Doing the right thing by others

Today's selected readings: –Luke 3: 7 – 18

• Are you a person who shares things or not? (Discuss)
• What about sharing with your brothers/Sisters (Discuss)
• Sadly there are lots of selfish people in the world who have everything. Brand new house, New Car, New Golf clubs, New Pool. table etc
• Often these are the people who when they give a donation to a good cause - Eg: Homeless kids, Cancer appeal etc, they will only give small change (Anything less than $10)
• But as you get older, you soon realise that material possessions mean very little in finding happiness. The most important and valuable thing we have is our friendships with others.
• "Life without friends is like a garden without flowers" - Explain
• We spoke last week about a man who lived in the desert - Do you remember his name and what he was doing? (Discuss)
• Today we read how John is asked how they can be a more effective tool for God
• He tells them they are to share what they have with others (That does not mean you are silly. If a friend breaks your favourite toy in anger, you are not expected to share any further toys with that person.)
• What John is saying, is that we should always be conscious of those not as fortunate as ourselves and help them when we can.
• During this last month many adults have shared their time to make sure our Lighting Festival is up and running by last Friday (and it was). Time is a very precious thing and it is important that we share it with others.
• That is, in part, what we are doing this morning. Sharing our time together in worship now and in fellowship after the service.
• God wants us to show we love our extended family, and one way we can do that is share our precious time with them.

Kids Church Activity:

To fill bottle with various coloured sands half full. Then place a list around the inside wall of bottle (facing outwards) of the things you are sorry about. Add additional coloured sands to fill the bottle. Put lid on and then attach the slogan to the bottle. The list to include making amends. I am sorry for being grumpy yesterday, I am sorry for disobeying Mum etc. The slogan on the bottle could read “God is happy when we show we are sorry”.

What you need to get ready:
Baby food jars with lids, dry sand, powdered tempera paint (various colours), plastic spoons, large plastic cups, VERY large paper clips, coloured wool, hole punch, white paper, pencils, pieces of card for slogan.