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Children’s Sermon

John 3:14-21

How Jesus Helps Us See God

March 10, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Lectionary Year B

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

Good morning!
Have you ever played the game, “Made you look!” ?
Here’s how it works – I point over there, for instance, and say, “Look at those kangaroos! Do you see those kangaroos? Right over there by the kittens?”
And then, when you look over there, I’ll say, “Made you look!”
Or, I might point at your shirt, here, and say “Oh no! You’ve spilled something on your shirt!”
Then, when you look down, I would tap you on the your nose or chin and say, “Made you look!”
Have you ever played that game?
What do you think – are you supposed to look or not look in that game? (Not look….)
You are right – you are not supposed to look. Because if you look that means you were tricked by the other person, right?

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

In today's scripture passage, we are reminded that who Jesus was and the things Jesus did were meant to “make you look.” (In other words, “so must the Son of God be lifted up”)
However, when we look at what Jesus did, it is NOT because we were tricked… (In other words, “[Jesus] wasn’t sent to condemn the world”)
…instead, Jesus invites us to look at his words and actions so that we can learn from him what living in God’s kingdom looks like AND so we would learn how to live in God’s kingdom just like Jesus does (In other words, “that the world might be saved through him”)
And the reason he did those actions and shared his words of teaching was because he was filled with God’s love – love that supports and gives life. (In other words, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son.”).

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

We are also reminded in today’s scripture story that when we look to Jesus and learn about God from Jesus, then we, too, will shine with God’s love and light.
And, just like Jesus offered God’s love, healing, and forgiveness, we, too, are to offer God’s love, healing, and forgiveness (In other words, “those who do what is true come to the light”)
Then, when we shine God’s light and share God’s love with others, we are helping them better see God, just like Jesus helps us to better see God (In other words, “so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God")
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 helps us…

…see you better.

Help us to do the same for others.

Thank you and Amen

Originally posted February 28, 2015

Updated on February 17, 2024
Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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Supplies: No supplies needed. Note: Since this is purely theological passage (in other words, there is no story and therefore the approach is to reword the passage in a way that makes sense to the kids), I’ve put the corresponding passages in italics after the reworded messaging to help you know where I’m coming from.

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