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Children’s Sermon

Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist Says “Repent”

December 4, 2022

Second Sunday in Advent

Lectionary Year A

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Supplies: Two magnets - preferably larger and differently colored (from each other) for viewing clarity.

Related message(s): N/A

ASK (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

Good morning!
[Hold up two magnets] Can you tell me what these are?
That's right! They are magnets.
Can you tell me what magnets do?
That's also right! They stick to metal (and attract metal items).
Also, sometimes, they stick to each other.
Like this [show the two magnets connecting to each other]
But, if one of the magnets is facing the other way, do you know what happens then?
Right again! When the magnets aren’t facing each other in a certain way, then the two magnets no longer connect, like this...
[ flip one of the magnets around and try to put them together ]
Can you see what's happening? [ wait for answers ]
Yep, the two magnets just will NOT stay together. In fact, do you see how they push away from each other?
[ If you want, let some of the kids try to put them together ]

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

Keep this idea of the magnets having to face each other a certain way to connect in mind while we talk about today’s scripture story.
Because, in today's scripture story, we hear about John the Baptist who is telling the Israelites to get ready (or prepare) for the Lord (meaning: Jesus).
John tells the people that one of the ways to prepare for Jesus is by "repenting."
The Greek word that we translate into English as "repent" is called "metanoia."
Can you repeat that word after me? metanoia
"Metanoia" is a fancy sounding word, but it simply means, "To turn around"
John is telling the people to turn around because, just like the magnets, if the people aren't facing the right way, then they will have trouble connecting to Jesus. [ show the magnets repelling each other ]
And John the Baptist doesn't want that to happen.

SHARE the Good News (a.k.a. The Destination)

Instead, John is trying to get the people to turn around so that they will be facing the right way to connect with Jesus once Jesus starts his ministry.
And, John also says that if the people do connect with Jesus [show the magnets connecting to each other] then they will also receive God's Holy Spirit.
God's Holy Spirit is what helps the people from the Bible stories (and all of us here today, including you and me) share God's healing, blessing and abundance with those around us.
This is the Good News for today – when we turn our attention toward Jesus, like John the Baptist reminded others and us to do, then we can better connect with Jesus, who then helps us to better receive God’s Holy Spirit.

CLOSING Prayer

Let’s pray. This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,

Help us to turn our attention to Jesus…

…so that we can better connect with Jesus…

…and better receive your Holy Spirit.

Thank you and Amen.

Originally posted November 29, 2013
Updated on November 3, 2022
Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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