Wait with Eager Longing

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 8:12-25, New International Reader's Version

¹² Brothers and sisters, we have a duty. Our duty is not to live under the power of sin. ¹³ If you live under the power of sin, you will die. But by the Spirit’s power you can put to death the sins you commit. Then you will live.

¹⁴ Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 The Spirit you received doesn’t make you slaves. Otherwise you would live in fear again. Instead, the Holy Spirit you received made you God’s adopted child. By the Spirit’s power we call God Abba. Abba means Father. 16 The Spirit himself joins with our spirits. Together they tell us that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ As his children, we will receive all that he has for us. We will share what Christ receives. But we must share in his sufferings if we want to share in his glory.

Suffering Now and Glory in the Future

¹⁸ What we are suffering now is nothing compared with our future glory. ¹⁹ Everything God created looks forward to the future. That will be the time when his children appear in their full and final glory. ²⁰ The created world was held back from fulfilling its purpose. But this was not the result of its own choice. It was planned that way by the one who held it back. God planned 21 to set the created world free. He didn’t want it to rot away. Instead, God wanted it to have the same freedom and glory that his children have.

²² We know that all that God created has been groaning. It is in pain as if it were giving birth to a child. The created world continues to groan even now. ²³ And that’s not all. We have the Holy Spirit as the promise of future blessing. But we also groan inside ourselves. We do this as we look forward to the time when God adopts us as full members of his family. Then he will give us everything he has for us. He will raise our bodies and give glory to them. ²⁴ That’s the hope we had when we were saved. But hope that can be seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ We hope for what we don’t have yet. So we are patient as we wait for it.

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

Objects

Three linked hearts.

Message

Good morning, friends. I have a question for you. Have you ever had to wait for something really special? (Pause. Invite a few short responses: “My birthday.” “Christmas.” “A visit.”)

Waiting can be exciting…and waiting can be very hard.

Let’s see your waiting face. (Encourage exaggerated faces. Smile.)

Now show me your waiting body. Everyone freeze like a statue. (Freeze with them.)

Let’s wait together. (Silently, count to five. Let the quiet stretch just a bit.)

Whew! That felt long, didn’t it? (Allow children to respond.)

Paul tells us something surprising in today’s Bible passage. He says that God’s whole world is waiting. (Repeat.) God’s whole world is waiting.

Not just people, but trees. Not just people, but animals. Not just people, but the Earth.

Waiting for healing. Waiting for joy. Waiting for peace.

That’s a lot of waiting. (Bring out the third heart.) Remember our hearts?

We started with one, God’s love for us. Then added a second, God’s Spirit helping our minds and hearts.

Today, we add one more, making three hearts linked together. (Link the third heart.)

While we wait, God is still working.

Let’s try something.

Wiggle your fingers low to the ground, like tiny seeds in the soil. (Allow children to wiggle.) Nothing looks like it’s happening yet.

Now wiggle them just a little higher. Waiting can feel slow. It can feel quiet. It can feel like nothing is happening.

But watch:

Slowly stretch your arms up high, like a plant reaching for the sun. Stand tall. Even when we can’t see it, God’s love is growing.

Now, let’s touch each heart together.

(Touch first heart.) God’s love is with you when you wait.

(Touch second heart.) God’s love is with us when we wait together.

(Touch third heart.) God’s love is with the whole world while it waits.

Take a slow breath in…and out. Waiting doesn’t mean God is gone.

I wonder how God’s love grows while we wait.

Waiting means God is still at work. I wonder what you are waiting for right now.

God is working, even while we wait.

Shared Closing (Weekly Ritual)

Now we’ll end the same way we always do.

Put one hand on your heart.

(Wait.)

Now reach out and link hands with someone nearby, or imagine all our hearts are all connected.

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

Prayer

(Hands on heart, slow breathing)

Patient God,
waiting is hard.

Help us trust
that you are always working.
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 3 – Wait with Eager Longing

Scripture Focus: Romans 8:12–25
Theme: God is working even while we wait.

Talk Together

• What is something you are waiting for right now?
• How does waiting feel in your body?
• Have you ever seen something grow slowly?

Try This Together

Freeze and Grow Game

Freeze like a statue.

Count silently to five.

Slowly stretch upward like a growing plant.

Say together, “God’s love is growing.”

Add a third heart to your chain.

Wonder Together

I wonder what God is growing that we cannot see yet.

I wonder how hope feels while we wait. Talk about a time this week when you needed to wait.

Prayer

Patient God, waiting is hard.
Help us trust that you are always working.
Amen.

Family Ritual

Hands on hearts, then hands linked together.
Leader: God’s love holds me.
All: God’s love holds us.