Scripture: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls!

Pastor: Sammy, can you tell everyone what Jesus means by sending his disciples out like lambs in the midst of wolves?

Sammy: Sure, Pastor! Jesus is talking about how vulnerable his disciples will be as they go out to take the good news of the Gospel with them. They are going to face many dangers. Wolves eat lambs like me for a snack.

Pastor: That’s great insight, Sammy. One of the things to keep in mind is that the Holy Spirit equips the disciples, and they have Jesus, the Good Shepherd. So they are not in danger because of these two realities.

Sammy: I also like how Jesus tells them not to bring anything with them.

Pastor: Why is that, Sammy?

Sammy: Well, I like that he will provide for them as they travel. It’s neat that God uses other people to provide for us. And I bet they ate some really good food on the way, too.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what are some of the things that the disciples did for people?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: These are great answers. The disciples shared about Jesus, healed the sick, prayed, and ate with people in a variety of towns. We can do all of these things for our brothers and sisters in Christ today, too.

Sammy: I love that the gift of the Holy Spirit and this commission from Jesus is not just for his twelve original disciples, but for all of us believers today as well.

Pastor: Exactly, Sammy. Let’s say a prayer together. Can you all please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Thank you for leading us to people in need. Help us to be your hands and feet. Help us to pray for and love each other. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls! Pastor, I am ready to go!

Pastor: Where are you going, Sammy?

Sammy: I am going to follow Jesus. And I am all ready to go.

Pastor: But, Sammy, you are already following Jesus. You love Jesus. You are here in church every week, and you use the gifts God gave you to help his kingdom on earth grow.

Sammy: Yes, but I am going to be more intentional now.

Pastor: How so, Sammy?

Sammy: I have a sleeping bag ready for Jesus. My daaa-daaa is still alive and well, and I don’t plow fields. So that means I am intentionally following Jesus.

Pastor: Oh, Sammy.

Sammy: You should see the set up I have for Jesus in the barn. I have a sleeping bag, a scented candle, warm straw. He will love it. It will remind him of being a baby.

Pastor: Sammy, I think you are missing the point of the Gospel reading today.

Sammy: I am?

Pastor: Yes, I think so. Jesus is calling those who follow him to leave everything behind. He wants us to focus on serving him and each other. Following Jesus is about leaving your old life behind and accepting the new live that God is giving you. The new life we have in God is so much fuller, richer, and lovelier than any life we can try to make for ourselves.

Sammy: So Jesus won’t be needing my sleeping bag?

Pastor: No, Sammy. But I think your heart is in the right place for thinking about giving Jesus a place to lay his head. Boys and girls, would you please bow your heads and fold your hands so we can pray together? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to better serve each other and you. Please help us to leave our old lives behind. Please help us look to you for our new lives. We love you, Lord. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, everyone!

Scripture: 

Luke 8:26-39

Script:

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, boys and girls! Pastor, it’s amazing how one simple word from Jesus can change a person’s life.

Pastor: Isn’t that cool, Sammy?

Sammy: Yes it is! What I love about this story from the Gospel reading for today is Jesus sends the man who was healed out to tell everyone about what God has done for him.

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy. And the man goes out and tells everyone he meets about how much Jesus has done for him.

Sammy: He was living like a pig before. That’s not pretty at all.

Pastor: Not quite, Sammy. But you’re pretty close.

Sammy: Hang on, Pastor. The lives that pigs live is very different from the lives that sheep live. I would know. I live with a lot of sheep and there are pigs on our farm, too. Boys and girls, what are some of the differences between pigs and sheep?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Sheep and pigs sleep in different places, eat different foods, and live very different lifestyles.

Sammy: Exactly. And we want to live like sheep. Not like pigs.

Pastor: I like that, Sammy. Jesus calls us to be his sheep; he is the Good Shepherd. We want to follow him like sheep. Let’s say a prayer together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us to live like sheep. Help us to be grateful when you speak and when you call out to us. Thank you for changing our lives. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, everyone!

“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?” (Matthew 25:37-38)

Some will say: “If I had only known, I would have done what you wanted.  I will do whatever it takes to protect myself.”  This is the answer of this world.  The Lord will create a new heart in those who believe, a heart that loves the neighbor.  Having the heart of Jesus causes one to care for those who are around them.  There are those who serve others for their own reason and those who serve because that is in their heart.

Lord, I really do know the difference.  Help me to not play games with myself, and especially not with You.  The world is filled with game-players and I cannot know who is playing a game and who actually is serving because they have a new heart.  Lead me, Lord, to humbly submit to You and go where You would have me go, doing what You give me to do.  Teach me how to follow Your example.

Lord Jesus, it is clear that we are not in competition with others, but that the state of our heart will clearly reveal those who believe versus those who still rebel against Your absolute authority.  Guide me now and always to take the path of humility and follow You.  Help me to move beyond myself so that by Your example, I serve others as You have served me.  Teach me my Savior.  Amen.