Children’s Sermon: Freedom from Sin through Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)

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Use this children’s sermon object lesson to teach about Freedom from Sin. It’s perfect for the 4th of July or any other patriotic holiday. Download the message notes below and watch our example object lesson as you prepare.

“Happy Independence Day”

Children’s Sermon on Freedom from Sin through Jesus Christ

Main Objective: In the United States, freedom is a valued concept. The Fourth of July is celebrated yearly with great enthusiasm, as Americans honor independence and remember what it means to be free…in theory, anyway. It also turns into an excuse for barbecues and fireworks, but the primary purpose involves national pride. This message uses the holiday as a launching point to discuss what it means that we are free in Jesus. Not only do we have freedom from sin, we also have free will to choose following the Lord. He does not force our love, but offers His as a free and beautiful gift that will improve and enhance our lives.

Law/Gospel Theme: God is not a forceful and controlling master, but a loving one. He desires our commitment, but gives us the free will to choose whether or not we accept Him. In Christ, we can let go of the burdens of sin and worry, and allow Him to carry our loads. In Him we are promised newness of life and provision. Why wouldn’t we want such blessings?

Optional Materials / Object Lesson Props: Patriotic gear and decorations (flags, stars, etc.); heavy backpack or other weighty cumbersome items; Bible.

Bible Passage: Galatians 5:1; Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 6:22-23; 1 Peter 2:16

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 the 4th of July

Children’s Sermon: Freedom from Sin through Jesus Christ

Greet children, perhaps with festive July 4th decorations or flags…

Hello, children of God!

Happy Fourth of July!!! It’s Independence Day! What does that mean, do you think? What are we celebrating on this holiday, anyway? (Allow for responses)

Well, when we honor the independence we have as a nation, we usually talk about how awesome it is that America is its own country, not ruled by another country. We have freedom in the United States to make choices. We can choose how we worship, where we attend church, where we go to school, what we want to wear…we have rights to live as free people.

Well, what do you think it means to have freedom in Christ? There are a couple of very important things that we celebrate when we discuss our freedom as Christians:
For one thing, God gives us choices. He loves us and He wants us to love Him, but He doesn’t force it. He gives us the free will to obey or disobey Him.

Yet, it really makes a lot more sense to choose to put our trust in Him, because in Him we have freedom from sin! When we do things that our wrong, it sort of tangles up our lives. God offers to set us free from that, and give us joy instead. You see, Jesus wants to help us and make our lives better. He promises to give us rest and peace, if we will allow Him to.

Have you ever carried a backpack? Maybe you have one like this (hold up bag or backpack, if using) for school. This one is pretty heavy. It can be quite tiring to carry this around all day.

Now, let’s say I had a teacher who offered to carry it for me. If my teacher gave me the choice of hauling the big backpack, or letting someone else do it, wouldn’t it make sense to choose the lighter load? Why would I insist on doing it all myself, if someone was willing to help?

Well, that’s what Jesus does for us. He offers to carry our burdens. We can get tired out because we worry, and we think that we need to do things all on our own. We try to carry our own struggles, or we think that we somehow need to earn our salvation from God. But Jesus gives it freely. There’s nothing we have to do, except trust Him and willingly let go of our cares.

He won’t make us do it. We are free to continue carrying the weight of our guilt and sin and shame, to feel fatigued by our stresses. That doesn’t sound like a great way to live, does it? Isn’t it a blessing that we can let Jesus take care of things and bear our burdens for us? He promises rest, and gives us free lives, now and forever. That’s even better than fireworks!

Why don’t we say a prayer of thanks to God, and let Him know that we trust Him to carry our burdens?

Children’s Prayer Moment

Dear God,
Thank you for giving us freedom from sin
Thank you for carrying our burdens and giving us life
Help us to trust you and cast our cares on you
Remind us what it means to be free in Christ
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!

Bible Verses/story to Reference:

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” –Matthew 11:28-30

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. -1 Peter 2:16

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 6:22-23

1 thought on “Children’s Sermon: Freedom from Sin through Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)”

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