In Weakness and in Strength

2 Corinthians 12:8-10, New International Reader's Version

⁸ Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me. ¹⁰ Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Object:

Band-Aid® with the name Jesus and a heart drawn on each. Or if you can find bandages with heart shapes already printed on them, provide one for each child.

Message:

Do you have a favorite superhero? In comics and cartoons, superheroes are always strong. Many of them have big muscles, and most often, they also have superpowers.

Have you seen some of the athletes who will participate in the Olympics? Many have muscles, especially those who need those muscles to lift heavy weights or throw great distances. Some athletes run so fast that they seem like they do have magical powers. Some can jump so far that they look like they are flying. Some swimmers are under the water for so long that it seems that they are breathing underwater.

Having large muscles and superpowers are not the only ways a person can be strong. In today’s scripture verse from 2 Corinthians, Paul was struggling with a problem. He kept asking Jesus to make the problem go away. But, instead of fixing Paul’s problem, Jesus said, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” Jesus knew that if he made the problem go away, Paul wouldn’t continue to pray for Jesus’ Spirit to give him strength. Paul was able to go through the struggles in his life because Jesus helped him get through the hard times. When times get rough, and you are struggling, Jesus will help you too! Jesus reminds us that his power is stronger than the muscles of an Olympic athlete or the magic of a superhero.!

When we get hurt, sometimes we feel better when we put a Band-Aid® on the spot that is hurting. I have a Band-Aid® for each of you, but it isn’t just a normal Band-Aid. ® No, on this bandage, I have printed the name of Jesus and a heart. This will remind you that when you are hurting or suffering, the love of Jesus will help ease the pain.

(Hand out bandages to each child while you are talking.) Putting a Band-Aid® on the hurt isn’t the only thing we should do. That’s why these Band-Aids® have the name of Jesus on them. When we are suffering or hurting, it is good to pray for Jesus to take our suffering away. And often, that’s what Jesus will do! But even if the hurt and pain are not taken away, we can trust Jesus to help us through those difficult moments. It reminds me of a song, (Begin to sing “Jesus Loves Me.”)

Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong. We (they) are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me. (Get the rest of the congregation to join in.) Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

Prayer:

Jesus, you have the power of God! Thank you for giving us the strength to do your work in this world. Teach us to turn to you through the power of prayer for strength during hard times and in good times too. Amen.

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Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

To assist with conversations within the family during the week, a series of conversation starters has been added to each children’s message series. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce the learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

1. Share a time when you waited too long to do something and then missed an opportunity because you waited. Discuss what Paul’s words mean to you, “I tell you, now is the time God has mercy. Now is the day he saves.”
2. What does the word “eternal” mean to you? How does it feel to knowing that when we are part of God’s family, we will have eternal life?
3. Describe the best gift you have ever received. Then discuss how God’s gift is even better!
4. Throughout this week, count the times that you received something from someone. Then count the times that you gave something to another person. At the end of the week, add up your totals. Were they equal? Did you live your life balanced this week? Discuss with your family ways that you can become better balanced each day of your life.
5. Share one way that you discovered the joy of helping someone else this week.
6. Jesus said, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” Grace is the kindness and forgiveness God offers to each of us. Share a time from this past week that you felt weak or hurt. What did you do at that moment? Did you turn to Jesus? In those moments, did you remember the Band-Aid® with his name and a heart on it?
7. Together as a family, sing the song, “Jesus Love Me.” Play a different version such as Randall Goodgame’s, found on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1x8Bg7kIPA. As you hear new verses, create a new verse to add to this song that is unique to your family. As you create the new verse, talk about what is meaningful in the new words you added to this classic song that reminds us how much Jesus loves us!