Two children’s sermons with lesson options…

Preparing a Table in the Presence of Enemies

This children's sermon about "enemies" is perfect for a Communion Sunday or at a fellowship meal, but works great anytime --especially when you have an actual table to gather at. It can also be expanded into a lesson plan by inviting students to help label various "foods for the table." See notes at the end for more about that.

Begin by asking the kids or congregation to recite as much of Psalm 23 as they can, ABRUPTLY STOPPING THEM when they get to verse 5 -- "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."  Tell them that's the one you want to talk about today.  Ask them what they think that means and accept any answer, then continue with the next section here.

The Psalm 23 image of a table "prepared in the presence of my enemies" has sometimes been unfortunately thought of as a table of exclusion --a feast that the enemies could only see, not share. (Say it like a bratty kid:"I get to sit at the table and YOU DON'T, nana-nana-boo-boo!") Ask them if they think that's what it means. When they "no it doesn't mean that," ask them what they think it means and accept any answer.

Teach them that the primary meaning of "table" to Jesus and his followers is a place where sinners are welcome and healing can begin. Reference: Mark 2:13-17.

"Enemies" can be two people who don't get along, say or do hurtful things. They can be strangers. Or oddly enough, an enemy can be a friend or someone in your family. The point is, the "enemies" God prepares a table for is US!

So how do we prepare a table in the presence of enemies -- people who are sinners just like us? People who make mistakes, say hurtful things, people who argue and hold grudges?  Let me show you how to "prepare a table" like God would to so enemies could meet at it.

In a grocery sack you have collected a number of food items. See each numbered item below for a suggestion of food to pull out and set the table with.

1. The table has to be a safe place. They have to know you won't seek retribution or hurt them.  (Toss a marshmallow, or gummie bears, or piece of lettuce or licorice --i.e. symbols of things that don't hurt or intimidate.)  (You might mention that Jesus used bread at HIS table and broke it to be shared.)
2. It has to be peaceful. They need to know you won't raise our voice or threaten them. (Peanut butter might be a good symbol for food that keeps our mouths busy instead of being able to shout. You could even demonstrate that by having a child eat a spoonful.)
3. It has to be persistent. Love doesn't give up or run out of chances. Keep trying. And keep remembering that even our enemies are loved by God -- even if they don't love us or get along with us, we still treat them with respect -- as much as we can! (Pour out a bag of beans or rice and keep pouring while you say this.)   
4. And most importantly, you have to have already forgiven your enemy BEFORE you reach the table. Forgiveness is not something you reward others with. It's we give away because Jesus gave it away freely too.   Pull out a cookie that you have gift-wrapped and say, in fact, I have already prepared to give you a cookie from my bag -- whether you liked or understood this children's message or NOT!  Or whether one of us will ever say something hurtful or misunderstood to each other. When you start a Table with forgiveness, you will begin to see that your "enemies" are just sinners like you, and all of us are God's children whether we're cranky or not. So whether you want to be my friend or not, and no matter what happens between us, I love you in the name of Jesus and chocolate chip cookies. (Now hand out the cookies.)
   
   Here's a link to a printable/colorful table showing a person setting a table for two people who are each other's enemies. A screenshot of the image is seen in this post above.
   
   Turn the above into a lesson... pass out various types of canned goods and have the kids come up with new labels and descriptions of "what's in the can" that helps resolve conflict between enemies.  Have them "create a commercial" for their food -- showing two enemies in conflict, being invited to the table to eat your food,  explaining how it can help people forgive and come together again.
   
   For further extension, show a photo of an Israeli and a Palestinian and ask what kind of "table" would bring them together so that they could begin to resolve their issues?  Do people have to "agree on things" not to be enemies? Do friends have to agree on everything?  What does God want us to agree on?
   
   
   

A children's sermon about conflict, hurting other's feelings

Originally written by Rotation.org member Nathanael ("rfour") on his website at https://rfour.org/childrensmessage_a_41.html and modified here by member Neil MacQueen.

The object demonstration in this children's sermon is a balloon that you pop by over-blowing it (i.e. what happens to us when we are continually hurt (or hurt someone).

The demonstration uses Matthew 18:15-20 -- "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault" which often doesn't go well between people!   INSTEAD, let me suggest using Ephesians 4:29

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs...."
Ephesians 4:29

Speaking and thinking bad thoughts and words will eventually "hurt" and they can even destroy a person's sense of well-being, safety, and your relationship with them. Nobody likes to see another person hurt. Nobody likes the person who bursts another person's balloon. etc etc.

As you say these things, keep inflating that balloon! (If you need help inflating the balloon, use a bicycle tire pump or enlist a volunteer.)

________________

To add to this children's sermon balloon metaphor, or to extend it into a lesson plan, add this simple but effective "balloon pricking trick" demonstration after the main point is made about popping other people's balloons. This "pin prick" demonstration takes the metaphor about "hurt" in a different direction -- introducing the idea of protecting from hurt and patching hurt. Adjust your language and metaphor as you wish.

1. Blow up a balloon to normal size and then pull out a safety pin.
2. Ask the kids what will happen when the pin hits the balloon.
3. Pop the balloon.
4. Pull out another balloon and blow it up. "This is you again, thin-skinned, a little too quick to have your feelings hurt and explode on people with hurtful words."
5. Now pull out a piece of colorful packing tape and press it onto the side of the balloon. Call it love and faith, a desire for peace, being thougtful instead of "reactionary." Whatever you like.
6. Now ask them what will happen when I put the pin to the balloon!  It won't pop.
7. Slowly stick the pin into the tape. It won't pop. Remove the pin.
8. Add another piece of your metaphor over the pin hole to seal it again. God "seals and heals."

Point: When you have love for others, even your enemies, you won't explode on them with hurtful words and fists. Things like love, prayer, forgiveness can prepare you to act in godly ways towards others, instead of "exploding on them." And when you are feeling hurt, ask God to "seal and heal" your feelings. When you do that, there's a real opportunity for healing with the person who brought you pain in the first place.

It's not a perfect metaphor (what is), but it's a comforting and instructive one!

The "tape" on the balloon is strangely synonymous with bandaids, which of course, KID LOVE TO WEAR. That brings to mind one of the great "healing" traditions kids have to look forward to when they or a friend breaks their wrist or arm and they ask people to SIGN THEIR CAST.

So in this final "reflection" portion of our plausible lesson, why not create "casts" for each kid's arm and work on having everyone sign each other's casts with positive affirmations that protect and build up each other.  Ask for suggestions and make a list. Include a number "what would Jesus write on your cast?" suggestions. (The teacher could add a verse segment to from our lesson.)

Question: What can you use for a quick "cast" material that will hold up to the kids winging it around?  Construction paper tears too easily. How about cutting "cast" sections from a vinyl table cloth -- the inexpensive kind you buy for a party table. Tape these around the kids' arm like a cast and write on them with permanent markers. Before you do, make sure the kids understand the importance of saying something positive and not messing around.