Sermons 4 Kids
Sermon of the Week
Proper 11 (16)
July 17, 2011
July 11, 2011

Title: Hide and Seek

Theme:  Wherever we go, God is there.  Proper 11 (16) Year A

Object:  A tin can

Scripture:  I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night- but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. Psalm 139:11-12 (NLT)

Whenever I see a tin can like this one, it brings back memories of my childhood days when we played a game called "Kick the Can." Actually, it was just a way to add some excitement to the old game of "Hide and Seek."  This is how the game is played: The person who is "it" stands beside the tin can, closes his eyes, and counts to fifty while everyone else hides. Then, the person who is "it" goes searching and tries to find everybody. Whenever a person is found, he races back to the home base and tries to kick the can before the one who is "it" tags them.  Doesn't that sound like fun?  Even if you have never played "Kick the Can," I am sure you have played "Hide and Seek."

Do you think anyone ever tries to play "Hide and Seek" with God?  Do you remember the story of Adam and Eve?  After they had eaten the fruit that God had told them not to eat, they heard God walking in the garden.  They were ashamed of what they had done and didn't want God to find them.  What did they do?  They ran and hid among the trees.  Did God find them?  Sure he did.  You can't hide from God.

Do you remember the story of Jonah?  God told him to go to Nineveh and tell the people there to repent of their sin.  What did Jonah do?  He ran from God and tried to hide.  Did God find him?  He sure did!  And you will remember that Jonah found himself... in the belly of a great fish!

The Bible tells us that God chose David to be the king of Israel because he was "a man after God's own heart." (Acts 13:22) But even David did things that did not please God. There were probably times when David wished he could hide from God, but he knew it was impossible.  Listen to the words of David. (Psalm 139:1-12 - NLT)

   O Lord, you have examined my heart
      and know everything about me.
   You know when I sit down or stand up.
      You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.
   You see me when I travel
      and when I rest at home.
      You know everything I do.
   You know what I am going to say
      even before I say it, Lord.
   You go before me and follow me.
      You place your hand of blessing on my head.
   Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
      too great for me to understand!

   I can never escape from your Spirit!
      I can never get away from your presence!
   If I go up to heaven, you are there;
      if I go down to the grave, you are there.
   If I ride the wings of the morning,
      if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
   even there your hand will guide me,
      and your strength will support me.
   I could ask the darkness to hide me
      and the light around me to become night-
      but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
   To you the night shines as bright as day.
      Darkness and light are the same to you.

We can't hide from God.  He knows all about us.  He knows what we are going to say before we say it and what we are going to do before we do it. It is foolish to play "Hide and Seek" with God. Besides, the reason God comes seeking is because he loves us and wants to bless us. Why would we want to hide from his blessing?

Father, we are thankful that even though you know everything about us, you love us anyway. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Coloring Pages and Activities
    

GROUP ACTIVITIES PAGE   

 

COLORING PAGE:    "Worship God and Put Him First" 

 

CROSSWORD PUZZLE  (PDF) (HTML)    

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUIZ  (PDF) (HTML)  

 

WORD SEARCH PUZZLE  (PDF)  (HTML)    

 

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION BY KIDS FORCE 

 

WORSHIP BULLETIN  (WORD DOCUMENT)  Save this document to your computer and personalize it with your church's name.  Print side one then reinsert it into the printer and print side two.   

 

Sermon Links


A PRINT FRIENDLY VERSION OF THIS SERMON:   "Hide and Seek" 

 

A SERMON BASED ON THIS WEEK'S GOSPEL READING: "Weeds in the Garden"     

   

AN ALTERNATE OT LESSON (GENESIS 25:19-34):  "Stairway to Heaven"   

    

Support for Sermons 4 Kids

Sermons4Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported entirely by the voluntary donations of those who use our services and feel that our ministry is worthy of their support. If you find Sermons4Kids helpful, consider making a donation to support this ministry.

To make an online donation using PayPal, click here.

If you wish to send a donation by mail, send your check or money
order to:

Sermons4Kids, Inc.
3273 Falcon Drive
Abilene, TX 79606-3312

Tools to Help Your Children's Ministry

  

CURRICULUM: A complete curriculum for a year. There is a lesson for each Sunday of the year which includes group activities, song suggestions, a coloring page, and several puzzles. All is on one CD in PDF format! We created this especially for those who may not have Internet access and because many of you asked for it for advanced planning.  We hope you will not regard this as a replacement for your Sermon of the Week emails. Sermons4Kids is a work in progress and you will always see our latest efforts in the weekly emails!

  

· YEAR A CURRICULUM CD  

· YEAR B CURRICULUM CD

· YEAR C CURRICULUM CD

  

· SERMONS IN PRINT: Three years of sermons are available on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.  These are sermons only -- there are no coloring pages or other activities. Since these sermons are available on the CD below, there is no need to order both items.  You may print the sermons as needed from the CD.

· KID CONNECTION CD ROM:
 This CD contains three years of sermons, a large collection of coloring pages, more than 300 Bible puzzles, and thirteen PowerPoint presentations featuring the art of Henry Martin plus the eight new presentations by Stacy Hagler. A great resource for enriching your lessons.   

  

There is never a charge for any products or services, but donations are gratefully accepted. Sermons4Kids is supported entirely by your voluntary donations.

Click here to complete an order form.  If you have the latest version of Adobe Reader, you can type directly on the form and then print it out for mailing.

 

Copyright © Sermons4Kids, Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Find us on Facebook
Join Our Mailing List