Children’s Sermon

Mark 13:1-8

Following Along

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Pictures of cows
Pictures of collie dogs

When I was a little girl I spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm. In the evening, when it was time for the cows to be milked, my grandfather sent the farm dog, Tippy, out into the fields to bring the cows to the barn.

Tippy, a collie dog, would start the cows down the hill to the barn. The cows formed a line behind the lead cow and they all walked in single file.

Every evening the same thing happened. The cows followed the lead cow and no cow ever got out of line.

I’m telling you this story because sometimes it seems easy to follow someone without thinking about what we are doing. Perhaps a playmate suggests doing something that may seem like fun, but is dangerous. We always need to be good thinkers and do what is right rather than following along.

You may hear one child teasing another child and be tempted to follow along. God’s Spirit that lives within us gives us wisdom to know right from wrong.

Be a good thinker and listen to God’s Spirit that helps you make the right decision.

Jesus said, “Be careful that no one leads you astray” (13:5). Sometimes even people who love us may set a bad example or give bad advice without recognizing what they are doing.

The answers to many of our questions are found in the Bible as we learn about the life of Jesus. Study, pray for wisdom, listen to God’s Spirit, and make choices you know are right.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2009, Richard Niell Donovan