Start with singing songs as the kids arrive and to get their attention focused.
Narrator: Good morning boys and girls! It’s great to see you again this morning! Do you remember what we’ve been talking about for the last few Sundays? [see if you get any guesses] Remember, we started before Christmas talking about Jesus being born, then we talked about the wise men coming at Epiphany – do you remember the word Epiphany? – and for the last few weeks we’ve been talking about Jesus’ stories. They’re called “parables”. Do you remember any of the parables? [see if you get any guesses here. Fill in the ones that are missing – Good Samaritan, Lost Sheep, Mustard Seed].
Today’s story is called “The Sower”.
Cam: [appearing] I take a sower every night! My mommy and daddy make me do it because I get a lot of sand in my hair.
Narrator: Good morning, Cam! I’m glad to hear to take a shower every day, but today’s story is about a sower. Do you know what a sower is?
Cam: Hmmm [thinking] someone who sews clothes together, right?
Narrator: Well, yes, but Jesus was talking about a different kind of sower. Sowing can also mean planting seeds. He was talking about someone who plants seeds so that plants can grow.
Cam: Oh! I get it! Jesus wants us to plant seeds! I did that last week in Sunday School! We planted some seeds in cups and brought them home. I don’t think I was very good at it, though. Mine haven’t done anything.
Narrator: Well, Cam, you have to wait a while to get seeds to grow, but that’s not exactly what Jesus was talking about. Remember, in his stories he’s trying to tell you something about being a good Christian. There’s a moral – a lesson to learn in the story. In this story, he’s really talking about telling other people about God. He wants everyone to share God’s love.
Cam: You mean like the people who wear the robes at the front of the church? I like their robes (I wear robes all the time, see! [shows off robes], but I don’t think I could do that. I’m not very good at making up speeches and I’d get really nervous up there.
Narrator: Cam, there are other ways to share God’s love than just talking to them about God. You can share God’s love by singing in the choir. You can share God’s love by being nice to your friends. You can share God’s love by helping out your parents. You can share God’s love by giving an offering in church. [side note – this is the “time, talents, gifts, and service message] Those are all good ways, to share God’s love.
Cam: Hey, I can do some of those things! I give part of my allowance to church every week. I helped my mommy dust the house this week. And I sing in my church’s Camel Choir. We’re really good! We sing songs like [singing each title] “We Three Camels” and “Joy to the Camels” and “Silent Camels”.
Narrator: That’s wonderful, Cam. I think you are doing a very good job sharing God’s love. Plus – you came here and talked to all of these boys and girls … and you’re already wearing a robe. Maybe someday you really could be up in front at church!
Cam: Me? Wow! I guess you’re right. Maybe I could someday grow up to be a preacher. Or a choir director! [singing as he leaves] “This little camel of mine! I’m gonna let it shine! (etc.)
Narrator: Bye Cam! And thank you for coming boys and girls. [improvise here on what we’ve learned, etc.]