Children’s Sermon

Mark 1:4-11

Life Giving Spirit

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Object suggested: A glass of water. See suggestion for graph in text below.

How simple – a glass of cool, clean water, yet water is so important to all of us. Where do we find water? Yes, rivers, lakes, oceans. What about rain? And what about snow, a frozen form of water?

Water is in the fruits and vegetables we eat and the juices we drink. We use water to wash our clothes, to bathe, and to brush our teeth. It helps keep us clean.

Would it surprise you to know that our bodies are mostly made up of water? When we are born our bodies are about seventy-eight percent water. (Illustrate using a simple pie-shaped percentage graph or illustrate on chalkboard, if available.)

We need water! Water is necessary to all of life – humans, animals, and plants – all living things. John the Baptist arrived before Jesus to minister to the people and he baptized them with water. We could say water is a symbol of life.

Even as important as water is, John the Baptist tells us this: “I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit” (1:8).

When you accept God’s love, God’s Spirit – the Holy Spirit becomes a part of who you are. God’s love is within you. It guides you, nurtures you, and helps you live the best possible life. It is life-giving. We need water and we need God’s Spirit!

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2009, Richard Niell Donovan