Children’s Sermon

John 12:20-36

Follow Me

By Dr. Dan Wuori

Have you ever seen a really long train?

I am always amazed to see just how long they can be. Did you know that the longest train ever stretched almost 5 miles (7.83km)? It had 8 engines that pulled almost 700 cars. Now that’s one big train!

The thing that’s always fascinated me about watching those really long trains is how – sooner or later – all of the cars follow the same path as the first engine as it pulls them down the tracks. It’s like follow the leader. If the front engine turns in one direction or another, all the rest of the cars will turn in just that same spot. (Note: Depending on the number of children in your group you may wish to model this concept here by having the children form a “train” that follows you in a line.)

In today’s Gospel lesson Jesus says that “whoever serves me must follow me – and where I am, there my servant will be also.”

It’s sort of like our train, isn’t it? Jesus is telling us that the way to lead lives that will be pleasing to God is to follow his example.

We can’t follow Jesus in the same way that the train cars do, can we? He’s not here with us to watch and copy every day (following Jesus takes more thinking) – but we can still follow his example by leading our lives in ways that follow the examples he set for us in the Bible: by caring for those who need us, by being kind and generous, showing our love and sharing – when we do those things we’re letting Jesus be our leader…just like those big locomotives that pull the train down the tracks.

It’s not always easy. But the good news is that we have chances to follow every day. Why don’t we make a train sound as we get ready to pray. Are you ready?

TOOT, TOOT!

Let’s pray.

Dear God,

We thank you for the example and leadership of your son, Jesus. Help us to follow in his footsteps during the week ahead.

Amen

Copyright 2009, Dr. Dan Wuori. Used by permission.