Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Ministry

A Children’s Sermon on John 11:1-45 — The Raising of Lazarus

March 27, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

This is the fourth lectionary Gospel in a row that is a very long encounter with Christ from John. However writing a children’s sermon on John 11:1-45 is much easier than it was on Nicodemus, the woman at the well, or the healing of the man born blind. That’s because there is much more action in […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry Tagged With: Children's Sermon, Grief, John 11:1-45, Raising of Lazarus

A Children’s Sermon on John 9:1-41 — Jesus Heals a Man Blind from Birth

March 19, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

The story of the healing of the man born blind is another very long one. That adds to the challenge of basing a children’s sermon on John 9:1-41. It isn’t that the content is complex or obscure. It s just that the one story has about six different scenes. With a Gospel text, I often […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry Tagged With: 4 Lent, Children's Sermon, Healing of the man born blind, John 9:1-41, RCL Year A

A Children’s Sermon on John 4:5-42, The Woman at the Well

March 14, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

John 4:5-42

There are a couple major challenges to writing a children’s sermon on John 4:5-42, the story of “the woman at the well.” First, the conversation is long and convoluted. It is not confusing, but it keeps taking twists and turns as Jesus tries to redirect her to what matters most for her salvation. It is […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry Tagged With: Children's Sermon, John 4:5-42, RCL Year A, Woman at the Well

A Children’s Sermon on John 3:1-17

March 6, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

John 3:1-17

Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus is fascinating, but what is the best way to introduce it in a children’s sermon? My first inclination with a Gospel text is to tell the story. But this scene has very little narrative action: Nicodemus and Jesus just sit there and talk. A conversation can have its own flow and […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry Tagged With: John 3:1-17, Lent 2, Nicodemus, RCL Year A, Spirit

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 4:1-11

February 28, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Matthew 4:1-11

As with many passages, writing a children’s sermon on Matthew 4:1-11 is made challenging by the sheer amount of weighty detail, and the theological puzzles. Do I discuss all three temptations? Complicated. Do I try to explain the concept of temptation? Pretty vague. Do I discuss the paradox of God in the flesh experiencing temptation […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry Tagged With: Children's Sermon, Lent 1, Matthew 4:1-11, RCL Year A

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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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