Use this object lesson on Father’s Day to remind kids of how their Heavenly Father cares for them. This children’s sermon can be used with various Bible passages suggested below on the topic of the Fatherhood of God. Print the message notes below, watch our example video, and gather your supplies.
Children’s Sermon Object Lesson
Honoring our Heavenly Father on Dad’s Day
Main Objective: God cares for all people, and promises to provide for us and take care of us. Regardless of how much our earthly fathers love us, we can trust and hope in the fact that God is our wonderful and powerful Heavenly Father.
Law/Gospel Theme: We tend to think of a relationship with parents as one of obedience to rules, and sometimes might translate that to our relationship with God, as well. But we know that the Lord provides for us and works through us. If God provides for the birds of the air, we know He will provide for us. We can hope in His love and promises. He cares for us as a beloved Father, and considers us His children and heirs.
Optional Materials: Wilted plant (or picture of one); pictures of wildflowers or beautiful trees. (Feel free to adjust as desired.)
Bible Passage: Matthew 10:24-39, Romans 8:12-17; Matthew 6-7
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use your judgment and ideas to best serve students.
More Teaching Ideas for Father’s Day at Church
- Print our Father’s Day Sunday School Lesson
- Browse Popular Bible Verses for Father’s Day
- Download our Father’s Day Coloring Pages
- See a demonstration of this children’ sermon and more Father’s Day ideas on YouTube
Object Lesson Sermon for Kids: The Heavenly Father Cares for Us
Greet children, holding your wilting or near-death plant, or a picture of one.
Hello, children of God! Well, it looks like I’ve done it again…(hold up wilting plant) I just can’t seem to keep my plants alive! I’m not sure why…maybe I gave this too much water. Maybe I didn’t give it enough water. Maybe it was too hot, or too cold…I tried to provide for this plant, but it just didn’t grow and thrive like I hoped it would.
Well, I know someone else who has had a better time with plants. Look at this (hold up picture of beautiful blossoming wildflowers). Who takes care of these flowers? Do you know who goes out and waters them and helps them grow everyday? Is it a single person?
No…God cares for these! God planted them, watered them, and provides what they need. Look at that. These are just plants, and God takes care of them. And He does that for all of His creations. The Bible says He cares for birds and flowers, and those things aren’t nearly as important as God’s most beloved and precious creation, His people. Jesus reminded people that God was their loving Father, and they were made in His image. We can know that God will take care of us, no matter what.
You see, God loves each and every one of us as His children. He wants to care for us, just as a good father will take care of his kids. Hopefully, you have good fathers who will provide you with things that you need. But unfortunately, not everyone has a good father here on Earth. We can’t always trust people. We are humans, and we make mistakes, just like I messed up when I tried to keep this plant healthy. We can’t always do things just right.
But God, who dresses the wildflowers and feeds the birds, will always be there. God never messes up. He knows what all things need, and He knows what we need. God will always care for us. He loves us. Even if our fathers in life are not perfect, our father God is perfect. He asks us to call Him “daddy” and to come to Him in prayer. He loves us more than the flowers and the birds. He will forever love us and be present with us. Why don’t we thank Him for that love and blessing? Let’s say a prayer…
Children’s Prayer Moment
Dear God,
Thank you for caring for us
Your promises are true
We know you will always provide
Thank you for being our Father
Help us to trust in your Word
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses about Our Father God:
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. –Matthew 10:29-33
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
–Romans 8:14-17
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? –Matthew 6:26-30