Use this children’s sermon and object lesson to help kids understand how the church works together to serve the world in Jesus name. It’s based on Romans 12:1-8.
“We are the Body”
Children’s Sermon on Spiritual Gifts and Living at the Body of Christ
Main Objective: The church is the body of Christ. We hear this more than once in the New Testament, but what does it mean? The body is a great illustration of teamwork for kids. On a spiritual level, we want to communicate how we can use our individual talents to be part of God’s plan and work. This message emphasizes how on our own we may not feel too important, but when we come together, keeping Jesus as the head, we can do wonderful things for God. He has made us to rely on each other, just as the body has parts that work together. We are all able to work and do things together only by God’s grace and blessing.
Law/Gospel Theme: God has given us all special talents and abilities, and He wants us to use them to serve Him and one another. This is not a grudge, but truly a blessing and a gift. We know that every good thing comes from God, and He’s given us the greatest thing of all in Jesus. We recognize that Jesus is the head of His body, and we are its members, called to do His will as we work with one another.
Optional Materials: Several bags or boxes wrapped to look “gift-like.” Inside each one, an element of something required to make a baked or cooked item.
Bible Passage: Romans 12:1-8
Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use your judgment and ideas to best serve students.
More Teaching Ideas on the Body of Christ
- See craft demonstration video on our YouTube playlist on the Body of Christ
- See all Ministry-To-Children resources tagged about the Church as the Body of Christ
- Compare our full Sunday School lesson on the Body of Christ
Children’s Sermon (Romans 12:1-8) We are the Body of Christ
Greet children, with several “presents” at hand:
Hello, children of God! Have you ever received a present? I would hope so, anyway. I have some little gifts here, and maybe you’d like to help me open them and see what’s inside. Can you do that? (Pass out a gift for each student, or open the bags in front of the students. Each bag should have some ingredient which might go into a baked good, but on its own would not be interesting.)
Hmm…this one has a bag of flour! That doesn’t really seem too interesting, does it? Well, here’s some sugar. That could be tasty, but usually not on its own. How about this? Oh, it’s a stick of butter! Well, I guess each of these little things might not seem very thrilling by itself, huh? But think about it: if we brought these items all together, someone like me could mix them, and put them in an oven, and we could bake something delicious, like a cake or cookies! (Option: hold up a final baked product to show off)
Did you know that the church is like this? The Bible tells us that we are a body as a church, like a team. We all have different talents and abilities, just like a body has different parts that do unique and important jobs. You wouldn’t expect your body to function as well if you had a broken leg, would you? In fact, even if you had a small body part off, like a toe or a pinky, you would surely notice, and your body wouldn’t work quite the same.
On our own, we can’t do everything. But if we are willing to use our gifts and talents for God, He will bless them and allow the church to work together. Butter or flour or vanilla, all by themselves, aren’t too useful. But when someone with a plan puts them together and knows how to use them, they make delicious treats! God is like that baker. He has a plan for us. He knows what is best, and how He can use us in special ways. God gives us what we need, and He gives us special skills. Some people are good at teaching, some are good at speaking or organizing or listening well to those in need. Each of us has something to share. We can share with one another, and give back to God and His church. When we do that, the body of Christ can serve other people and do wonderful things. It’s even better than making cookies!
Children’s Prayer Moment
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us unique gifts
Help us to use them for your glory
Allow us to work with one another
Recognizing that we are the body
And YOU are the head
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference: Romans 12:1-8
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. -Romans 12:1-8
This is wonderful. I love your message and your delivery. Thank you for sharing.