Children's Conversations at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley Last week talked about what to do when someone hurts us, but it gets harder today. When someone hurts us, we may want to hurt them back. But in today's Gospel, Jesus says that doesn't work, and we should forgive them every time. "Forgive" means giving your heart and love before the other person deserves it. That is the only way we can help people and change things. God forgives us, and we forgive others by giving God's love away.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley When someone hurts us, we often want to get back at them, but that may not be the best thing to do. In today's Gospel, Jesus says we should first talk to the person and then take others with us so we can figure out the problem and resolve it. Instead of getting back, we are supposed to love the other person so there is a chance of becoming friends. This gives a chance for God's love to work in the other person and in us.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley You know that you should be kind to people, but not everyone is that way. When I was young, I knew a boy who was a bully, and he never changed, even if he was sent to the principal's office. In today's Gospel, Peter had the wrong idea of what it meant for Jesus to be the Messiah. But Jesus died to show us how to live, and that's how we know how treat people and that we should love our enemies.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley In today's Gospel story, we have something unexpected. Jesus repents and changes. A non-Jewish woman comes to ask for healing, and Jesus refuses, saying he was sent only to the Jews and that you don't give the children's food to dogs. But she replies that the dogs can eat the crumbs. Jesus is amazed at her faith and heals her daughter. In this story, Jesus changes his behavior and shows God's love for everyone. Even if we are not perfect, God loves us. That's what is so great about God.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley In today's Gospel story, Jesus sends the disciples on a boat and there is a great storm. Then Jesus comes walking on the water. First they are afraid, and then Peter tries to walk on the water but gets scared and begins to sink. But Peter calls to Jesus to save him, and, of course, Jesus does save him. Whenever there is danger in our lives, we can call to Jesus, and he is there for us.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley You know today's story about Jesus feeding more than 5,000 people. His cousin John the Baptist had been killed, and Jesus was sad, but there were many people wanting to listen to him. The Gospel says Jesus had compassion for the people. That means he felt with them. So even though he was sad, he healed the people and taught them; and even though the disciples wanted to send the people away, Jesus fed them with just five loaves and two fish. Soon we will serve all the people here with just a little bread and wine. Your tummies may not be full, but we will all be full of God's love. It's not how much we have but what God does with what we have.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley This Sunday Jesus is telling parables about the kingdom of God. When we say kingdom, we think about kings and castles and big stuff. But these parables are about little things like a mustard seed--a little seed that grows into a big bush. The kingdom of heaven starts out as something small, but it grows until it is huge. It's like God's love in you that grows to have a great big effect on the world.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley Again this week, Jesus is talking about plants. Now you all know there are two kinds of plants: good plants and weeds. But it can be hard to tell the difference, and when we try to pull out the weeds, we can pull up the good plants instead. It's the same with people. All people belong to God, and God loves everyone. Since we can't tell the difference, we should love and respect everyone.

A children's conversation by Pastor Jeff Lilley We have a green plant with us today. You know that plants like this come from seeds and need dirt, water, and nutrients to grow. In today's Gospel, Jesus talks about seeds growing and the soil they need. In the same way, babies need support to grow in the Word. You, as older children, can be good soil for the seeds of the Word to grow in others.

A children's conversation by Pastor Steve Jensen In today's Gospel, Jesus talks about a yoke. That's not the center of an egg; it's a way for two oxen or water buffaloes to work together and help each other out pulling a heavy cart. We can't carry the burdens of our lives alone, but yoked with Jesus, we can make it through. This is another way Jesus loves us and is always with us.