Colossians 3:1-2, New International Reader's Version

Teachings About Holy Living

3You have been raised up with Christ. So think about things that are in heaven. That is where Christ is. He is sitting at God’s right hand. 2Think about things that are in heaven. Don’t think about things that are only on earth.

Message:

Summer has gone by so fast. I am sure you have been busy and have done a lot of things this summer. Have you had fun this summer? What was your favorite summer activity? (Allow children to respond.)

Did you play any sports this summer? (Allow children to answer.) I remember watching some of my sports heroes signal that they were followers of Jesus after they had hit a big shot in basketball or a home run in a baseball game. After making the big play, they would pat their hearts and point to the sky. Why do you suppose they pointed to the sky? (Allow children to answer.) That’s right, pointing toward the sky represents pointing to heaven. That tells the fans watching that they are saying, “Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the ability to hit this home run or make this three-point basket.” Through their hand motions, they told the fans that they were giving thanks to God. In other words, they set their minds on God.

Today’s scripture, taken from Paul’s letter to the Colossians, reminds us to think about things in heaven. Think about Jesus in heaven. Don’t just think about things here on earth, Paul tells us.

Have you thought about Jesus being in heaven? Paul tells us in this passage that Jesus is sitting on the right side of God. We know from reading the stories in our Bible that when Jesus spent time here on earth, he was fully human. He felt the same pain and hurt we do. He was hungry, tired, and thirsty, just as we can be. However, we also learn from scripture that Jesus was also fully God. God sent Jesus to be born in a manger as a baby. After Jesus was raised by God, he returned to heaven.

When we speak of Jesus returning to heaven, it is a way of saying the things that hurt or caused him pain when he lived on earth do not do so any longer. Those are earthly troubles. When Jesus lived as a human on earth, he had a body that could be hurt and even killed, but in heaven, there is no more pain, suffering, or death. While on earth, Jesus needed food and drink to live, but in heaven, he has a perfect life with God that lasts forever.

In this letter, Paul says that you have been raised up with Christ to heaven. At first, this may not make sense. After all, Jesus is sitting at the right of God in heaven, but you’re still on earth, where there is pain, suffering, and death. You still get hungry, thirsty, and tired. But if you are a follower of Jesus and give your life to him, you belong to him, and his Spirit lives in you. When that happens, you have begun to live that heavenly life – today, right here on this earth, for all the world to see!

Paul wants us to remember that we need to show others what heaven looks like here on earth. This happens because of how we act every minute of every day. We should show others what the world looks like when the Spirit of Jesus is in us. Christ’s Spirit works through us to remove things that hurt this world. By acting like Christ, you help the world overcome things like jealousy, hate, and lies. Those are not things of God. Then, with the help of the Holy Spirit, those terrible things are replaced with acts of kindness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. And those are things of God!

I wonder what you can do this week with the help of the Holy Spirit to offer someone those things of God— gentleness, forgiveness, and love. When you do, give God the glory. You can even pat your heart and point to the sky, just like your favorite sports hero, if you want to remind yourself and others that in that moment, your mind is on God.

Paul reminds us that God has already started to repair our hurting world by sending Jesus. While on earth, Jesus showed us glimpses of heaven by teaching us how to live. God wants us to continue to show others that we are thinking about heaven and our minds are on God. When we treat others kindly or offer forgiveness to one another, we are showing people how much Jesus loves them. We are inviting them to set their minds on God in every moment here on earth. When we do that, we help make this world a better place.

Today, as we pray, let’s pat our heart and then point toward heaven. Let’s pray.

Prayer:

Jesus, I know that you live in heaven, but please live in me also. Share with me the peace of heaven and set my mind on your ways in everything I do. In all things I do, I give you the glory. (In silence, pat your heart and then point to heaven.) Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

This week, watch a sporting event or go to a game in person. Look for ways that the athletes honor God. It might be a hand gesture like patting their heart and pointing to heaven. It might be a cross drawn on their cleat or sneaker. Some may sign their autographs with a Bible verse. Research your favorite players. Do they have a way to show the world that they are Christians? What about you? Share ways you can show your faith to others.

Place a large-sized posterboard or piece of butcher paper in a location that the family will see daily. Draw a line down the middle, and on one side, write, “I thought about… (earthly thoughts).” On the other side, write, “When I think about God and things above, I think about …” (heavenly thoughts). At the end of each day, spend some time comparing the lists and discussing the differences. Are there major differences in the lists when we put God first? If the lists look different, talk with family members about why that may be.

As a family, discuss those things Paul says are heavenly. Ask the following questions and then respond as a family.
How can we, as a family, show compassion to others? Give an example of a moment where you showed compassion this week. A familiar definition for compassion is “seeing a need and doing something about it.”

How can we practice forgiveness? Give an example of a moment when you practiced forgiveness.

How can we offer more patience to those around us? Give an example of when you saw another family member practice patience this week. Compliment them on a job well done.

What can we do to show people around us that we love them just as Jesus loves us? Make plans to show others to set their minds on God. Make wristbands for members to wear that will remind them. Create family hand motions to tell one another that you are thinking about God. Reinforce that these are not just motions but important ways to demonstrate thinking of heavenly things while here on earth.