Children’s Sermon

Mark 8:31-38

Keep Going

Mark 8:31-38

OBJECTS SUGGESTED:

Helmet, harness, and ropes used for wall climbing, if available.

Wall climbing is an exciting adventure. Before you begin you are fitted with a harness that is tied off so, if you loose your footing, you will not fall and hurt yourself. A helmet is useful too, to protect you if you should slip and bump your head against the wall.

Wall climbing is a strenuous activity. You must find an area to place your foot and another area, higher up, to grab onto with your hand. Then you must lift yourself into an upright position. You continue doing this, first with one foot, and then the other as you climb the wall.

You may get very tired. You may feel as if your arms and legs will not hold you up any longer. As you approach the top, if you look down, you may feel a bit frightened. Wall climbing is a difficult activity, but when you succeed in reaching the top, you will feel as if you have accomplished something – and you have! You kept going even though you were tired, and perhaps even discouraged or frightened.

Just before Jesus died on the cross he talked about the difficulty of being a Christian, of being his follower. He said, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (8:34).

Jesus was saying that to be his follower there will be difficult times, but if you keep going even though you may feel tired, discouraged, or frightened you will know and be filled with the love of God which is the greatest reward.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible