Luke 12:49-56
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! Good morning, Pastor!
Pastor: Sammy, I am really glad that you and I are Christians.
Sammy: Yes we are. Otherwise church would be really awkward.
Pastor: Well, Sammy, in our Gospel reading today, Jesus is talking about families not getting along. Boys and girls, do you ever disagree with your siblings, cousins, or parents? What is that like?
[Allow time for responses]
Pastor: When Jesus walked on earth, he shared that he is God, and a lot of people believed in him and followed him. When they told their families about Jesus, some members of the family believed, and some didn’t.
Sammy: That seems like a tricky situation.
Pastor: It was. And it still is. During and after Jesus’s time, a lot of Christians had to go into hiding, even from their own families. Jesus proclaimed to be God—he is God, and that message divided a lot of people.
Sammy: You know, Pastor, some of my family members don’t believe in Jesus. I don’t have to hide from them, but it’s hard to talk to them about my faith.
Pastor: That’s understandable. It’s hard when you believe in the good news of Jesus Christ but someone in your family does not.
Sammy: But what can I do? How can I encourage my family to see Jesus for who he truly is?
Pastor: We can do lots of things. We can pray for them, love them, share stories from the Bible and our favorite scripture with them. One of the best things we can do is live a life that glorifies Jesus in all that we say and do.
Sammy: And what happens when they come to believe in Jesus?
Pastor: Well, the next step is baptism. When we are baptized, we become a part of God’s family. God wants each of us to be a part of his family. He chooses us, and we get to experience his great love through the Sacrament and gift of baptism.
Sammy: That truly is a gift.
Pastor: Yes it is. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Dear Jesus, thank you for the good news that you bring to us. Help us to pray for others and to live a life that brings you glory. We love you. Amen.
Sammy: Bye, everyone!
Pastor: Bye, Sammy! Bye boys and girls!
