Children's Day Program: Running this race by God’s grace (with bonus Sermon)

Song Service: 

Theme song: #109 Marvelous Grace

Welcome:

Scripture Reading: (1 John 4:7-12)

Prayer: 

Introduction:

Audio Visual Room: (Announcement of race from Announcer) 

Scene 1 

*This scene comprises of three participants. Runner 1, Pleasures of this world and a messenger. Please label each participant with the tag runners’ use.

First runner: (Comes in jogging) I feel tired, I think I should rest a little. Yes I’ll relax while I look at the wonderful landscape. God created this earth so beautiful.

 Pleasures of the world: (enters from the front door and walks up to meet the first runner) Hello, traveler. What brings you here? 

First runner: I am participating in the race that goes to heaven, but I decided to sit down a while and look at the beauty of nature that is along the away.

Pleasures of the world: Well, I have a better place for you. Come, let’s go to the city where I live. You will be able to enjoy every type of entertainment and attraction without end. Once you get to know the pleasures of the world, you will have more energy to continue your path to heaven.

First runner: I am not sure. You see, we received the instruction; not to leave the straight and narrow path. 

 Pleasures of the world: Don’t even worry. The city is close. You won’t lose a lot of time. You could run away quickly and come back whenever you want. Think about it. I will be waiting for you. (Pleasures of this world exits). 

First runner (stands with hand folded and thinking)

Messenger 1: (walks up to first runner and reassures her) Hello, traveler. I am the heavenly messenger and I am here to help you reach your goal. Remember that you must follow the recommendations. Open your Instruction Manual to 1 John 2:15-17(find and read from Bible)

First runner: Yes, thank you, Messenger. Good thing you’re here. The truth is that I don’t want to lose my way. Could you continue to explain it to me? (They talk and they leave through the left door).

Beginner/Kindergarten class goes to the front of the church to recite their memory verses from the past quarter.

The Secretary’ Report 

Audio Visual Room: (Announcement of race to continue)

Scene 2 

(A second runner appears, He is dressed in elegant attire and looks very happy. 

The first runner enters running, while the second runner stops her to talk).

Second runner: Hey, Wait a moment. Where are you going so fast? I know you … We began this race together, do you remember me?

First Runner: Of course I remember who you are, but can I politely ask, what happened to you? You look better now and you seem rested and full of energy.

Second runner: Of course I look better since I dropped out of that miserable race! I’m tired of that life of self-denial and only being able to go to certain places. Look at me. I eat anything I want and I have better health than before. My friends who abandoned me have come back; I do everything I want to, and I am a happy person in this stage of life. Let me give you some advice: drop out of this race. Look at yourself. You look extremely tired. You are physically worn out. You will only find misery on that path. That is not life, man. 

First runner: Thanks, friend, but I have decided to continue to the end. I want to receive the crown of life. The manual says that we will have suffering, but it also speaks to us about the promise that the Lord will help us to come out victorious.

Second runner: You’re crazy, buddy. You are not going to be able to make it; the path is very rough and hard to go through. You still have to go through many valleys of sadness and death, but if you stay here with me, you will be able to enjoy yourself from now on. Well, I’m not going to keep wasting my time with you. Off I go to enjoy the good life. (He leaves at the front door, First runner stands and looks at him). 

Messenger 2: ( walks up to first runner and reassures her)Traveler, you should know that on your path to heaven, you will meet many who, following the customs of this world, will stray away from the truth. Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

First runner: Thanks, Messenger. It is truly difficult to walk alone on the path, but your company has been very helpful. I would like you to continue teaching me since I still have a lot to learn. (The two leave at the right door talking.)

Primary class goes to the front and introduces the class and recite what class their memory verse and song.

Audio Visual Room: Announcement of race to continue

Scene 3 :

(first runner enters and sits at step) I have almost reached the goal, but I am very tired and I am very sad. Some of my loved ones have died and arriving at the goal seems further away every day. I had to suffer because of the gospel. I have been rejected, discriminated against, and feel that I am the only one who has kept going until the end. It seems that God has abandoned me. 

(Messenger 1 and Messenger 2 enters)

Messenger 2: Don’t give up; the end is already near. Look, (points to congregation) you are not the only one who has arrived so far. Do you see those pilgrims who are before us? Like you, they will get to the finish line.

Third runner comes from the congregation: Hi, I’m very glad to meet you. I imagine that you, like us, have gone through difficult moments on your path to heaven. Come on, cheer up! It’s time to fulfill our most treasured dream. We are already near the city, and although we still need to go through some valleys and mountains, now you will do it with our group. Together, we can do it.

Messenger 1: Brothers and sisters, we hope you will keep on going until you attain victory. Jesus Himself once said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. No matter what difficulties you have had to face, God will soon give you your reward.

(Messenger 1, Messenger 2 and First runner hugs each other and leaves, singing “Standing on the promises’’

Mission Report:

Junior and other classes go up to the front of the church and repeat their memory verses.

Closing Remarks

Bonus Sermon. 

Running this race by God’s grace

*This sermon is appropriate for a child under the age of 11.*

Good morning Church,

Today I am ready to run ��

Like Paul I am going to run to get the prize.

Church are you ready to run this race?

Don’t forget to tie your lace?

Lest you fall, into temptation.

This race is for the strong and feeble

Because if you get tired

God will give you the wings of an eagle

Are you ready?

On your mark,

Ready

Set,

No!

No! I can’t go.

I can’t run this race.

I can’t run… I can’t even walk, without you holding my hand.

Who am I to run this race, without my G.

I can’t run this race without my G. O. D.

Because when my G. Is in the race, I have Grace.

Because when my G. Is in the race, I have Grace.

GOD can see that I am weak,

I can’t run, I can’t walk

So in 2nd Corinthians 12:9 

He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you:

for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

If I run and I fall

I don’t have to stay down

Ephesians 1:7 promises that

I have “the forgiveness of sins,

according to the riches of His grace”

God’s grace doesn’t only help me when I fall

But in Jude 1:24 it says “God will also keep me from falling”

God is the G in Grace

And now he wants my R - R is for Relationship.

Every great athlete has a relationship with their coach

Anybody who is saved by grace will worship God.

This means reading the bible and praying every day.

This means making the word come alive in their life.

As we get closer to God, he will get closer to us.

So close, that nobody can tell the difference.

We will be changed to be loving and compassionate like Jesus

Then we will get a grade A in grace.

A is for Activity – You can’t win a race without exercise.

When we become like Jesus

We will live an active life like Jesus

He walked all around the country.

Jesus helped the poor

He healed the sick

He fed the hungry

He cast out crazy demons.

God’s Grace puts us in action.

This active life requires courage

C is for Courage –

In any race, you will have to be prepared physically

and Men-tal-ly.

We need Courage and Confidence to run this race.

Hebrew 4:16 Says

Let us approach God's throne of grace with

confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find

grace to help us in our time of need.

This courage comes from faith in God,

And Romans 10:17 says faith comes from reading the word.

When you run this race with courage

You will not be afraid to tell the world about God

To Evangelize

E is for Evangelism – An African Proverb says:

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far,

go together.”

The aim is that we go the distance,

And that we take others with us on the journey

This race is not for the swift,

But he that shall endure unto the end,

the same shall be saved.

To be a great runner, you must take care of your feet.

The Bible in Romans 10:15 says “How beautiful are

the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Let’s see how much you have learned.

We cannot run the race without? Grace

G is for? God

R is for? Relationship

A is for? Activity

C is for? Courage

E is for? Evangelism

Our goal in this race is not just to get to the end,

1 Corinthians 9:25 reminds us that

everyone who competes in the games

goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last,

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 

So let is Try this one more time.

JUMPING JACKS

On your marks

Get Set

Go!

Go by God’s Grace.