Children’s Sermon

Matthew 22:15-22

Following Life’s Rules

Have you ever been to the library? There’s an important rule for being there. Do you know what it is? (Be quiet so others can read.)

You probably have a whole list of rules at school. Can you tell me a few? (Solicit children’s answers.)

And how about driving in the car? Are there rules there too? There sure are – and those rules are so important for keeping us safe that – if we break them – we might even be asked to stop by the police.

Our lives are full of rules, aren’t they? And some of them are so important that they become laws – which are rules that everyone has to follow.

In today’s Gospel story Jesus is asked a trick question: Whose rules does he follow? (In other words, does he follow people’s rules or God’s?)

How would you answer that question? Whose rules do you follow? (Solicit children’s answers – guiding as necessary to establish that they follow both God’s rules and those of man.)

You’re so smart. Jesus wasn’t tricked by that question either. He explained in his own words that it’s important to do both – but that we follow God’s rules all the time.

So at school we follow school rules…and in the car we follow road rules…and we’ll even whisper in the library – but we let God’s rules guide us no matter where we are.

Will you remember God’s rules this week? Good.

Let’s pray.

Dear God,
We follow many rules in life, but none are more important than yours. Guide us as we work to be faithful followers during the week ahead.

Amen.