Resources for Christian Education

rfour.org logo
Free Workshop Rotation Model Lessons - Season 2

Children’s Sermon

Matthew 5:1-12


Blessed


January 29, 2023

4th Sunday after Epiphany

Lectionary Year A


PRINT page without images

VIEW the scripture


SAVE .pdf of message

ASK    (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

  • Does anyone here have a dog or a cat?
  • Yeah? And do you think your dog or cat loves you?
  • How do you know? (listen to answers)
  • Those are all very endearing answers, but I have a question -- do you think there are certain times during the day when a cat or dog loves its owner, loves you, more than other times?
  • That may seem like an odd question, but I ask it because my dog [if you don’t have a dog, say "when I had a dog" or "my friend's dog"] seems to love me a lot more whenever I am eating something.
  • I mean – the minute I start eating, my dog sits next to me and looks at me with the nicest, most-attentive, most-loving eyes.
  • It's very sweet. I’m pretty sure she's wanting to make sure I don't choke.
  • What do you think - do you think she's paying so much attention to me because she wants to make sure that I chew very carefully? (No!)
  • No!?!? Oh…well…why do you think she seems to really care about me when I'm eating, then? (because she's hoping you'll drop some food or give her some food)
  • Oh…I see! You think my dog loves me more when I am eating because I'm doing something that she also likes and wants to participate in!?


TELL    (a.k.a. The Freeway)

  • You know, it's interesting that my dog likes me more when she is wanting the same thing that I'm wanting because that's a lot like what we hear in today's scripture passage.
  • In today’s passage, we hear Jesus say that certain people are blessed.
  • Now, the word "blessed" can mean a couple of things.
  • One thing it can mean is that God is really close to us.
  • Jesus then lists some people who are blessed – or “close to God.”
  • And I think one thing that all those people have in common is that they all want something that God wants, too.
  • For instance, the peacemakers want peace, just like God does.
  • The merciful want mercy, just like God does.
  • And then there are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, just like God does.


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

  • God is with us all the time.
  • But, in today's scripture passage, Jesus is reminding us that when we are wanting the same things that God is wanting for us and the world, then that is a way that we better know how and feel how God is with us.
  • And, the more we know how God is with us, the better able we are to receive God's help to make those things happen in the world that both God and us want to see happen.
  • This is the good news for today. Let's pray.


CLOSING Prayer

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

Dear God…

Dear God…


Thank you for Jesus…

Thank you for Jesus…


…who reminds us…

…who reminds us…


…that wanting what you want…

…that wanting what you want…


…is a blessing we can share with the world.

…is a blessing we can share with the world.


Thank you and Amen.  



Originally posted January 28, 2014
Updated on January 1, 2023
Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia



View more children’s sermons here


This material is the copyrighted property of rfour.org and Nathanael Vissia. It is also free. Please use, improve and share this material. But do not sell it or require any personal information for it.

Supplies: No supplies needed

Related message(s): N/A