It is important for children to know that God provides us with the strength and ability to do all things. Just as He called Old Testament prophets, He calls all of us to share His messages with those around us. This message uses an example of how we sometimes need help saying and doing things to demonstrate God’s help in all areas of our lives. He provides the words to say and means to communicate those words. He will always be there for us when we ask!
Law/Gospel Theme: God enables and equips us to do His work. He has a special task for each and every one of His children, and has known us before we were even born! We sometimes think that our salvation or spiritual merit depend on things that we do, but the truth is that Jesus takes care of that for us. We don’t always know what to say or how to fulfill God’s plan for us, but He promises to help us and give us all we need.
Optional Materials: Piece of paper or “scroll” with Scripture passages written; (optional) some sort of simple object to pass and hold.
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 1:4-10
More Teaching Ideas
- Watch the video of this children’s sermon lesson and Bible craft ideas
- Compare the Story of Jeremiah Sunday School Lesson
- Compare our full Jeremiah 1:4-10 Sunday School Lesson
- Compare another children’s Bible Lesson on the calling of Jeremiah
- Download our Book of Jeremiah coloring page and calling of the Prophet Jeremiah comic
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.
Children’s Sermon Leson (Jeremiah 1:4-10) The Calling of Jeremiah
Greet children and ask a few questions…
Hello, children of God! I have a little pop quiz for you today. That means I am going to ask you to do or explain some things, and I’d like to get some responses. Are you ready? So here’s the first question: where are you going to be in fifteen years? What will you be doing? Where will you be living? (Allow responses). Hmm, it’s tricky isn’t it? You might have ideas or thoughts about where you’ll be, but there isn’t a way of knowing for sure, is there? Okay, here’s another one. Can you show me (select an item, such as a banana)? What do you mean you don’t have a banana? You can’t show me one? Well, how about if I help you out a little…(hand children the object in question). There, now you have a banana! Okay, one more thing. Can you recite for me the Bible verse that we are discussing today? You’re not sure what it is? Well, I’ll help you out there, too. (Hold up written verse). Let’s take a look at it now. (Help students read verse together, reciting the words if some are unable to read.)
So it was much easier to do these things when I gave you some help, wasn’t it? If I give you what you need to answer the question or complete the task. Did you now that God does this for us in our lives? We hear a lot of great reminders of this in the Bible. For instance, in the Old Testament, God spoke through special people called prophets. Prophets were called by God to deliver messages and help people. One of these prophets was named Jeremiah. God called Jeremiah at a young age, and he was pretty nervous about the immense task he had to do. Jeremiah told God that he wasn’t sure what to say or how, but God reassured him. God told Jeremiah that He had planned out his life before he was even born, and had a special plan for him. GOD would be the one telling Jeremiah what to say and making all of his life events happen. God promised to be with him and give him the right words to say.
And you know what? God does the same for us. Old or young, big or small, we don’t know the future, but we can be sure that God has a plan for our lives. We might not think we are that special, and we don’t always know how to do things. But God equips us. He will guide us and He promises to always be with us. God gives us the ability to do all things. He knows our past, present, and future. He gives us words to say and a way to say them! What wonderful promises.
Let’s pray and thank God for calling us and helping us do all things…
Children’s Prayer Moment
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for helping us to do all things
You give us words to say!
Please help us trust in you
And look to you for strength
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.”
9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.” –Jeremiah 1:4-10