God Chooses Us

Do you like sports? (Hold up the ball in your hands). What’s your favorite sport? (Pause.) Are you pretty good? (Pause.) Not everyone is, you know. Today I have a story to tell you about a boy named Thomas who was pretty bad at sports. (Open the book, and pretend you’re telling the story from it.)

Thomas looked up from his book as his teacher announced to his class, "It’s time for recess--we’re going to play softball. Jacob, you and Mary will be the team captains today."

"Oh no!" Thomas thought to himself, "If Jacob and Mary are choosing their teams, I’ll probably be one of the last ones chosen, as usual." As he stood with the other children on the playground, Thomas tried to pretend it didn't bother him when the other children were chosen, one by one, and he was left behind. But the truth was, it really hurt his feelings. "I wish, just once I could be the first one chosen," Thomas whispered to himself. (Close the book and put it down.)

I hope this hasn’t ever happened to you, but the truth is that it’s happened to most of us at one point or another. Surely there must be a better way to choose teams. Does anyone have any ideas about how to make the process better? (Pause.) I have an idea! What if we just have everyone number off 1-2-1-2-1-2? All of the ones could be on one team and all of the twos on the other. (Number the kids off and have them separate into the two groups). This way, no one is the last one chosen.

Our Bible lesson today is about being chosen to be in God’s family. Would you like to be in God's family? (Pause.) The good news is the way Thomas’ classmates chose teammates is not how God chooses His family. God chooses everyone who accepts Jesus as their savior. The Bible tells us that before He even made the world, God loved us and chose us--He already knew who would choose to accept Jesus. Anyone and everyone can be in God's family by placing their faith in Jesus. God welcomes and wants everyone!

When we confess our sin and put our trust in Jesus, we become God's adopted children, and He makes everything work out according to His plan for us. I am so glad that God chose me to be a part of His family. 

How does it make you feel that God wants you to be part of His family?

Dear God, thank You for choosing us and for sending Your Son so that we can choose to be a part of Your family. In Jesus’ name, amen.