Sit in silence for 15 minutes.

Psalm 63:1-8

  • One might talk with the children about being thirsty.  What is that like?  Is anyone thirsty right now?  Though I am not fond of object lessons, it might help children think about how God can be present in them by talking of God as the water that helps them when they are thirsty.  Bring some water to share at the end.
  • You might take this opportunity to talk with the children about how the Psalms have inspired many hymns, secular songs, and art.  Spend some time with your hymnal and see how many of your congregation’s “favorite” hymns are based on a psalm.  You could talk to the children about that list.
  • One could have the children help create a prayer based on this psalm. Do a simple word- game with the children to create a prayer.  Roll out some paper on the floor.  Ask the children to draw a picture or write a word they think of when they hear the phrases: “walk in your ways, praise you, follow you.”  Create your own words or phrases from Psalm 63.  Post the banner somewhere in the sanctuary or church building.  If you or the preaching minister is a quick thinker, this prayer of words and pictures from the children could be part of the morning’s pastoral prayer.

Isaiah 55:1-9

  • This is an opportunity to talk with the children about knowing what is good for us versus what may be bad for us.  You may want to choose one or more of the commandments and talk to the children about how they help us all live together and with God.  If your congregation is following a Lenten theme, you could incorporate this into learning what is good.
  • One could set a table (maybe the communion table) and invite the children to join you there.  The conversation around the table could focus on God’s kingdom being like a place where all the food and drinks are free.  What would that be like?

I Corinthians 10:1-13

  • Talk with the children about what the biblical story is for you and your expression of Christian faith.  These stories are supposed to help us know something about God.  Do you have a favorite story or two?  Do the children have a favorite story?  What do those stories teach?
  • Talk with the children about what it means to be an example for others.  You may have had this conversation with the children earlier, but it is a common biblical theme, and it is the responsibility of Christians to be examples in our living.  Thus, it cannot be visited too often with children.

Luke 13:1-9

  • Talk with the children about what the parables of Jesus are.  You could introduce the word “riddle” to the children and talk about what a riddle is supposed to do.  A couple of classic riddles that sound like children’s jokes. 
    1)  Where is the ocean the deepest?  [the bottom] 2) What does an invisible person drink? [evaporated milk]
  • You could highlight this parable in Luke and then talk about your favorite parables with the children.
  • This is an opportunity to introduce the children to the words “repent” and “repentance.”  Be ready with a simple, but not an oversimplified, definition to give them.  How does your congregation speak of repentance?  Is it a one-time change in heart, attitude, or behavior, or do Christians practice repentance daily?  One option would be to talk to the children about the last time you “repented” or felt “repentance.”  How is your example a teaching story that helps the children on the sacred steps think about times when they “repented” or felt “repentance?”