Exegetical Aim: Setting our minds on heavenly things.

Props: Cut out the following shapes from construction paper and write the corresponding word on the cutout: A cross (Jesus), star (Light), heart (Love), dove (Spirit), and crown (God). Each cutout should at least be the size of an 8 1/2” x 14” piece of paper. Before the service, tape the shapes in various places on the ceiling of the church on the walls in high inconspicuous places. The point is to keep the children from seeing the cutouts before the children’s sermon. If they notice them beforehand, you will need to vary the lesson to make it appropriate.

Lesson: Good morning! (response) We are going to do two things. First everyone look down. Look straight down and keep your eyes focused downward. Now, what do you see? Tell me everything that you see. I’ll start. I see my right shoe lace. What else? (response) What else do you see? (response) If the children are not being specific give another example of something specific.
Now I want you to look up. Look above your heads and tell me what you see? (response) What else do you see? (response) When they spot the signs ask them to describe the signs and what is written on them.

Application: What do you see when you look down? (response) And what do you see when you look up? (response) There are two different ways to live in this world. One way is to look down (look down with me) always have your eyes and your mind on your earthly things: your own feet, where you are, what you have, how mad you are about something, or how much someone hurt you. The other way to live in this world is look up (look up with me) to have our eyes and our minds on things above—on heavenly things: On light , love, kindness, gentleness, patience.

Let’s Pray: This time as we pray I want you to keep your eyes open and your heads lifted up. Look around you. Keep your head up as you pray. Lord, set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. I pray that these children look up to you and your heavenly ways, in Jesus’ name. Amen.