Children's Sermon John 17:6-19 Tag, You're It! By Lois Parker Edstrom Pictures of relay teams Have you ever played tag? One person, from a group of kids, is picked to be "it." The other kids run away from the person who is "it" trying not to get caught. When the person who is "it" [...]

Jesus asked God to protect us and to help us learn to get along together so we feel united like one family - God's family. As Jesus prayed he said, "I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours" (17:9). This prayer reveals that each one of us is a precious child of God. In a way, Jesus was acting as our interpreter, taking our requests to God and asking for his blessing on behalf of you and me.

We all have special work to do. As you are growing and becoming an adult it is important that you find what it is that you are meant to do. One of your friends may become a teacher, another may own a store. One may become a truck driver, another may be an artist. Through our work we all have an opportunity to honor God.

After the joey is born the mother licks a pathway on her fur to help the baby find the pouch. The tiny kangaroo follows the path and once inside the pouch, is safe and warm. It has everything it needs, including milk, which is squirted into its mouth. The baby has been guided, into the pouch by its mother. When Jesus was preparing to go to heaven he talked with his disciples, who were sad because he was leaving them. He told them that after he left, the Holy Spirit would come to guide them. He said, "…when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth…" (16:13).

The disciples of Jesus experienced a similar thing. While Jesus was on earth and lived among his disciples, the disciples saw his goodness and holiness. They loved him. They understood that Jesus must return to heaven and it was difficult for them to say goodbye. Jesus knew they were sad and perhaps a bit frightened. He told them that after he returned to heaven the "Spirit of truth" would come to guide them.

The Holy Spirit is the part of God that lives within each one of us and helps guide us in the ways of God. The Spirit teaches us to know what is true and right. The Holy Spirit is much more than a souvenir or memento that reminds us of God. It is God's Spirit that lives in us and will be with us always.

This lesson is meant to encourage you to be a careful listener. There is another kind of listening that Jesus talks about in the Bible. Just before Jesus left this earth to be with God he told his disciples that God would send the "Spirit of truth" (16:13). He said, "… when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth" (16:13). The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, is the part of God that lives in us and helps us know what is true.