Christ the King

Children's Sermon: Christ the King (Luke 23:33-43)

Get Ready: Draw a large crown on the chalkboard or whiteboard. Write “I chose Jesus to be my King,” inside the crown. Ensure this is at a height kids can reach. Draw a large cross on the butcher paper and hang it on the wall opposite the crown. Because children will be walking backwards from the cross to the crown, estimate the size of steps or hops kids will need to take to get there in about 10 steps or hops.

Do This:

Gather kids near the cross you drew.) Today I’m going to tell you about a king that some thought of as a Backward King, and I need your help. When I stop and point at you, you’ll step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!” (Demonstrate.) Ready?

A long time ago, there lived a King. He was no ordinary king. He was a Backward King. He was different from other kings because He did everything backward from the way other kings did them. (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

From the very day He was born, you could tell that this King was different. Most kings are usually born in a palace, but this King was born in a stable surrounded by donkeys, sheep, and cows. (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

It wasn't a very fancy beginning for a king. In fact, very few people even knew a king had been born. Only a handful of shepherds and three wise men got the word that the King had been born. (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

As the baby King grew into a man, He continued to be different from other kings. While most kings spent all of their time building up riches of gold and jewels, this King owned nothing at all. (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

And while most kings surrounded themselves with servants, He chose to be a servant. He could often be found helping others. (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

As time went on, people became very unhappy with their King because He just didn't act the way they thought a king should act. Instead of riding into town on a big white horse the way other kings usually did, their king rode into town on the back of a donkey. Was that any way for a king to act? (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

And the people He chose to be his friends! His closest friends were a bunch of smelly fishermen and He could often be seen visiting with the poor and eating with sinners. (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!)

Finally the people decided that they had put up with this King long enough. If He couldn't act the way they thought a king should act, then they didn't want Him to be their king any more. They made a plan to have Him arrested and thrown into prison. (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

Their plan worked. When the day came for His trial, the King stood before the people. Instead of shouting, "Hail to the King, Long live the King!" they shouted, "He is not our king! Crucify Him!" (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

So the soldiers did. (Point to the cross that kids started near and are moving away from.) They nailed Him to a cross; they put a crown made of thorns on His head; they poked Him with sharp sticks and made fun of Him. It was a terrible way for the King to die! After He was crucified, they put His body in a borrowed tomb. (Stop and have kids take a step or hop backward and say, “That’s backward!”)

But that isn't the end of the story. Remember...this Backward King was different! This King rose from the grave to live forever. (Have kids turn and face the crown.)

Now, instead of being the Backward King, He is the Forever King. He is the King to anyone who chooses Him to be their King. We call Him King Jesus! (Read aloud the words on the crown.)

Jesus wants to be your King, too, and if you choose Him to be your King, you will live with Him in heaven! (Invite preschoolers to write their names inside the crown.)

Jesus, today we crown You King and Lord of our life. In Your name, amen.