Resources for Christian Education

Adults

View next
Children’s Sermon

View previous

Children’s Sermon

John 1:43-51

Jesus Lets God’s Light In

January 14, 2024

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Lectionary Year B

PRINT page without images

VIEW the scripture

SAVE .pdf of message

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

Good morning!
I would like to talk with you about windows. Why do you think we have windows? [ To see into something; to see out of something ]
Hmm…why do you think that is useful? [ Because it allows us to see where otherwise there would just be a wall; it allows light in ]
Oh! So like the windows here in the sanctuary help us see outside and because we can see outside that also means the sunlight can get inside!
Well, then, it sounds like windows are pretty good and useful things, aren't they!?

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

In today’s scripture story, we hear Philip tell his friend, Nathanael, about Jesus.
At first, Nathanael isn’t nearly as excited about Jesus as Philip is, but Nathanael does agree to go and meet Jesus.
When Jesus and Nathanael meet, Jesus then says some things that help Nathanael know that Jesus really understands him.
It is almost like Jesus can see into Nathanael’s mind and read the thoughts he is thinking. And, Nathanael thinks that is pretty cool.
But then Jesus tells him, “If you think that’s cool, just wait until I help you see heaven open up!”
Nathanael agrees that that would be even more amazing and chooses to follow Jesus as a disciple.

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

What Jesus meant by “seeing heaven open up” is that if Nathanael or Philip or anyone else chooses to follow Jesus and learn what Jesus is teaching them, then they will be better able to see who God is and what God wants for us.
What I like about today’s story is the reminder that when the disciples follow Jesus and learn from him, Jesus is like a window that helps the disciples better see and know God.
But, the disciples don’t just learn from Jesus how to see. They also learn how to become a window that lets God’s light shine through them which helps even more people be able to see who God is.
And guess what!? It's not just the first disciples who could be windows that let God’s light shine into this world.
We, too, can choose to follow Jesus and learn what he taught the disciples about God.
And as we learn what Jesus taught, then we are learning how to be a window that shines God’s light into the world and helps other people see God better.
And that's the Good News for today. Let’s pray.

CLOSING Prayer

This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,

Thank you for Jesus…

…who lets your light…

…shine through him…

…which helps us see you better.

Please help us…

…to do the same for others.

Thank you and Amen.

Originally posted January 4, 2015

Updated on December 16, 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 you may not sell it or require any personal information for it.

Supplies: No supplies needed

Related message(s): N/A