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Children’s Sermon

Luke 21:5-19


When Things Fall Apart


November 13, 2022

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Lectionary Year C


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ASK    (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

  • Good morning!
  • I have, here, some building blocks.
  • And what I’m going to do is use these blocks to build a nice looking building.
  • [build a pretty/artistic building that is also highly unstable with your blocks]
  • What do you think? It looks pretty good, don’t you think?
  • But even though it looks pretty good, it’s not a long-lasting type of building, is it?
  • What do you think will happen if I shake the board this is built on?
  • You think it will fall over?
  • Let’s find out! [shake board slightly until the building falls down]
  • Yep, you were right. It was a pretty building, but not very solid or long-lasting.


TELL    (a.k.a. The Freeway)

  • In today’s scripture story, Jesus and his disciples are in Jerusalem where the Temple was located.
  • And the disciples are excited about seeing the Temple.
  • They think the Temple is a pretty amazing building!
  • But even though the Temple was much prettier AND better built than my little building, Jesus tells the disciples in today’s story that it was going to fall over – just like my building did.
  • This must have sounded pretty scary to the disciples because…
  • …when we are told things are going to be gone much sooner than we think they should last (like buildings), then that can make us feel unsure and afraid.


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

  • But what Jesus then teaches the disciples is that even though things like my little building and big buildings like the Temple do not last forever…  
  • …God DOES last forever.
  • Which means when things are falling down or falling apart, God is and always will be with us while it happens.
  • One of the ways that Jesus tells the disciples how God is always with us is by giving us words to share with others as well as wisdom about how to respond in the moment.
  • Even in really scary situations when it feels like everything is falling apart, in today’s story, Jesus reminds his disciples (and us) that God is with us.
  • And, because God is with us in those scary moments, then God can help us know what to do and how to respond.
  • This is the good news for today – let’s pray.


CLOSING Prayer

  • This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,

Dear God,


Thank you that…

Thank you that…


…in a world where things…

…in a world where things…


…don’t last forever…

…don’t last forever…


…you are always with us.

…you are always with us.


Thank you and Amen



Originally posted November 8, 2013
Updated on October 13, 2022
Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia



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Supplies: Have 5 or so building blocks that can be stacked on top of each other in a less than stable way (I like blocks from the game of Jenga, personally).  Also, you’ll want a hard, flat surface (like a board of some sort) to build on.

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