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Children’s Sermon

John 15:1-8

Jesus Is The Vine

April 28, 2024

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Lectionary Year B

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

Good morning!
[hold up the piece of wood]
Hey, look at what I found! Any guesses what I’m going to do with this? [listen to a few answers]
Those are all good ideas, but I’m going to do something even more exciting than what you were thinking. I’m going to plant this in the ground and water it until it grows into a tree!
[pause to see if anyone tells you that you can’t do that]
What kind of tree do you think will grow from this item? [pause for answers about how no tree can grow from your item; this is where your volunteer student would speak up if no one else does.]
So let me make sure I understand -- you're telling me that this piece of wood won’t ever grow into a tree no matter how much sun it receives or how nutritious the soil is? (YES!)
Oh. Can you tell me why? (because it's dead and has no seeds)

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

I'm glad that you are so smart about trees and branches because you just saved me from a lot of disappointment!
Also, this is the very thing that Jesus is talking about in today's scripture story!
In today’s scripture story, we hear Jesus talk about how a branch is supposed to grow and bear fruit for the vine or tree that it belongs to.
But, for that branch to grow and bear fruit, it must remain attached to the vine or tree.
Because, if the branch was removed from the tree, what would happen?
That’s right – the branch wouldn’t be able to receive water and food from the tree and the branch would die.
And if the branch was separated from the tree and died, what else wouldn’t it be able to do? (It wouldn’t be able to grow or bear fruit or leaves).

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

One of the reasons Jesus is talking about trees, branches, and fruit is because Jesus wants us to think about how we are like branches and that he is like a tree.
Jesus wants us to remember that when we stay connected to him, then like branches on a tree, we are better able to receive (and then share) God’s love, healing, and forgiveness.
But, Jesus is also reminding us that it is possible for us to become separated from him.
However, unlike this [say name of item and hold it up], if ever we do become disconnected from Jesus, that does not mean we’re disconnected forever.
Instead, we can and are invited to reconnect with Jesus.
Then, when we are connected / reconnected with Jesus, we are able to receive all the same gifts that Jesus receives from God.
Which also means we can share those same gifts of love, healing, and forgiveness with the people around us.

And that is the good news for today: Let’s pray.

CLOSING Prayer

This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,

Thank you for Jesus…

…who invites us…

...to connect with him…

...to connect with him...

...and receive your gifts…

…that we can then share with others.

Thank you and Amen

Originally posted April 19, 2015

Updated on March 31, 2024

Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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Supplies: You will need a piece of wood that is obviously wood AND 100% dead (like a 2x4, a yard stick, a broom handle, a pencil, etc). Optional: Before worship service, ask an older student for their help to tell you during the children’s sermon that a tree can’t grow from the item you chose to use.

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