Using objects as props in an attempt to use the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153object lesson\u00e2\u20ac\u009d approach is misguided and inappropriate. Children are concrete thinkers and are unable to think that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153one thing is like another.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d In their minds an object is what it is, it is not \u00e2\u20ac\u0153like\u00e2\u20ac\u009d something else. A tree is a tree, an egg is an egg, a key is a key, and a bell is a bell\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthey are not both a bell and a metaphor for something else. Because children are concrete-operational thinkers, they cannot process symbols deeply, so a cross is a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153sign\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and not a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153symbol.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Baptism is a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153sign,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and not a symbol (read Jung if this concept doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make sense to you).<\/p>\n
2. Never, ever<\/em>, begin your children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon with a question. <\/strong><\/p>\n Beginning your sermon by asking a question:<\/p>\n 3. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t focus on concepts; rather, focus on feelings.<\/strong><\/p>\n A child\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s faith world is a world of feelings: happy, hurt, sad, angry, scared, confused, uncertain, excited, feeling safe, loved, cared for\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthis is what a child \u00e2\u20ac\u0153knows.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Children do not know nor are concerned with abstract concepts: redemption, salvation, justice, loyalty, courage, predestination, supralapsarianism, etc. When telling your children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon, focus on feelings\u00e2\u20ac\u201didentify them, acknowledge them, illustrate them, talk about them. Other feelings that help children grasp the experience of faith are wonder, awe, delight, anticipation, and thankfulness. <\/p>\n 4. When giving a children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon, just tell the STORY!<\/strong><\/p>\n Children need narrative\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe Story\u00e2\u20ac\u201din order to make meaning of their experience and feelings. Your children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon should primarily be a story. When telling the story, TELL THE STORY, do NOT interpret the story for the children! Do not end your children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon by saying, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now, this means that\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n Children don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need you to TELL them what something means\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthey just need the story. Stories let you focus on feelings and wonder (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wonder how s\/he felt when\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d). Do not be concerned about telling a Bible story over and over again\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe more familiar the story, the better (this is why children beg parents to read that bedtime book for the 1000th time. They never get tired of it because they NEED the narrative to make meaning).<\/p>\n 5. The pastor needs to deliver the children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon.<\/strong><\/p>\n As with all sermons, the children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon serves a function. One important function of the children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon is to give the children in the church exclusive access to the primary god-figure in their faith communities. For most children in your church, this time with the pastor will be the only time they have an exclusive time with and access to the pastor, their church\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s spiritual leader. We tell children that they can pray and go to God any time they need\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand yet we teach them that the pastor, the primary god-figure in the church, is not accessible to them. Which do you think they really come to believe? Comments like, “I’m not good at it; my staff member is better at it,” or, “I’m not comfortable around children,” or, “I need to focus on the main sermon” are what I call “excuses.” The bottom line is that the pastor needs to do this because it is a pastoral FUNCTION. <\/p>\n This is not to say that no one else can ever be allowed to give the children’s sermon. On ocassion there may be a good reason for a staff person or even a guest to deliver the children’s sermon. But there should be a good reason (purpose) for it and it should be the exception and not the rule. <\/p>\n 6. The children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon is for the children\u00e2\u20ac\u201dnot for the benefit of the adult audience. <\/strong><\/p>\n Do not \u00e2\u20ac\u0153use\u00e2\u20ac\u009d children for the entertainment of the adult congregation. You will only confuse the children, and they will \u00e2\u20ac\u0153get it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d that you are not really talking to them\u00e2\u20ac\u201din effect, they know that you are ignoring them and using them rather than talking to them. Theologically and liturgically, using the children’s sermon as a way to communicate with the adults or as a way to entertain them turns them from being a “congregation” to an “audience.” <\/p>\n 7. Sit with the children. Do not stand towering over them.<\/strong><\/p>\n 8. Use a conversational tone of voice, but don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153talk down\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to them. Take your cue from Mr. Rogers.<\/strong><\/p>\n 9. End your children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon with prayer. <\/strong><\/p>\n Teach children the proper posture of reverence for prayer (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s close our eyes, bow our heads, and fold our hands.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d). Your prayer should be no more than three sentences long.<\/p>\n 10. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be droll or use sarcasm when talking to children. <\/strong><\/p>\n Young children cannot handle sarcasm. They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t understand it and are confused by it. When an adult uses sarcasm or tries to be “clever” or “droll” with children it’s an indication that the adult is anxious and more focused on him or herself than on what the children need. <\/p>\n I recently visited a church in which a staff member did the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sermon\u00e2\u20ac\u009d during the morning worship service. It was all I could do to keep from moaning and cringing. This staff member broke all of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for … Continue reading \n
<\/a>
\n“Never test the depth of the water with both feet.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"