Freedom in Christ (John 8:31-37) Children's Sermon

The following sermon can be taught on or around the Fourth of July holiday – or any time of year. The focus of this sermon is on the freedom we have in Christ.  He can set us free from the bondage of sin!  It is based upon the passage from John 8:31-37.

Sermon for Kids: Freedom in Christ

Today is an important day in our country when we celebrate the freedom we have living in America.  In this country we are free to say what we choose, go to church where we choose, be friends with whoever we choose, and go to school where we choose.  America is an amazing country to live in because we have so many freedoms here!  But there is an even more exciting freedom that we call all have!  We can have incredible freedom through Jesus Christ!
Turn in your Bibles to John 8:31-37. (Pause to allow time for the children to find the passage in their own Bibles).  I will read out loud and you follow along with me in your own Bible.  “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’  They answered him, ‘We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone.  How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?’  Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’”
We are all sinners!  At one time every one of us in this room has sinned.  Maybe you have told a lie, maybe you have called your brother or sister a bad name, maybe you have not obeyed what your parents or teacher told you to do or maybe you have thought a mean thought about another kid in your class.  Every one of us in this room is a sinner and is therefore a slave to sin.  When we are a slave to sin it means we know the right thing to do, but we don’t want to do the right thing.  We are stuck in our sin and we are not free.
But, Jesus can set us free from our sin! He can give us a greater freedom than we could ever have on earth or by living in America.  Jesus sets us free from our sin when we admit we are a sinner and want to sin less.  He lived a perfect life and then died on the cross taking the punishment for our sins in our place.  When we believe Jesus is the truth and what He did for us is true then we will be set free.  The Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts giving us freedom from our sin and then we want to do what is right.
When we believe and follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, then we are given eternal freedom from our own sin.  When Jesus sets us free from sin, we will for all eternity be free indeed!
Sermon Follow-up Questions for Small Group Discussion:

1. What does freedom mean?
2. What did Jesus do to give people freedom from their sin?
3. What are some things you have done that show you are a sinner who needs Jesus?
4. What is it like to have freedom in Jesus?
5. How can you use what you learned today to tell someone else about Jesus?

Need More Ideas? Then read about using the Wordless Book to share Christ with Kids. You can also read all our posts that discuss children and salvation.