John 18:33-37, New International Reader's Version

³³Then Pilate went back inside the palace. He ordered Jesus to be brought to him. Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

³⁴“Is that your own idea?” Jesus asked. “Or did others talk to you about me?”

³⁵“Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?”

³⁶Jesus said, “My kingdom is not from this world. If it were, those who serve me would fight. They would try to keep the Jewish leaders from arresting me. My kingdom is from another place.”

³⁷“So you are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, that’s the reason I was born. I was born and came into the world to be a witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of truth listens to me.”

Object:

Checkerboard
Crown from a king costume (if you are crafty, create your own by bedazzling a Burger King crown)

Message:

Have you ever played checkers? (Allow children to answer.) In a game of checkers, one game piece is more powerful than all the others. Do any of you know the name of that game piece? (Allow children to answer.)

All these checkers seem to look the same. But when I put another checker on top of this one, what happens? (Show them a checker and then place one on top of the other.) That’s right. This game piece is now a “king.” A king game piece in Checkers is in fact two checkers placed on top of the other. This suggests that the king piece is more powerful than any other game piece.

When I say “king,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? (Allow children to answer.) For many of us, when we think of a king, we immediately think of a crown. The king in the game of Checkers wears a crown, right? In the game of Checkers, when a game piece reaches a space on the back row of the board, which could be called the “King Me” row, the player picks up the piece and places another piece on top. This is like putting a crown on the game piece, making it a king. Getting a king in Checkers is the most important move you can make in the game. The king can move in many different directions unlike any other checker on the board. Kings are more powerful than other checkers because they can move diagonally, forward, and backward. Kings may combine jumps in several directions–forward and backward–on the same turn.

In the game of Checkers, the crown is a symbol of power and authority. That is true in our world as well. When we see a crown, we think of royalty and power. I wonder if you know anyone who wears a crown? (Pause for responses.) Being a king or queen is different from being the president of a country. A president is elected by the people, but a king isn’t elected; he is born to be king. Being king is an enormously powerful position.

In Checkers, the king game piece can remove the other player’s pieces by jumping over multiple pieces at once. Have you ever seen a king game piece jump over three or four game pieces in one move? What is the highest number of game pieces that you have seen a king jump in one move? (Allow children to answer.) We get so excited when that happens. We want a king game piece so badly because of the power to remove the opponent’s pieces so quickly. That is how you win a game of Checkers – jump over all the opponent’s checkers and remove them from the board.

This really isn’t a good image of a king. The real role of a king is to look after the needs of his people, not remove the people. A good king is more concerned with caring for his people than he is with caring for himself. A good king would rather serve others than be served. A good king will put others’ needs before his own.

During his last days on earth, Jesus was arrested and put on trial. When asked if he was a king, Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. In fact, that’s the reason I was born. I was born and came into the world to be a witness to the truth.” (Pass around the crown.)

Yes, Jesus was a king, but unlike in the game of Checkers, Jesus was interested in pleasing God. Jesus came here to serve, not to be served. Jesus put others’ needs before his own. Jesus was born to be king, but his kingdom is not on this earth. Do any of you know where Jesus’ kingdom is? That’s right, it’s in heaven. Jesus came to earth to teach us how to live life on earth in a way that we then can live with him in heaven. Would you say Jesus was a good king? I would too!

Prayer:

Eternal God, my faith gives me hope for living each day following the true king. Don’t let me forget that in Jesus Christ, you have promised me a never-ending life with you in heaven. Thank you for that wonderful promise that Jesus came to earth to teach us. Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. 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 learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

The widow’s act of giving showed true faith. As a family, discuss if you are willing to trust God to provide for your every need, even when it feels risky to give.
Are you giving to please others or seek recognition, or is your giving motivated by love, gratitude to God, and the care for others? Discuss the differences with your family.
The widow gave freely, despite her poverty. As a family, discuss how your family can develop a heart of generosity that makes faith, trust, and selfless giving top priorities. Come up with a plan to live this approach in your community.
Play a game of “The Truth Is,” where each person in the family selects and reads a scripture passage that discusses truth. Discuss what the passage is saying to you. Begin by saying, “The truth in this verse is…” Here are some verses to get you started: Colossians 2:16-18; Mark 14:60-64; Exodus 20:16; Ezekiel 13:8-10; Amos1:9-10. Can you find others?
Play a game of Checkers, but add this element to the game: Every time a game piece becomes “crowned” or “kinged,” stop and say a prayer for someone in your life who needs to experience the love of Jesus in a deeper way or someone in your community to whom you can offer compassion. During the time spent playing Checkers, discuss as a family ways to meet others’ needs. How can you place their needs before your own?
As a family, watch/listen to the Go Fish song, "Sweet Song of Salvation." Dance along with the kids in the video if you want. Sing along with the “Na-na-na-na’s.” Did you hear the verse about truth in the song? How can you share the story of Jesus with others this week? Each night at the dinner table this week, share one example of how you shared God’s love with another person.