Title: You Are Precious in His Sight
Theme: God cares for you. Proper 7 (12) Year A
Object: A pair of binoculars and a book about birds which you can find at the library.
Scripture: What is the price of two sparrows-one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29, 31 (NLT)
What are some hobbies that people enjoy? Reading, stamp collecting, and photography are popular hobbies. Some people like to build things like model cars or airplanes. Others may enjoy outdoor activities like fishing or hiking. Do you have a hobby? What is your hobby? (Allow time for children to respond.)
Do you think God has a hobby? OK, I know the Bible doesn’t tell us that God has a hobby, but if He did, do you know what I think it might be? Bird watching! If I use my imagination, I can see God sitting in heaven with a pair of binoculars. Perhaps he has a book like this one that I found in the library and he is looking at pictures of all the beautiful birds which he has created and he is trying to see how many of them he can find with his binoculars. If I really stretch my imagination, I can even hear him saying, “There’s a Bluebird, and a Cardinal. Oh look, there’s an Eagle, a Meadowlark, and a Sparrow.” A Sparrow? Of course he would see a Sparrow, there are millions of them. You’ve seen them — common, ordinary, brown Sparrows — but God must have loved them, because he made so many of them.
One day Jesus was teaching his disciples that they should not be afraid. “Don’t be afraid when people threaten you” Jesus said. “Two sparrows are sold for a penny, but not a single sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing it. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
It has been said, “God must have loved the common people, because he made so many of them.” I don’t think that God sees us as common or ordinary. If he did, he would not love us in such an uncommon and extraordinary way! The Bible says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT) We are more precious to him than a whole flock of sparrows — and we know how much he loves the sparrow.
Father, we know that we are precious in your sight. Thank you for loving us with such an uncommon and extraordinary love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. |