fighting, and killing.”

++++++++++++

Feel free to use this children’s sermon if you’d like to. I’d love to hear how it goes if you do!

My online prayer class for Lent, “Focus on Prayer” will be taking new registrations the week leading up to Ash Wednesday. If you’d like me to let you know when it opens up, click here to get on the waiting list.

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Filed Under: Bible, Ministry Tagged With: 6th Sunday after Epiphany, Children's Sermons, Matthew 5:21-37, RCL Year A, Sermon on the Mount, Thou Shalt Not Murder

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Comments

  1. Christine says

    October 22, 2020 at 2:48 PM

    I love this! We have a puppet ministry and I think this is a great way to get a difficult message to young children! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Gary Neal Hansen says

      October 22, 2020 at 3:23 PM

      Thanks so much, Christine!

      I really am glad to know that you found this one useful. I was doing these weekly for a while but then life got a tad complicated… Hopefully I can get back to it.

      Blessings,

      Gary

      Reply
  2. Sue Downs says

    October 25, 2021 at 2:42 PM

    We are studying Matthew in BSF
    There are children ages 5 to 15 in my class. Your sermon give and take is perfect for all of them. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Gary Neal Hansen says

      October 25, 2021 at 3:29 PM

      That’s great, Sue! Thanks for letting me know.

      Hope you’ll stop by again—I’m doing a new children’s sermon every week.

      Blessings,

      Gary

      Reply
  3. Mari Anne V Hussen says

    January 26, 2023 at 4:48 PM

    I have used a few of your children’s sermons in our online family talk. You can check them out at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV9ZoTQqn-s8Vnqx3KMBUtgAl-Zvht06Y. They are very helpful to teach some of those lessons like this one. It will be posted Feb 12th. Thank you for these great resources.

    Reply
    • Gary Neal Hansen says

      January 29, 2023 at 12:09 PM

      Thanks Mari Anne —

      I’m so glad you’ve found them helpful. Blessings on your ministry with the kids!

      Come back soon…

      Gary

      Reply
  4. Gloria says

    February 4, 2023 at 1:24 PM

    I am about to start doing children’s sermons and just found you. So grateful for your work and your sharing of it. I look forward to delving in!
    Gloria

    Reply
    • Gary Neal Hansen says

      February 4, 2023 at 2:54 PM

      That’s great, Gloria!

      I pray God’s blessing on you as you invite the kids into the world of Jesus.

      Please keep in touch!

      Gary

      Gary

      Reply

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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