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Children’s Sermon

Mark 13:1-8

When Things Fall Apart

November 17, 2024

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Year B

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

Good morning!
I have some pictures that I’d like to show you.
And when I show you the picture, I want you to tell me if you think the thing in the picture you are looking at is new or old.
[Show 1st picture from .pdf] What do you think – is that new or old? (Old!)

You’re right! How could you tell? (Because it’s worn out and falling apart)

[Show 2nd picture from .pdf] What do you think – is that new or old? (Old!)

You’re right! How could you tell? (Because it’s worn out and falling apart)

[Show 3rd picture from .pdf] What do you think – is that new or old? (Old!)

You’re right! How could you tell? (Because it’s worn out and falling apart)

Thank you for your help – you were really good at telling if something was new or old!

TELL (a.k.a. The Freeway)

One of the reasons you could tell the things were old was because they were falling apart.
You obviously know that things fall apart, but in today’s scripture story, we heard that one of Jesus’ disciples forgot.
In today’s story, we heard that one of Jesus’ disciples was pretty excited about how great of a building the Temple was.
Jesus, though, told his disciple to not get too excited about it because, at some point, even the Temple would fall apart.

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

Now, Jesus didn’t say this to be mean.
Jesus knew that if the disciples only focused on the things that fall apart, like shoes, cars, and soccer balls AND if most of those things started to fall apart at the same time, then life could start to feel pretty scary and confusing.
Which is why Jesus was teaching his disciples to pay attention to the one thing that doesn’t ever fall apart – God!
Because then, while other things fell apart, the disciples would be paying attention to God’s wisdom that would then help the disciples know the best thing to do for themselves and others.
And the same thing that Jesus was teaching the disciples in today’s story is true for us, too.
When things fall apart, Jesus reminds us that God is always with us and is always wanting to help us know what to do for ourselves and others.
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…

…who reminds us that…

…in a world where things…

…don’t last forever…

…you are always with us.

Thank you and Amen

Originally posted November 8, 2015

Updated on October 15, 2024

Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia

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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: Show pictures (printed out or from phone screen) located at end of this .pdf

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