Sermon

Good morning! I love your [insert special trait about one of your kids here]. Whoops, do you know what I just did? I gave you a compliment! Do you know what a compliment is? Take a couple answers.

Yes! A compliment is something nice we say to people. How do you feel when someone gives you a compliment? Take a few answers.

Compliments can make us feel warm inside, they might even make us feel a little embarrassed. They show that someone sees and cares about us. The opposite is true of mean comments. Even if the person didn’t intend to be mean, it can still make us feel sad and hurt, right?

Our words are so powerful. They have the ability to make someone feel good or bad, we can use words to tell people where to go or what to do, words can create a story or paint a picture.

Words can even be a gift. Do you know what a blessing is? A blessing is something we say to one another to give them the gift of words. It shows that we care about someone else and want good things for them. Share about a blessing your church does. This could be the benediction at the end of worship, a blessing you give graduates each year, a blessing you say each week after the children’s sermon, or another common instance of blessing that the kids will recognize.

Right before Jesus left his disciples, he gave them a gift - he gave them a blessing. He promised them that when they go out, telling the whole world about Jesus’ forgiveness and love, that they would be clothed with power.

This promise and the ones we say here in church, are a present we can give one another. They give us comfort and peace when life gets hard. This is the gift of a blessing.

Prayer

God, thank you for the blessings you give us each day. Help us to give others the gift of blessings this week. Amen.

Between the Sundays

Family Activities and Conversation Starters

Work together as a family to write a short blessing you can share.
- What could we say that is a gift to someone?
- Will these words encourage, comfort, or empower?
Make a list of people you can bless with your family blessing.
- Why are these people important to you?
- How do you think they’ll feel when we/you bless them?
Find an easy time in your daily routine to bless your children with the family blessing. It could be as they jump out of the car for school, at the breakfast/dinner table, or as part of a bedtime ritual.
- Does this feel different than praying with or for your children?
- Consider what God’s daily blessing for you might be.

Written by Sammy Waters. Sammy has served in family ministry in the North Georgia and Horizon Texas Conferences over the past 6 years. After receiving her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, she moved to Texas where she has enjoyed working with children, youth, and families to design new ways to engage in worship, learn the stories of God, and create space for wonder.