Chosen

Children's Message

Sermon

I know it’s too early for Thanksgiving but I’ve been thinking about gratitude. I’m grateful for the sound of birds chirping when I go on a walk, I’m grateful for the pastor who preaches sermons that teach me about the Bible, and I’m grateful for the yummy lunch I’m going to have after church today!

What are you grateful for today? (Take the time to call on every child that raises their hand, whether it’s 1 or 25.)

Those are all wonderful things. And you know what’s also wonderful about that? Everyone who wanted to respond was chosen.

Chosen is a tricky word. It can feel good to be chosen, right? Have you ever been chosen first for a team at recess? It feels special that people want you to play with them. But being chosen can also come with a lot of pressure. If we’re chosen first for the soccer team in P.E., we want to play our best and help our team win. If we play bad, we might start feeling like they made the wrong choice in picking us for the team.

In the letter to the Thessalonians, Paul tells his friends that they have been chosen to be examples to others. They are meant to show people how to love like Jesus. That’s an even bigger task than just playing well on a soccer team at P.E.!

But Paul tells them in his letter that he is so thankful for them. He is so thankful for all the people who keep doing the “labor of love.” The people who keep showing up time and time again, pointing people to the risen Savior.

The people were chosen for something big, and they responded. Or maybe they were chosen because they responded.

We have the same opportunity today, to respond to God’s task for us to be an example of Jesus’ love far and wide. We, too, are chosen by God and given a special responsibility. And can I tell you something special? You’ve already done it today!

When you raised your hand and told me what you’re grateful YOU were an example to all the adults in here. You taught them how to be grateful for God’s blessings. Way to go!

Prayer

God, we are grateful for many things today, like chirping birds and yummy lunches. May we find big and small ways to be an example of your love this week. Amen.

Wonder Questions

I wonder who in your life chooses you?
I wonder who you look to as an example?
I wonder who is looking to you as an example?

Church Activities

1. Follow the Leader: Let one child lead the others in walking, marching, jumping, clapping etc. Kids practice following the example of a leader and the leader practices setting a good example that is worthy of being followed.
2. Call and Response Songs: Sing or play call and response songs during your time together. Examples of responsive songs with words or actions include “Here I Am, Lord,” “Praise Ye the Lord,” or “Father Abraham.”

Family Activities

1. Would You Rather: Practice making choices together. Would you rather go to the beach or go to the mountains? Would you rather not be able to cut your hair or not be able to cut your nails? Would you rather never eat sweets or never eat vegetables? Let the kids take the lead in creating their own Would You Rather scenarios.
2. Chosen: Around the table, in the car, or snuggled up in bed, discuss all the special choices you made when the child entered your life: what they would be called, what they would wear, who would visit them, what schools they would go to, etc. Show them that they were and continue to be loved through these choices.