Children’s Sermon

Matthew 5:38-48

The Stolen Baseball Glove!

Kyle got a new glove for his birthday. He was ready for Little League. His dad used a felt marker to write his name inside the strap. Kyle could hardly wait to go to his first practice.

That first Little League practice went very well. Kyle liked the way the glove fit. He liked the sound the ball made when it hit the glove. It was almost as great as the sound the bat made when it connected with the ball. All the guys on a team liked his new glove.

A few days later, Kyle and some of his friends went to the park. They threw a few balls and ran the track before Kyle and Joe headed back toward Kyle’s house. Dylan and Eric were still at the park. When they got to Kyle’s house, Kyle realized that he had forgotten his glove. He and Joe ran back to the park, but they couldn’t find it.

Kyle’s parents were sorry to hear that he had lost his glove. They didn’t have money to buy another one, so, Kyle used his old glove, even though it was growing thin in spots, and the strings were wearing out.

A couple of weeks later at Little League practice, Eric was showing off a new glove. Kyle took one look at it and knew it that glove was his. Eric had stolen it. Eric’s name written with in big letters on the thumb.

After that, every time he saw Eric with his new glove he’d get mad. He tried to think of ways to get Eric in trouble. He even tried to think of a way to steal back his own glove.

How would you feel if you knew someone had stolen something from you? (Allow children to respond.) Yes, I’d probably feel a bit like Kyle. But Kyle’s parents helped him to see it differently.

His parents suggested they pray about the situation and even pray for Eric. Kyle didn’t want to pray for Eric. He wanted to get even. Kyle’s dad read a verse from the Holy Bible. “But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). And, finally Kyle said he would try.

After that he would say, “Hi,” to Eric at Little League and he stopped trying to think up mean things to do to him. Kyle still wished he had his glove, but he remembered to be nice to Kyle and even prayed for him.

One day, Eric and his Mother came to Kyle’s house. Eric told Kyle and his parents that he was sorry for stealing the glove and he wanted to return it. He said, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have taken it. You’ve been so nice to me.”

Eric had already marked out his own name and written Kyle’s on the thumb of the glove. Kyle was glad to have his glove back.

Aren’t you glad the story turned out like it did? (Allow children to respond.) Kyle not only got his glove back. He got his friend back, too. Always try to be nice to others, even if they do something that makes you mad.

PRAYER:

Dear God, thank you for friendships. Thank you, too for showing us how to be nice to someone even if they have not been nice to us. Amen.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible