Delight in the Law

Children's Message

Introduction

The eighth chapter of the letter to the Romans is one of the most loved chapters in the Bible. As the crux of this important epistle, this chapter provides insight into some of the core elements of our faith. How does the law function in our faith? What does it mean to set our mind on the Spirit? What is our relationship with all creation? How are we bound together with other disciples in suffering and joy? St. Paul sets out to answer these and many other questions as he weaves a poetic vision of what it means to be a follower of Jesus and a part of the body of Christ. We invite you and your congregation to explore “Core Faith” this summer. 

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25, New International Reader's Version

¹⁵ I don’t understand what I do. I don’t do what I want to do. Instead, I do what I hate to do. ¹⁶ I do what I don’t want to do. So I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, I am no longer the one who does these things. It is sin living in me that does them. ¹⁸ I know there is nothing good in my desires controlled by sin. I want to do what is good, but I can’t. ¹⁹ I don’t do the good things I want to do. I keep on doing the evil things I don’t want to do. ²⁰ I do what I don’t want to do. But I am not really the one who is doing it. It is sin living in me that does it.

²¹ Here is the law I find working in me. When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² Deep inside me I find joy in God’s law. ²³ But I see another law working in me. It fights against the law of my mind. It makes me a prisoner of the law of sin. That law controls me. ²⁴ What a terrible failure I am! Who will save me from this sin that brings death to my body? ²⁵ I give thanks to God who saves me. He saves me through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So in my mind I am a slave to God’s law. But sin controls my desires. So I am a slave to the law of sin.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Object

One soft or paper heart.

Message

Good morning, friends. I’m really glad you’re here today. I have a question to ask you, “Have you ever noticed that something in your body keeps working even when you forget about it?”

(Pause. Let children respond: “Your heart!” “Your brain!”)

Yes! Your heart. Let’s check. Put your hand on your chest. Can you feel your heart? Is it fast or slow today? (Tap gently together.)

Your heart keeps beating while you sleep… while you play… even when you’re not thinking about it at all.

That’s a little bit like God’s love. God’s love doesn’t stop just because we forget about it.

Now let’s wake up our bodies. Stand up with me. Let’s see how good we are at listening.

Touch your toes.
(Wait and laugh together.)
Now jump one time. Freeze!

Wow! You did that so well. That was easy, wasn’t it?

But I wonder…is it always that easy to do the right thing?

Let’s try something different. When I say something kind, show me a thumbs up. When I say something unkind, cross your arms. Ready?

• Sharing toys
• Pushing in line
• Helping a friend who fell down.
• Yelling when you’re really, really mad.

You’re really good at knowing what’s kind and what’s not. But here’s something important. Sometimes we know the kind thing, but we still do the other thing.

Has that ever happened to you? (Pause for nods, quiet “yes,” or shared smiles.) It happens to grown-ups, too. A man in the Bible named Paul once said, “I want to do good… but sometimes I don’t.” (Show the heart.) When Paul said that, God didn’t stop loving him.

This heart reminds us of that. Let’s try something with our hands. Squeeze them into tight fists. Really tight. (Wait.) Now open them wide.

That’s what God’s love is like. It’s not tight. Not angry. Not gone. It’s always open, always here. (Place the heart somewhere the children can still see it.)

God loves us, even when we make mistakes. When we make mistakes, we need someone to forgive us.

I wonder how it feels when someone forgives you. (Allow children to answer.) I wonder how it feels knowing that God forgives. (Allow children to answer.)

When God forgives, God also helps our hearts get another chance. I wonder how God helps our hearts try again tomorrow.

Each week, we will end our time together this way.

Put your hand on your heart. I will say, “God’s love holds me.” Place a hand on your heart, then link your other hand with the person next to you.

Leader: God’s love holds me.
Children: God’s love holds us.

Prayer

(Hands on hearts, breathing slowly together.)

God, thank you for loving us
when we do the right thing
and when we don’t.
Help our hearts learn,
and help us try again.
Amen.

Between the Sundays

A Family Faith Practice for the “Core Faith” Series

Each week includes:

• A short scripture idea.
• Conversation starters.
• A hands-on or movement-based activity.
• A simple prayer.
• The consistent ritual used in worship.

Week 1 – Delight in the Law

Scripture Focus: Romans 7:15–25a
Theme: God loves us even when we mess up.

Talk Together

• Talk about a time you tried to do the right thing, but it was hard.
• What helps you feel better when you make a mistake?
• How do you know someone still loves you after a hard moment?

Try This Together

Open Hands Practice

All squeeze their hands into tight fists.

Ask, “How does that feel?”

Slowly open your hands wide.

Say together, “God’s love is open to us.”

Optional: Draw or cut out a paper heart and place it somewhere visible this week.

Wonder Together

I wonder how it feels to be forgiven.

I wonder how God helps us try again.

Prayer

God, thank you for loving us when we do the right thing and when we don’t.
Help our hearts grow.
Amen.

Family Ritual

One hand on the heart; the other linked to the next person.
Leader: God’s love holds me.
All: God’s love holds us.