What do you dream about?  Is about something you’d like to have?  Or you like to do?  Or about someone you’d like to be?

Maybe it is about some of these things?

Being rich and having lots of money.  So you can buy lots of nice things.

Getting good grades at school.  Doing well in your exams.

Being a professional sportsman or woman.  Winning Premier League.  Olympic Gold,  Wimbledon.

Getting married.  Have a husband or wife.  Then a family.

Or travelling the world and going on lots of adventures.  Seeing all the wonderful sights there are to see.

Now all of these things are good things.  But they can be bad things, if they become an idol.

Idolatry is a sin.

Remember what sin is.  Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, not being or doing what he requires in his law.

But, what is meant by idolatry?

That’s what our next big question asks.  Let’s look at it now…

What comes into your mind when you hear the word ‘idol’?

It could be a statue that people bow down to.  Like a golden calf which the Israelites worshipped at the bottom of Mount Sinai.

Those aren’t the only kind of idols there are.

An idol can be anything that takes the place of God in our lives.  Anything that we look to, to give us joy and satisfaction, instead of God.

And all of us tempted to look to other things.  To things that are created.

What the apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:25 is true of everyone.  “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is for ever praised. Amen.” (Romans 1:25)

Worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator.

That’s what idolatry is.

So, what is the answer to the question “What is idolatry?”

It is this:

They all are law-breakers.

They have all broken the laws of this country which are set by the Government and they each deserve to be punished.

But they are not the only law-breakers.

We all are law-breakers too, even you children.  You may not have broken the laws of this country, but you have broken God’s law.

That’s what our next big question asks.  Let’s look at it now…

But it is also breaking God’s law.

“Everyone who sins breaks the law. In fact, sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4)

Like criminals are punished for breaking the laws of this country, so we deserve to be punished for breaking God’s law.  However, because Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment we deserve, when we trust in Jesus, we can be forgiven and be given eternal life with Him in heaven instead.

So, what is the answer to the question “What is sin?”

It is this:

Now in the Bible, we are told that there is something which is like a mirror revealing the truth – the Law of God.

We’ve seen in previous questions that obeying God’s law is how we glorify God.  And even though God created humans able to keep the law, since Adam and Eve’s disobedience, no-one has been able keep the law of God perfectly.

But that doesn’t mean that the law is no longer needed.  So, what is its purpose?

That’s what our next big question asks.  Let’s look at it now…

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #9 – Did God create us unable to keep His law? [NCC Q14]

Powerpoint Pictures: Pictures to illustrate a Headache, Sore Throat, Runny Nose, Cough, Temperature

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If you woke up one day and you had a headache, a sore throat, a runny note, a bit of a cough, and a high temperature, what have you probably got?

A cold.

These are all symptoms of a virus.

The common cold virus.

And it is likely that you will pass it on to someone else in your family or your class at school.

I want us to think about another virus.

A virus everybody has.  I have it.  You have it.  Everyone around the world and who has ever lived (apart from one man) has it.

The sin virus.

All people are born sinners and we know this because everyone sins.  We’ve seen that since the fall no human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly.  No-one loves God and loves their neighbour as they should and in doing so breaks God’s law.

But has it always been this way?

That’s what our next big question asks.  Let’s look at it now…

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Q: Did God create us unable to keep His law?

Were human beings right from the very beginning unable to obey God’s Word perfectly.

Were Adam and Eve created as sinners?

No.

They were made very good.

They were able to keep God’s law in the Garden of Eden by loving God and one another.

But when tempted by Satan, they chose to disobey God’s command by eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

As soon as they did this, they became sinners.  They caught the sin virus.  And since then it has spread to every human being.

“…through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners.” (Romans 5:19)

So what is the answer to the question, “Did God create us unable to keep His law?”

It is this:

A: No, but because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, we are all born in sin and guilt, unable to keep God’s law.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

Did God create us unable to keep His law?  No, but because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, we are all born in sin and guilt, unable to keep God’s law.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #8 – Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly? [NCC Q13]

Powerpoint Pictures: Duke Caboom; Evil Kenevil

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Can you tell me who this is? [Duke Caboom].

Duke Caboom is a dare devil stunt motorcycle rider from Toy Story 4.

Before him was another famous dare devil.  This man.  Evil Kenevil.

Evil Kenevil did lots of crazy stunts.  Jumping over buses and cars on his motorbike.

[Following illustration is taking from the New City Catechism Curriculum].

Evil Kenevil came up with a plan to do something really spectacular.  He was going to jump across the Snake River Canyon in a specially designed ‘Skycycle’ like a rocket.

Well, when the day came the spectators who had come to watch were left disappointed.  Evil got a little way across the Canyon before his parachute was released and he landed safely.

He fell short.

He didn’t make the jump.

No-one was interested in how far he got.  The fact is, he didn’t reach the other side.  Almost is not good enough.

What happened helps us to understand our next Big Question.

Now with our Big Questions, we’ve seen that God created us to glorify Him, and the way we glorify Him is by loving Him and obeying His commands and laws.  And the law of God requires that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbour as ourselves.

But can we do this?

That’s what the next big question is all about.  Let’s look at it now…

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Q: Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly?

The Bible is clear that this answer to this question is “No!”

Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (the fall), no-one has.

The truth is that none of us can.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Like Evil Kenevil fell short of the bank on the other side of the Snake River Canyon, so all of us have fallen short of perfectly loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and loving our neighbour as ourselves.

This is why we need Jesus, as we’ll see in future questions.

So what is the answer to the question, “Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly?”

It is this:

A: Since the fall, no human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

Can anyone keep the law of God perfectly?  Since the fall, no human has been able to keep the law of God perfectly.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #7 – What does the law of God require?

Powerpoint Pictures: Red Traffic Light; Go to Jail on Monopoly Board; No Diving sign; Sign up to Facebook Page; Football Player handling ball

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I want us to think about different types of rules or commands.

If the traffic lights are on red, what do your parents need to do? [Stop the car!]

Where do you find a ‘Go to Jail’ picture?  [On a Monopoly Board]; What do you do if your counter lands on this square? [Go to jail].

Where might you find a ‘No Diving’ sign? [At the swimming pool].

How old do you have to be in order to use Facebook? [13 years old].

What’s wrong with this picture of a footballer handling the ball? [It is against the rules for them to].

Rules and laws are good.  They keep people safe.  Life works well and is most enjoyable when people obey the law.

Now with our Big Questions, we seen that God created us to glorify Him, and the way we glorify Him is by loving Him and obeying His commands and laws.

But what does God require us to do in His law?

That’s what the next big question is all about.  Let’s look at it now…

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Q: What does the law of God require?

You see, God has given commands and laws to tell us how to live as those He has made and especially as those He had saved.

To the people of Israel, after He saved them from slavery in Egypt, He gave 10 commands that covered all of life.

Jesus summarised what they were to do like this.

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

This is what the law of God requires and tells us how God expects us all to live – to be people who love Him and who love other people.

So what is the answer to the question, “What does the law of God require?”

It is this:

A: That we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbour as ourselves.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

What does the law of God require? That we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbour as ourselves.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #6 – How can we glorify God?

Powerpoint Pictures: Pictures of Fans of following – Football Team; Pop Star; Royal Family; President of USA; Politicians (e.g. Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson)

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Who or what are the following people fans of?

Football Team e.g. Crystal Palace.

Pop Star e.g. Justin Bieber.

Royal Family or President.

Politicians e.g. Jeremy Corbyn, Boris Johnson.

These fans are glory givers.  They tell other people how amazing and wonderful the person or group or object they are fans of is; how great they are; because they love them.

Now, we saw with Big Question 4 that we have been created, not to give glory to created things, but to the Creator.

How and why did God create us?  God created us male and female, in His own image, to glorify Him.

But how do we glorify God?

That’s what the next big question is all about.  Let’s look at it now…

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Q: How can we glorify God?

How do we do what we have been created to do?

How do we show that we think that God is amazing and great?

“Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.” (Deuteronomy 11:1)

We glorify God by loving Him, and the way we show that we love God is by trusting Him and obeying Him, by praising and thanking Him and telling other people how wonderful He is.

So what is the answer to the question, “How can we glorify God?”

It is this:

A: By loving Him and by obeying His commands and laws.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

How can we glorify God? By loving Him and by obeying His commands and laws.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #5 – What else did God create?

Powerpoint Pictures: Goldfish; Empty Goldfish Bowl; Goldfish in Bowl with water and scenery.

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Imagine I’ve just bought a goldfish and a goldfish bowl.

Would I just drop the fish into the bowl?  Why not?

I need to put some water in it first, otherwise the fish is going to die.  But just water in a bowl wouldn’t be very interesting for the fish.

What else could I do?

I could put some coloured gravel, some greenery, some scenery like a shipwreck, in the bowl as well.

Creating a home for a fish that is good requires both care and creativity.

Big Question 4 asked “How and why did God create us?” and the answer it gave was “God created us male and female in His own image to glorify Him.”

But before He created us male and female in His own image, God created something else, and that’s what the next big question is all about.

Let’s look at it now…

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Q: What else did God create?

Genesis 1 tells us that God created everything out of nothing.  The heavens and the earth. Day and night. Sky and sea. Land and plants. Sun, moon and stars. Birds and fish and all the animals that move along the ground.

God took great care in making the earth a perfect home for people to live in.

God was also creative, making it an interesting place to live in with lots of colour and variety and beauty.

We then read that: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

It was just as He wanted it to be.  God did all this for our good and to show what He is like – that He is amazing!

So what is the answer to the question, “What else did God create?”

It is this:

A: God created all things, and all His creation was very good.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

What else did God create? God created all things, and all His creation was very good.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #4 – How and why did God create us?

Powerpoint Pictures: Rock; Lion; Lake; Flower

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How are we different from:

A rock?

A lion?

A lake?

A flower?

The reason we are different to everything else in creation is because there is something about humans that make us different, and that’s what the next big question is all about.

Let’s look at it now…

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Q: How and why did God create us?

Look at what God Himself tells us in His Word.

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

We see that God made people either male or female.

And both men and women are made in the image of God.

That is, men and women were made to represent God, to show what God is like – that He is amazing!

So, what is the answer to the question, “How and why did God create us?”

It is this:

A: God created us male and female in His own image to glorify Him.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

How and why did God create us?  God created us male and female in His own image to glorify Him.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #3 – How many persons are there in God?

Powerpoint Pictures: Emoji faces for Confused, Astonished, Concentrating, Happy.

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What do the following faces communicate?  When might you use the following emoji’s to describe how you are feeling? [Confused / Astonished / Concentrating / Happy].

All of those faces – confused, astonished, concentrating, happy – are ones I think we could have when we hear the answer to the next big question.

So let’s look at it now…

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Q: How many persons are there in God?

Surely the answer is one.  One God equals one person.  But when we read the Bible we discover that’s not the case because of verses like this one:

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

In that verse, we discover God is three persons.  Lord Jesus Christ = The Son.  God = the Father.  And the Holy Spirit.

This is what we call the Trinity.  One God, three persons.

So, what is the answer to the question, “How many persons are there in God?”

It is this:

A: There are three persons in one God.

Now this can be hard to get our heads are.  So, let me ask you some true/false questions to expand on what it means that there are three persons in one God.

There is one God. [True]

The Father is fully God. [True]

The Son is fully God. [True]

The Holy Spirit is fully God. [True]

God has always been three persons. [True]

The Son is not the Father nor the Holy Spirit. [True]

Each person of the Trinity has a different role. [True]

God the Father died on the cross. [False – it was God the Son who could because He became a man]

This is some of what it means that God is three persons but one God.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

How many persons are there in God?  There are three persons in one God.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #2 – What is God?

Powerpoint Pictures: Apple; Hippo; Tiddlywinks; Boris Johnson; Diamond; Woodlouse

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What is an apple? [A fruit]

What is a hippo? [An animal]

What is tiddlywinks? [A game]

What is Boris Johnson? [A human]

What is a diamond? [A jewel]

What is a woodlouse? [An insect]

We’re finding out some answers from the Bible to some big questions.  The next big question is a big ‘What is…?’ question.  In fact, the biggest there is!

So let’s look at a second big question…

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Q: What is God?

How would you answer that?  Maybe you’d list some of His attributes (descriptions about what He is like) such as love, holy, eternal, merciful, powerful and so on.  Or you might say He is Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

But before we learn all these things about God, He introduces Himself as… what?

Creator!

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

The first thing He tells us about Himself is that He exists and that He is the Creator of everything.

So, what is the answer to the question, “What is God?”

It is this:

A: God is the Creator of everyone and everything.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

What is God?  God is the Creator of everyone and everything.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.

This is part of a series of kids talks I’m doing in the morning service at Banstead Community Church based on the New City Catechism.

Big Question #1 – What is our only hope in life and death?

Powerpoint Pictures: The White Witch; Wicked Stepmother & Ugly Stepsisters; Villains of Gotham City; Thanos; Voldemort

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Who was the four Pevensie children and the inhabitants of Narnia’s only hope of rescue from the White Witch? [Aslan]

Who was Cinderella’s only hope of rescue from her wicked stepmother and ugly stepsisters? [The Prince]

Who was Gotham City’s only hope of rescue from villains such as the Joker, the Penguin and the Riddler? [Batman]

Who was the universe’s only hope of rescue from Thanos? [The Avengers]

Who was wizards and muggles alike’s only hope of rescue from ‘He who must not be named’? [Harry Potter]

We’re starting a new series today where we are going to find out the answers from the Bible to some big questions.

At different times in the history of the church, God’s people have used questions and answers (called a catechism) to help them learn some really important truths about God and His Son Jesus.

And the first big question we’re going to ask is about who our only hope of rescue is.

So let’s look at the first big question…

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Q: What is our only hope in life and death?

All of us need to be rescued.

We need to be saved from our sins otherwise God will punish us for them in hell.

Wonderfully that is what God has done for us by sending His Son Jesus, who by His life, death, and resurrection, offers us forgiveness for every sin we have committed and eternal life in heaven.

But only if we put our trust in Him.

“Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

Our only hope is being part of God’s people, belonging to Him by trusting in Jesus.  It is those who belong to God that will be saved.

So, what is the answer to the question, “What is our only hope in life and death?”

It is this:

A: That we are not our own but belong to God.

Let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

What is our only hope in life and death?  That we are not our own but belong to God.

Children when you go out to Sunday School you’re going to learn a song that will help you to remember this.