Children's Talks

[Schumacher]

Hey,

I'm preaching in a church on Sunday which has children's talks before the sermon. While we do have them in our church, I'm not a huge fan (I often see them as the preacher taking the oppotunity to make the adults laugh rather than teach the kids something, though I've seen plenty of good ones!). The problem is - I don't have a clue what to do, or how to pitch it. My sermon is on Fellowship, Unity and Service, and I would love to do something on that theme for the kids, to tie the whole service together for them. I'd also like to use some props to keep things interesting. Anybody have any resources, experience or ideas with something like this, as I'm clueless! My only experience with talks to kids is to mostly unchurched teenagers, which are obviously a very different audience! I trust God to provide, but I'm hoping he will use someone here to provide insight . Thanks!

[Diane 1611]

Hi Andy! As a mother (and someone who's done this kind of thing before), I think I'm qualified to assist you. :D:

The church we used to attend had these - they were called "sermonettes." It consisted of someone telling a story and then asking the children questions about the story. The minister did not do these sermonettes - someone else did, so you may want to check with the church you're preaching at to make sure you're going to have to do this. Someone else may be doing the children's talk and then you won't have to worry about it at all! :lol

In case you do have to do the children's talk, the first thing you need to ask is to what age group you're going to be aiming your talk to. The younger the age group, the simpler and shorter you need to keep your message. Younger children have a shorter attention span. The sermonettes I heard were for ages 4-9. Fellowship and unity are pretty heavy subjects for little kids to understand, but you could probably do something on service - perhaps on the Bible verses where Jesus said when you do something for the least of these, you do it for Me. Puppets would make a nice visual and wouldn't be too complicated for the children to follow. The Christian education leader at the church you're preaching at may be able to give you some suggestions. Your local Christian bookstore may also be able to give you some assistance.

When you do the children's talk, get on their level physically as well. Pull up a stool (no higher than 12" high) , sit on it and have the children sit on the floor around you. Maintain eye contact with the children. Speak in a pleasant tone of voice, but not too softly. You do want to be heard. :lol If you have a clip on microphone, you won't have a problem being heard. Don't talk down to them, but don't use words that they won't understand. Above all, act sincere. Children are great judges of character and they can spot a phony immediately.

Good luck! Let us know how it went. Maybe someone could find some web links for Andy to help him out?

[Deborah]

I don't know about props and stuff, but here is my current favorite. It has a bible reading and short story and some starts for discussion at the end:

http://cbh.gospelcom.net/keys/


This link is to a MASSIVE list of resources and ideas for Sunday School classes but I'm sure you'd be able to find something in here that can help you:

http://www.io.com/~lcowper/resources.html

[chel0524]

My pastor did these at a church I used to attend. We only left there due to travel constraints. I still miss that place.

Anyway, before the pastor started his sermon, he would ask all the kids to come up front. He had a large chair to the side that he would sit in. All the kids would gather around him on the floor. He would read a story from a childrens bible that had something to do with whatever his sermon was on that day. Then he would ask them a few questions or repeat a few key elements of the story to them. Then he pulled out a big ol' bowl of candy for them to pick something out of.

It always went well and the kids really looked forward to it.

[Schumacher]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help! I'll look through the resources tonight.

I emailed my Pastor and he said "Yeah, I always try to get somebody else to do them"!!! :lol