Sermon

Trusting Jesus

Theme

Trusting Jesus

Object

None. Play the "Who Do You Trust?" game.

Scripture

And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. Mark 6:56 (NIV)

A long, long time ago before any of you were born there was a television game show called "Who Do You Trust?" Today, we are going to play our own version of the "Who Do You Trust?" game. Here is how the game is played. First, I will tell you what type of question I am going to ask. For example, I might tell you that I am going to ask a Bible question. Then I will say to one of you, "Who do you trust?" You must then choose another person you trust to answer the question correctly.

Are you ready to play? Okay, let's play! I have a Bible question. Johnny, Who do you trust? (Johnny then chooses a person to answer the question. Be sure that the questions are ones that the children can answer so that no one will be embarrassed.)

Here is the question, "What person in the Bible was swallowed by a great big fish?" (Jonah, of course.)

Great job! Johnny knew that he could trust (name) to answer that question.

Let's try that again. This time I have a question about television. Mary, Who do you trust? (Mary chooses someone that she trusts to answer the question correctly.)

The question is, "Who is green and lives in a trash can on Sesame Street?" (Oscar the Grouch. Surely you knew that!)

(Continue to play as time permits.)

Wow! You guys are really smart!

Playing the "Who Do You Trust?" game can be a lot of fun, but in real life, it is much more than a game. It is very important for us to know in whom we can trust -- and I know where to find the answer. I can find the answer to that question in the Bible, because the answer is the same today as it was 2000 years ago.

There were many people in Jesus' day who needed healing from all sorts of diseases. They followed Jesus everywhere he went. There were so many people following them that Jesus and his disciples seldom even had time to stop and rest. One day they got into a boat and sailed away toward the other side of the lake. As soon as they stepped out of the boat on the other side, people immediately recognized Jesus and began bringing their sick friends and family members to Jesus. Wherever Jesus went, people would place sick people along the path where he walked. Why? Because they knew that in their time of need, Jesus was the one they could trust. They trusted Jesus so much that all they asked was to be able to touch the hem of his robe. Who did they trust? They trusted Jesus and because of that, the Bible tells us that all who touched Jesus were healed.

Each day we find ourselves facing difficult situations. We have tough questions to answer and difficult choices to make. We often ask ourselves, "Who can I trust?" The answer is, "Jesus." Just as the people in Jesus' day knew that they could trust Jesus to make them well, you and I can trust Jesus to meet our needs in every situation.

Who do you trust? Jesus!

Dear Jesus, we are looking for someone in whom we can trust. We put our trust in you. Amen.