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Children’s Sermon

Matthew 10:40-42

Gifts That Keep Giving

July 2, 2023

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Year A

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

Good morning!
Can you tell me a song that you know all the words to? [listen to the answers]
I have a song I know, too! It’s [give name of song you know that the kids probably know, too]
Would anyone be willing to teach me how to sing the song that they know? Maybe just the first line or two? [If no one is willing, offer to teach them your song]
That was great – well done, everyone!
One of the things I really appreciate about songs is to be able to listen to someone sing it. Listening to someone sing is a gift of sound.
But then, especially if the song is easy, that person who can sing the song can also teach you and me how to sing it, too – which means we can sing the song whenever we want to hear it!
And, once you and I are able to sing it, that also means we can teach others how to sing the song, too!
Songs, then, are gifts that keep on giving. We can share them in different ways and teach others how to share them, too.

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

In today’s scripture story, Jesus is talking to his disciples about another type of gift that keeps on giving.
Instead of singers and the songs they share, Jesus is instead talking about prophets and the words they share.
In Jesus' time, people who shared God's words with others were called "prophets."
But prophets didn’t just share words, they also shared God's love, healing, and forgiveness.
And, in today's scripture story, Jesus is telling his disciples that when they welcome prophets into their homes and lives, then they will be receiving the gifts that the prophet shares with others.
But, offering God’s words, love, healing, and forgiveness aren’t the only gifts a prophet shares.

Jesus reminds the disciples that a prophet can also teach them how they too can share God’s words, love, and healing.

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

Just like a singer can share a song by singing it AND by teaching it to us, so too can a prophet share God’s words, love, healing and forgiveness with others AND teach others how to do the same thing.
Jesus does the same thing as the prophets he talks about.
In many other stories, Jesus shares God’s words, love, healing, and forgiveness with the people around him.
Jesus also teaches his disciples how to receive God’s words, love, healing, and forgiveness so that they can share God's love, healing, and words just like he did.
And, just like the disciples, we are invited to learn from Jesus how to receive God’s words, love, healing, and forgiveness , so that we can then share God’s words, love, healing, and forgiveness.
Once we start sharing those gifts with others, then we, too, are helping give the gifts from God that keep on giving.
And that's the good news for today. Let’s pray.

CLOSING Prayer

This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,
Dear God,

Thank you for Jesus…

Thank you for Jesus…

…who teaches us…

…how to be your gift…

…by receiving and then sharing…

…your forgiveness, healing, and love.

Thank you and Amen

Originally posted June 24, 2017
Updated on June 4, 2023

Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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