Hippo-Crites (A Children's Sermon)

Hippo-Crites

A Children's Sermon on Matthew 7:1-6

I have a question for all of you. What is this?

[show a photo of a hippopotamus. wait for answers.]

You're right! It's a hippo! What's a hippo? [wait for answers.]

Now what is THIS? 

[show the word "hypocrite." wait for answers.]

It SOUNDS like hippo, right? But hypocrites don't have anything to do with those roly-poly animals from Africa. Does anyone know what a hypocrite is? [wait for answers.]

A hypocrite is someone who says one thing but does another. For example, if I told you to be kind to your brothers and sisters, but then my sister visited and you heard me yelling at her. I told YOU to be kind, but I wasn't kind myself! 

Let's think of other examples. I'd be a hypocrite if I told YOU to eat your vegetables, but I didn't... [wait for answers]. Right!

I'd be a hypocrite if I told YOU that it's important to listen to your Mom and Dad, but I never... [wait for answers].

I'd be a hypocrite if I told YOU it's important to give money to God, but I never... [wait for answers].

Get the idea? A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another. Are hypocrites fun to be around? No sir!

What do you think Jesus has to say about hypocrites? [wait for answers.] Today we are going to read from the book of Matthew, where Jesus reminds us that we are supposed to behave ourselves rather than make everyone else behave. 

So I have a job for all of you. [hand out hippo stickers] I have a hippo sticker for each one of you! And when we read the second Scripture today, I want you all to hold up your hippo sticker when you hear the word hypocrite, okay? Sound good? And remember: is it good to be a hypocrite? No, sir!

Let's pray. Dear God, thank you that you know what is in our hearts. Help us to always match our actions to our words. Help us to seek to love you with our whole hearts! And all God's children said, amen!