THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME
Scripture: 3 John (NIV); Philippians 2:9-10 (NIV)
Season/Sunday: Any
Focus: This sermon focuses on the name of Jesus and the importance of the name.
Experience: Children will help solve the mystery of 3 John 7 by searching for the clue.
Arrangements: If your worship area has a large pulpit Bible, then you should plan to use it to solve the mystery of the name. If not, plan to carry a Bible yourself as you go out in search of the clue. Arrange ahead of time for someone to bring a study Bible with a concordance to worship. On cue, this volunteer will look up the word name in the concordance, and find the reference to Philippians 2:9-10, thus providing the clue. A cape and magnifying glass would be fun props for the leader!
Leader: | Hello, kids, I’m so glad to see you today! Today there is a mystery afoot, and I am going to need your help. Third John verse 7 says, “It was for the sake of the Name that they went out” (NIV). Will you help me find a clue to solve the mystery of the name? |
Children: | Yes! Okay! |
Leader: | Good. Let’s think about this (repeating verse slowly), “It was for the sake of the Name that they went out” Aha! So they “went out.” I guess that means we should go out too (get up and start walking into the worship area). And that’s the mystery, isn’t it? We’ve got to find a clue to know what the name is. Well, what are you waiting for (hands on hips)? We’ve got a mystery to solve. Come on, we’re going out to look for a clue (motion for the kids to join you)! (Note: if one of the children suggests that the name might be “Jesus,” cover by saying, “That could be, but we aren’t sure yet!”) Maybe we can find a clue under here (lean down to look under an unoccupied pew or chair). Do you think we can find out what the name is under here? |
Children: | (Engage in the search.) |
Leader: | Hmmm. I wonder if it is up in one of these windows? |
Children: | No! |
Leader: | Well, could it be behind your ear? |
Children: | (Laughter) No! |
Leader: | Well, then, we only have one more place to look. (Turn to the congregation.) Does anyone have a study Bible with a concordance? |
Volunteer: | I do! |
Leader: | That’s great because a concordance is a list that tells us where different words are used in the Bible. (To the volunteer:) Will you look up the word name and give us a clue as to where we can look? (Begin rubbing your hands together in delight.) I think this is going to work, don’t you? |
Children: | Yes! |
Volunteer: | The word name shows up in Philippians 2:9-10. |
Leader: | I knew it! The Bible gives us clues to help us understand the Bible! Let’s look it up! (Hurry to the pulpit Bible, or use another one.) Here it is; repeat these words after me: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place (pause for echo) and gave him the name that is above every name (pause), that at the name of Jesus (pause) every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:9-10 NIV). So! The mystery of the name is solved! (Reverently:) I think we need to kneel like the verse says, and let’s have a prayer thanking God for the name of Jesus. (Prayer) |
Bob Sharman
(The Abingdon Children’s Sermon Library, vol. 3, ed. Brant D. Baker © 2008 by Abingdon Press. Adapted and used by permission.)