05/24/2020 CHILDREN’S CHURCH MESSAGE: Paul Teaches in Athens

Welcome! We’ve come together today to celebrate that God sent Jesus for us!
It’s good news that Jesus was born, died on the cross, came back to life, and is coming again soon. It’s good news because it’s true! It’s good news because God is alive and real. Some people think that God is just a nice idea or a good feeling. Some people think God is just a powerful force. They don’t realize he is a real, live being.
• What are some things you’ve heard people say about who God is?
(That God is an idea people made up; that God is just a force in the universe.)
Our God is the creator of the universe. That means he’s big. But he cares about even the tiniest things! He cares about you and me and about the details of what happens to us every day. He’s our Savior. He’s our friend! That’s because he is alive.
God cares about us every minute of our lives. If we ask, God will help us with everything we do. We can hope in him.
Right now, while we’re worshiping, people are worshiping God in other churches and homes throughout the world. God is changing hearts and lives. That’s because he is alive and involved with us. God isn’t something we just make up. He’s real! So let’s shine his light.
(Think… This Little Light of Mine ?)
If I gave you rock, wood, gold/silver, what would you make? Now, imagine praying to whatever you just made and worshiping it. Sound funny and unbelievable? People all over the world worship things made out of stone and metal. We’re going to hear a Bible story today about people who worshiped idols. These idols were made out of materials like rock, wood, and gold/silver.
• Do we ever worship things made out of stone, wood, or gold/silver? Explain.
(No, we worship God; sometimes we worship things we can see that we want.)
Most of you would probably answer no to that question. But think about it this way: Is something in your life more important to you than God is? For some people that something is money, for others it’s toys, and for others it’s friends. That’s what an idol is — anything that is more important than God.
Close your eyes for a moment. What’s most important in your life? Is it a person? a thing? a pet? a place? Now ask yourself what’s more important — whatever you thought of or God? Be honest before God. Only you and he need to know. Open your eyes now.
All people and things are created. We need to make sure we worship the Creator of everything, not the stuff that’s been created. Only the living Creator will truly satisfy us. Let’s come to Jesus now and let him fill us up.
Our God is a good and loving God. He is alive and real! Let’s worship him for choosing us to love. Worship him with your whole heart for being a strong God who helps us be strong.

? Lord God, you are worthy of our praise! You are a powerful Savior and an awesome God. We worship you and give you all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Thank you for being alive and real. We love you, Lord.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.