Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Children’s Sermons

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Is it Gospel?

June 7, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

is it gospel

Dear ______: Thanks for asking me to clarify. I said something about how children’s sermons often reveal a preacher’s real theology, for good or for ill. I suspect it is because pastors do not think of the children’s sermon as a sermon. They think of it more as a conversation. If they have a warm, […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Theology, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, grace vs. works, Letters to a Young Pastor, Telling children the gospel

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — One Salient Point

May 3, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

one salient point

Dear ______: I hear your objection to preaching a children’s sermon that is rooted in the main text you are preaching to the grown-ups. But I don’t think it is really a problem. Yes, some parts of Scripture are kind of “R-rated” or at least “PG-13.” But how often (really, let’s be honest here) do […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, One Salient Point, When Scripture is PG-13

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Preaching on Other Topics

April 26, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

preaching on other topics

Dear ______: Yes, you are right, of course. I too have heard some really good children’s sermons that are on topics other than the biblical text behind the grown-ups sermon. I’ve even preached some. Good Practice, Not Unbendable Law When I said that the biblical text of the morning should be the topic of your […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, Choosing your topic, Letters to a Young Pastor

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Picking Your Topic

April 19, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

Picking Your Topic

Dear ______: Okay, I promised some input on the actual contents of your children’s sermons. I hope you don’t mind the extended rant about problems to avoid, but your actions are as much a witness to Christ (or, God forbid, a witness against him) as your words. That counts when preaching to grown-ups as well […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, Picking Your Topic

Yes, Children, There Is a Santa Claus. Really.

December 6, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 21 Comments

When I was a pastor, one Sunday in Advent I called the kids forward for the children’s sermon. I told my three-to-seven-year-old congregation Today I’m going to tell you the truth about Santa Claus. Usually the kids were pretty wriggly. This time the parents were squirming. Here is what I told them. Long, long ago, […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Saints Tagged With: Advent, Bishop Nicholas, Children's Sermons, Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus

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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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