And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to
love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
— Micah 6:8
This sermon focuses on a different aspect of Micah 6:8. You may want to use this in Sunday school classes or as part of worship, depending on your church’s needs. The lesson should begin one week prior to the offering celebration.
- A volunteer to help
- Lots of items for the volunteer to carry
After the children have gathered at the front of the church or at one end of the room (away from the door) have someone enter who is carrying too many things. That person should step in, drop a few items, pick them up, drop a few more (make a bit of a scene), then the person asks the children if anyone can come help carry his/her bags to the front. Let some or all (as appropriate) go help the person.
Ask: How did it feel to help ________ (person’s name)?
Say: Great! You already have a head start on today’s lesson.
Ask: Does anyone remember anything about the verse we talked about last week?
Say: Let’s read it again. (Read Micah 6:8.) Last week we talked about acting justly, today we are going to talk about the second item on God’s to do list for us: Love Mercy.
Ask: What do you think of when you hear the word “mercy”?
Say: You already showed us how you love mercy. You saw someone in need – __________ (person’s name) had too much to carry—and helped him/her out. That’s what mercy is—it sounds easy: helping someone in need. But it’s not always so easy.
Ask: Can anyone think about a time when helping someone in need might not be easy?
Say: What if you have something else you’d rather do or what if the person in need is someone you don’t like? Then being merciful and loving it—can be very hard.
God tells us to not only be merciful and help those who need it, but God also tells us to love it. That can be the hard part.
Ask: What are some ways that you can “love mercy” this week?
Say: Don’t forget to collect coins in your sock banks this week. The money you bring in for your offering will bring help to someone in need. This is another way you can love mercy.
Next week I want all of you to bring your sock banks in to church for our special offering time.
Dear God thank you that you help us every day. Please help us to find opportunities to be merciful this week. Give us courage to help people in need. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.