LESSON: Why should we follow Jesus’ teachings
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Thessalonians 2 (and others)
Ask the children, “Do you know why your folks (avoid the word “parents.” Not every child has a specific Mom and Dad) brought you to church today? I bet a lot of you – and (looking at the congregation) a lot of them – would have liked to sleep in or watch TV or gone out to breakfast. But you know why they brought you here? Because it is the right thing to do. Nobody forced them to do this, but they know that celebrating Jesus with friends is the right thing to do. It is right to pray together and sing together and laugh together and be together. But that’s your folks and they do a lot of things and I know they always try to do the right thing to do.
But what about you? Do you always do the right thing to do? If you fuss with your brother or sister, is that the right thing to do? Noooooooo. If you don’t listen to your folks and leave things a mess in your bedroom, is that the right thing to do? No? What do you think is the right thing to do? (Good luck getting an answer. The only kid who will respond is the one who will go off on a tangent that you will have to bring back to the topic.)
How about sharing? Is sharing the right thing to do? Jesus tells us to not hide a light but let it glow so everyone can use it. He says “give to the one who asks you,” and this includes your family who want to share your dessert. Why should we do this? Because it is the right thing to do.
Should we listen to our grown-ups when they tell us to do something? Well, I checked with MY Mom, and she said “yes.” And Jesus tells us to do so, because it is the right thing to do.
But WHY should we do the right thing to do? We usually don’t get a reward or a prize and sometimes nobody even knows it! WHAT A RIPOFF! But it’s really simple. Even if we think no one is watching and no one will know when we do the right thing to do, we should still do it. Because two people will know you did the right thing — you and God. And as long as the two of you are pleased with doing the right thing, than it will always be the right thing to do.
Let’s say a prayer. Let’s say “thank you” to God for giving us so many opportunities to do the right thing and for those who are here with us who help us. And together, may we always do – the right thing to do.