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KIDS TALK: BIG QUESTION #24

January 19, 2021 by dan

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 #24 – How can we be saved? [NCC Q29]

Powerpoint Pictures: Teacher; Doctor; Parents hugging scared child; Supermarket worker

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you think of a situation when you were helpless?  When you were stuck and needed help?

It could be a piece of schoolwork that was too hard and you couldn’t work out what the answer was, so who did you ask for help? [Your teacher].

It could be that you fall over and hurt your arm or leg and it might be broken, who can help you then? [A doctor].

It could be that you are scared of something, who would you go to for help? [Mum or Dad – put their arms around you, hold you tight].

Or what about if you were lost in a supermarket and couldn’t find your mum or dad. [You’d go and find someone who works in the shop and ask them to put out announcement].

Now there is another situation where you need help.

Not just children who need help.

Grown ups do too.

Everyone does.

In an earlier big question, we saw that we all need help, because we have sinned against God and God rightly will punish us because of this.

However, the good news is that there is a Redeemer who can help us by saving us from our sin.

Jesus is this redeemer and He has died on the cross to make it possible for our sins to be forgiven.  He can help us in the situation we are in and can do nothing about.

But how can we be saved by Jesus?

That’s what our next Big Question asked.  Let’s look at it now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Q: How can we be saved?

That’s a the question we find asked in the Bible.

In Acts 16, we read that a jailer, in place called Philippi, asked that question, and what was the answer he was given?

Paul and Silas said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

The only way for our sins to be taken away and the punishment we deserve removed is by believing in Jesus.

By putting our faith in Him to do for us what we can do for ourselves.

To trust that His death has taken the punishment we deserve so we can be forgiven.

So, what’s the answer to our Big Question.

A: Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in his substitutionary atoning death on the cross.

Why don’t we say the question and answer out loud together to help us remember this.

How can we be saved? Only by faith in Jesus Christ and in his substitutionary atoning death on the cross.

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

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: Big Questions, Kids Talk, New City Catechism

KIDS TALK: ACTS

January 6, 2021 by dan

The Big Read – Acts

Powerpoint Pictures: Tsunami; Tornado; Volcano; Heatwave; Avalanche; Earthquake

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Look at the following pictures? [Tsunami, Tornado, Volcano, Heatwave, Avalanche, Earthquake].  What do each of these things have in common?

They are unstoppable.  They can’t be stopped – you have to wait for each of them to run its course.

The book of Acts is also about something or rather someone who is unstoppable.

The book of Acts tells us that the Risen Lord Jesus is building His church from all the nations of the world and nobody and nothing cannot stop Him from doing this.

At the start of Acts, Jesus gives His followers the mission of being witnesses for Him, by telling people the good news about Him in the power of the Spirit, and they were to do this in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, to the ends of the earth.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

And that’s what happens in the book of Acts.

In the first part of Acts, Jesus’ followers are in Jerusalem, preaching the good news about Him, and people are saved – on one day 3000 were.

Then when a persecution breaks out, Jesus’ followers are scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, and there they preach the gospel and people are saved.

After the conversion of Saul, an enemy of Jesus, he becomes a missionary to the Gentiles, and Acts records how he preaches the message of salvation through Jesus in Asia and Europe, and how new churches appear all over these continents.

Along the way problems and difficulties arise (such as persecution, imprisonment, shipwrecks and so on), but none of these are able to stop Jesus from building His church as His followers preach the good news about Him in the power of the Spirit.

Luke in the book of Acts wants to excite and encourage us that Jesus is building His church and nothing can stop Him from doing so.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More talks from The Big Read for Kids can be found HERE.

(Photo: Freely)

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: Acts, Kids Talk, The Big Read

CHRISTMAS RESOURCE ROUND-UP

December 28, 2020 by dan

I’ve done a number of Christmas sermons, short carol service talks, and plenty of kids talks.  For those looking for inspiration and ideas, here they are in one place including those from this year.

Carol Service Talks (5-10 mins)

Christmas is about giving a gift to the people you love
Christmas in 3 Words
How far would you go to show someone that you love them?
Get peace this Christmas
Are you ready for Christmas?
The Unwanted Gift
Spreading Christmas Cheer
Open the Gift
Hands, Face, Space

Christmas Sermons

2 Corinthians 8:9
Galatians 4:4-5
Luke 24:13-35
Ephesians 2:1-10
Four Things to do this Christmas
1 Timothy 1:15
Psalm 72
Psalm 98
Christmas Through New Eyes
John 18:4
Matthew 1:16
Genesis 37:2-18
Luke 2:15-20

Matthew 1-2 Series

Matthew 1:1-17
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:13-23

Christmas According to Moses Series

Genesis 3:1-15
Exodus 2:1-10
Leviticus 1:1-9
Numbers 24:15-19
Deuteronomy 18:15-22

John 1:1-18 Series

John 1:1-5
John 1:6-9
John 1:10-13
John 1:14-18

Advent Kids Talks

Why Advent?

AD1 – Why celebrate Advent?
AD2 – Advent says ‘Be Ready!’
AD3 – Advent says ‘Be Patient!’
AD4 – Advent says ‘Be Excited!’

What should we do this Christmas?

AD1 – Recognise
AD2 – Repent
AD3 – Rejoice
AD4 – Receive

Responding to the Good News of Christmas

AD1 – The Wonder of Mary
AD2 – The Obedience of Joseph
AD3 – The Joy of the Angels
AD4 – The Eagerness of the Shepherds

Christmas at the Movies

AD1 – The Snowman
AD2 – The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
AD3 – Home Alone
AD4 – Elf

Fixated

AD1 – Fix your eyes on Jesus this Advent
AD2 – Fix your eyes on Jesus the Word
AD3 – Fix your eyes on Jesus who is Better
AD4 – Fix your eyes on Jesus who is our Pioneer

Other Christmas Kids Talk

Eye-witnesses (Luke 1:1-4)
I don’t believe it! (Luke 1:5-25)
Chosen (Luke 1:26-38)
The First Christmas Carol (Luke 1:39-56)
A Message from God (Luke 1:57-80)
Luke 2:1-12
Getting them to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-5)
Fit for a King (Luke 2:6-7)
Rescue NOT Reindeers (Luke 2:8-20)
1 Thing to Do Before You Die (Luke 2:21-40)

(Photo: Ben White)

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Filed Under: Pastor's Desk Tagged With: Advent, Carol Service, Christmas, Kids Talk, Sermons

KIDS TALK: FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS WHO IS OUR PIONEER

December 16, 2020 by dan

This year my series of Advent Kids Talk are going to be linked to the book Fixated by Tim Chester which we are going to be using as a church.  Here’s the fourth part.

Advent – Fix Your Eyes on Jesus who is our Pioneer

Powerpoint Pictures: Sir Edmund Hillary with Tenzing Norgay; Amelia Earhart; Johannes Gutenberg; Neil Armstrong.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A pioneer is someone who does something for the first time, showing to others that it is possible.

They show how it can be done and set a trail for others to follow in their footsteps.

There are lots of famous pioneers.

Sir Edmund Hillary with Tenzing Norgay were the first to climb Mount Everest.

Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly a plane solo across the Atlantic.

Johannes Gutenberg created the first printing press making possible mass production of books.

Neil Armstrong was the first to successfully land and walk on the moon.

Each of these people were the first to do something.

They were pioneers.  Showing others what was possible.

Now, when it comes to being a pioneer, Jesus is the most important one of all, and that is what I want to show you this morning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Over the four Sundays in Advent, we’ve been looking at some of the reasons why fixing our eyes on Jesus is the most important thing we can do this Christmas.

We should fix our eyes on Jesus because He is the Word – the One who makes God known to us.

We should fix our eyes on Jesus because He is the GOAT – the greatest of all time.  Compared to the angels, those glorious and powerful beings, He is better. He is superior.  His name is more excellent.

There’s something else about Jesus that means we should fix our eyes on Him.

It is because He is our pioneer.

Look at another verse from the book of Hebrews. “For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2:10)

Jesus being our pioneer is great news for us if our faith is in Him.

Because first, it proves that it is possible for humans to be made new.  To be made perfect after death.  To be raised from the dead with new resurrection bodies, as that’s what happened to Jesus.

He came out of the tomb with a body that could not die, that was fit for life in heaven.

But also, because it proves that it is possible for us to be made new.  For us to one day be raised from the dead with new resurrection bodies, as Jesus is leading many sons and daughters to glory.

Jesus shows us the way to heaven and ensures that we make it there if we are trusting in Him.

So, why we should fix our eyes on Jesus this Christmas?

Because He is our pioneer.  He shows us the way to heaven and ensures us that we be with him there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More Advent/Christmas Kids Talks can be found HERE.

(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Kids Talk

KIDS TALK: FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS WHO IS BETTER

December 8, 2020 by dan

This year my series of Advent Kids Talk are going to be linked to the book Fixated by Tim Chester which we are going to be using as a church.  Here’s the third part.

Advent – Fix Your Eyes on Jesus who is Better

Powerpoint Pictures: Lionel Messi; Maradona; George Best; Pele; Cristiano Ronaldo; Elvis; The Beatles; The Rolling Stones; Chuck Berry. Aretha Franklin; Archimedes; Isambard Kingdom Brunel; Leonardo da Vinci; George Stephenson; Robert Stephenson; Michelangelo; Rembrandt; Van Gogh; Monet; Picasso.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When we say that someone is the GOAT.  We don’t mean that they are one of these.  A four legged animals that bleats and sometimes has great beards!

No, we mean that they are the GREATEST OF ALL TIME at something.

In football we might say that of: Lionel Messi or Maradona or George Best or Pele or Cristiano Ronaldo.

In music we might say that of Elvis or The Beatles or The Rolling Stones or Chuck Berry or Aretha Franklin.

In engineering, we might say that of: Archimedes or Isambard Kingdom Brunel or Leonardo da Vinci or George Stephenson and his son Robert.

In art, we might say that of: Leonardo Da Vinci or Michelangelo or Rembrandt or Van Gogh or Monet or Picasso.

Each these people are considered to be GOATs.

As humans they are undoubtable incredibly gifted at what they were known for, but none of them compare to the one man who was truly perfect.

The Lord Jesus.

He is the ultimate GOAT and I want to take a couple of moments to show you this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

During advent we are looking at some of the reasons why fixing our eyes on Him is the most important thing we can do this Christmas.

One reason was because Jesus is the Word.  He is the One who makes God known to us.

The next reason is because Jesus is the best.  He is the GOAT.

Look at these verses in Hebrews 1: “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.” (Hebrews 1:3-4)

To show how great Jesus is, what the writer of Hebrews does, is compare Jesus to the most magnificent beings in the universe.

Angels.

Because nothing is more powerful and glorious than an angel.

But compared to an angel, Jesus is more glorious.  He is better.  He is superior.  His name is more excellent.

And the reason why He is, is because He, the eternal Son of God, who is God, humbled Himself as He took on human flesh, was born as a man, lived a righteous life, and died to make purification for sins.

God the Father accepted His sacrifice, raising Him from the dead and welcoming Him into heaven where He now sits at His right hand with all authority, including over the angels.

Jesus is the GOAT, He is better than the angels, because He is the eternal Son of God, but because He done what the angels promised at Christmas.  He is good news of great joy for all people.  He is the Saviour who has saved His people from their sins.  And He is reigning as King, and His rule will never end.

So that’s the second reason why we should fix our eyes on Jesus this Christmas.  Because He is better than the angels.  He is the greatest of all time.

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More Advent/Christmas Kids Talks can be found HERE.

(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Kids Talk

KIDS TALK: FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS THE WORD

December 5, 2020 by dan

This year my series of Advent Kids Talk are going to be linked to the book Fixated by Tim Chester which we are going to be using as a church.  Here’s the second part.

Advent – Fix Your Eyes on Jesus the Word

Powerpoint Pictures: Merry Christmas in different languages (if you can have people saying it, even better).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In a moment we are going to hear lots of people say Merry Christmas, and I wonder if you can guess what language they are saying it in? [French; German; Spanish; Thai; Madarin; Klingon etc]

During advent we are going to look at some of the reasons why fixing our eyes on Jesus is the most important thing we can do this Christmas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And the first reason we’re going to see is because Jesus is the Word.

Jesus is the Word.

“Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2a)

Jesus is the Word – the One through whom God speaks to us.

What does that mean?

It means that He is the one who makes God known to us.  If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.  Everything we need to know about God is found in Him because He is God.

In the past God made Himself known to people through dreams, prophecies, visions, miracles, words and so on – what we find written down for us in the Old Testament.

But now that Jesus has come, God does not need to speak in these ways anymore, because Jesus tells us everything we need to know about God.

You see Jesus isn’t just a messenger, He is also the message.

God’s Word to us is Jesus.  He is the language God speaks.

We heard at the start people saying merry Christmas in different languages.   Well, God has said Merry Christmas too.  Not in English but in Jesus.

We say merry Christmas.  God says Jesus.

Because everything God wants to say to us is found in Him.

So that’s the first reason why we should fix our eyes on Jesus this Christmas.  Because He is the Word.  He makes God known to us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More Advent/Christmas Kids Talks can be found HERE.

(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Kids Talk

KIDS TALK: JOHN

December 2, 2020 by dan

The Big Read – John

Powerpoint Pictures: Welcome sign; Roadworks sign; No smoking sign; Warning sign; Direction sign; Confusing sign

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Signs are all about passing on information or messages to people.

We see different signs every day – here are some of them [Welcome sign – a friendly invitation to come in; Roadworks sign – preparing drivers to slow down or that there might be traffic; No smoking sign – telling you something that you are not allowed to do; Warning sign – a warning about a danger; Direction sign – follow the sign to get to a specific destination; Confusing signs – that have a mixed message]

John’s Gospel is a book full of signs that communicate a message to us when we read it.

A message that is so simple and clear that a child can understand it.  A message that contains directions.  A message that contains an invitation.  A message that contains a warning.

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)

Do you see what the signs are?  The miracles of Jesus.  John writes that Jesus did loads of miracles, too many for him to write down in his book.

But he’s written down some of them, like how Jesus turned water into wine or raised Lazarus from the dead for a reason.  To communicate a message about who Jesus is.

Jesus is the Christ – the great rescuer that the Jewish people were waiting for.  John the Baptist pointed at Jesus and said “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

But Jesus is also the Son of God – God Himself.  “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

The message of John is all about who Jesus is.  But it is a message that also contains directions about how to have eternal life in heaven by believing in Jesus.

It is also a message inviting us to believe in Jesus ourselves and be rescued by Him.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

However, there is also a warning to those who don’t believe in Jesus.  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” (John 3:36)

John wants us to believe in Jesus and continue to believe in Him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More talks from The Big Read for Kids can be found HERE.

(Photo: Freely)

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: John, Kids Talk, The Big Read

KIDS TALK: FIXING YOUR EYES ON JESUS DURING ADVENT

November 28, 2020 by dan

This year my series of Advent Kids Talk are going to be linked to the book Fixated by Tim Chester which we are going to be using as a church.  Here’s the first part.

Advent – Fix Your Eyes on Jesus during Advent

Powerpoint Pictures: Picture with lots of things to do with Christmas including a baby hidden away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a look with me at the following picture.  On this picture are lots of stuff to do with Christmas.  Things we get to enjoy around this time of year.

Have a good look and see how many of the items on the picture you can remember.

[Remove Picture]

Okay, what did you see?

Did you see the presents and the Christmas tree?  Did you see the carol singers and the advent calendar?  Did you spot Father Christmas and you couldn’t have missed the snowman?  What about the turkey, the mince pie, and the Christmas pudding?  Then there was the candles and the lights.

But there was something else in the picture that you might have missed.

It was hidden right down at the bottom.  A baby.

Because Christmas is all about the birth of a baby.

At Christmas we remember the birth of a Saviour.  The good news that Jesus Christ came into the world to save everyone who would trust in Him from their sins.

Now, this picture, I’ll put it up again, represent a danger we face.  And that is being distracted.  Getting wrapped up with all the other stuff to do with Christmas that we forget about Jesus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, what are we to do?

“Let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

We are to get rid of anything that would distract us and stop us remembering Jesus so that we can fix our eyes on Him.

Because fixing our eyes on Jesus is the most important thing we can do this Christmas.

And during our morning services in advent we are going to look at some of the reasons why.

But I hope it won’t just be on Sunday that we will be fixing our eyes on Jesus.

It will be something we do each day.

And to help, you hopefully will have already received your copy of a book of daily advent readings (Families / Adults) to encourage you to turn your eyes towards Jesus.

To fix your eyes on Him.

Every day, not just on Sundays.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More Advent/Christmas Kids Talks can be found HERE.

(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)

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KIDS TALK: AND CAN IT BE

November 25, 2020 by dan

Hymn of the Month – And can it be

Powerpoint Pictures: Pictures/Video of famous rescues (e.g. Chilean Miners; Jessica McClure; Miracle on the Hudson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

History is full of some incredible rescues.

You may have heard about some of them.

Do you remember those Chilean miners who were trapped underground for 68 days before they were rescued?

May you know the story of an 18-month-old girl called Jessica McClure who fell into an abandoned well and spent 58 hours at the bottom before she was rescued?

Or the time when an aeroplane after taking off in New York hit a flock of Canadian geese damaging the plane and forcing the pilot to crash land into the Hudson River where the passengers were rescued?

How do you think the miners and their families, the little girl and her parents, the passengers and their relatives felt after they were rescued?

It may be hard for them to put it into words.

Now each of us who trust in Jesus have been rescued. We have been saved from sin and death and hell because Christ died for us. And it can be hard to put it to words how it feels that “The Son of God, loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20).

Which is why it is great that there are some hymns and songs they give us words we can use to express this, and our hymn of the month for this month is one that does this.

The hymn is And can it be? which was written by Charles Wesley most likely a couple of days after his conversion and expresses the amazement that he had been saved by Jesus.

Here’s how the hymn begins. 

And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
 

When we sing these words, we are expressing how amazed we are that God would love us so much that His Son would die for us – because it our sin that caused Him to die.

The next verse describes how incredible what God has done is.  How the One who is God’s Son, who is immortal, dies.  There’s so much we can’t understand, but that doesn’t stop us from adoring God for His mercy. 

’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

In verse 3 we get an explanation of how God has rescued us. First, the Son of God left heaven, humbling Himself by taking on flesh, and becoming a man, so He could die for us, and God’s mercy could find us.

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Then in verse 4 we now get words to express what it feels like when God’s mercy finds us.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. 

We were dead in our transgressions and sins.  We were slaves to sin and Satan.  But God has made us alive, freeing us from Satan’s grip and sins power so we are able to believe in Jesus and follow Him.

We now no longer need to fear the future.  One day we will be with God forever. 

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

So, And can it be? is our hymn of the month.  Here are words we can use to express how it feels to be saved by God.  Let’s do that now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More talks from The Hymn of the Month series can be found HERE.

(Photo: Aaron Burden)

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: And can it be, Hymns, Kids Talk

KIDS TALK: LUKE

November 24, 2020 by dan

The Big Read – Luke

Powerpoint Pictures: Homeless person; Sick person; Prisoner; Group of Women; Group of Children; Jewish man; Sikh woman

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How would you describe the following people? [Poor/Homeless; Sick; Prisoner; Women; Children; Jews; Sikhs]

In Luke’s Gospel people play a big part in the story.

In fact, Luke is interested in all sorts of people.

The reason Luke is interested in all sorts of people is because he has good news for them.

This good news is announced right at the start of his book as he records a message an angel spoke to a group of shepherds the night of Jesus’ birth.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

That’s the big message the whole of Luke’s gospel is about – that Jesus is the Saviour of the World.

Jesus has come to rescue people of all ages, of all backgrounds, of all nationalities who are lost because of their sins and He does this by dying in the place of sinners.

Luke sums all this up later in his book when he records some words that Jesus said: “For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”

Jesus came to rescue lost people and He will rescue you if you ask Him to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More talks from The Big Read for Kids can be found HERE.

(Photo: Freely)

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: Kids Talk, Luke, The Big Read

KIDS TALK: BIG QUESTION #23

November 18, 2020 by dan

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 #23 – What happens after death to those not united to Christ by faith? [NCC Q28]

Powerpoint Pictures: Beautiful Person; Top Footballer; Instagram Follower Count; Clever Person; Top Singer; Shaking Hands

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you hear the following words, what comes to mind?

Ball [Football, Tennis, Basketball, Kick, Throw].

Juice [Orange, Apple, Drink, Healthy, Breakfast].

Mr [Bean, Blobby, Men, T].

Hell [Fire, Darkness, Bad people, Scary, Nether in Mindcraft].

Hell is what we are going to be thinking about in our next Big Question.

This isn’t a nice subject.  It can be difficult to hear about.

But it is real and it is important to know what the Bible says about hell because if we have been saved by Jesus, we need to know what we have been saved from.

Let’s look at our next Big Question now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Q: What happens after death to those not united to Christ by faith?

There’s a famous verse in the Bible, we’re probably familiar with.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

This verse tells us that: God loves the world; God gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross; God gives eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.

There’s one more thing it says.

In that verse there is an important word we must not miss.  Perish.  Those who don’t believe in Jesus will perish.  What does that mean?

It means they won’t go to heaven.  They won’t enjoy God’s blessings.  They will be punished for their sins.  This is how the answer to our Big Question puts it.

A: They will be cast out from the presence of God, into hell, to be justly punished, forever.

We can’t really imagine what that’s like, but what we do know, is that it is the worst thing that could ever happen to someone, which is why God sent Jesus.  He doesn’t want anyone to perish.  He wants us to trust in Him and be saved.

To help us remember why it is so important that we trust in Jesus and keep trusting in Him, let’s say the question and answer out loud together.

What happens after death to those not united to Christ by faith?  They will be cast out from the presence of God, into hell, to be justly punished, forever.

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

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Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: Big Questions, Kids Talk, New City Catechism

KIDS TALK FOR ADVENT

November 17, 2020 by dan

With Advent soon upon us, here are some series of kids talks to use in church in the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.

Series #1: Why Advent?

Advent 1 – Why celebrate Advent?
Advent 2 – Advent says ‘Be Ready!’
Advent 3 – Advent says ‘Be Patient!’
Advent 4 – Advent says ‘Be Excited!’

Series #2: What should we do this Christmas?

Advent 1 – Recognise
Advent 2 – Repent
Advent 3 – Rejoice
Advent 4 – Receive

Series #3: Responding to the Good News of Christmas

Advent 1 – The Wonder of Mary
Advent 2 – The Obedience of Joseph
Advent 3 – The Joy of the Angels
Advent 4 – The Eagerness of the Shepherds

Series #4: Christmas at the Movies

Advent 1 – The Snowman
Advent 2 – The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
Advent 3 – Home Alone
Advent 4 – Elf

(Photo: Hans Kristian Pedersen)

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Filed Under: Pastor's Desk Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Kids Talk

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