Communion Meditation for Young People

John 3:16
Not Goodness, But Grace

Will all those who believe they will be going to heaven stand up?

<I'd be surprised if peer pressure didn't have most all the children stand up.>

Will those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and have been baptized sit down.

Now, for you children who remain standing, how is it you believe you will go to heaven?
<pause, but you don't really want answers, just letting it sink in>

Is it because you are good and you think good people will be going to heaven?
<pause, but you don't really want answers, just letting it sink in>

Do you know of any bad people who won't be going to heaven?
<pause, but you don't really want answers, just letting it sink in>

For those standing up, if you have ever been disobedient or lied, please sit down.

<You got a problem if anyone remains standing>
You see, if you have ever been disobedient or lied, you have sinned. You have been bad, and bad people do not go to heaven.

Romans 6:23Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is sort of scary and even desperate, isn't it?

Since none us can be good all the time, then what hope is there? Who can be the first to find John 3:16 for me?
<some will attempt to look it up, but many will know by heart>

John 3:16John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

What do we call this gift? Does anybody know?
<While they are guessing, move on to set up a example. Call one of the children to sit on a stool at the front of the class and give this child some candy.>

Grace is giving something even though they do not deserve it. Did he/she deserve to be singled out and brought before the class and given some sweets while you do not have any? What could he/she have done to deserve such special treatment except that I love he/she, in the same way I love all of you? This gift, given freely, even though you don't deserve it, is called "grace".

<have the person sit down>

God said "whoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall not perish, but have eternal life". Maybe this works like this....

Scene 1

You have died and you go to the pearly gates and knock on the door.

Scene 1<St. Peter pokes his head over the top of the door (shades of Wizard of Oz) and asks in an Irish/King James accent> "What does ye want?"

"I would like to be admitted to heaven, sir."

"You do, do ye? Well, now, have you been good?".

"I been good, sir".

"Ye are dishonest and a liar and ye shalt not pass these gates. Good day to ye sirrah!"

<St. Peter disappears and you leave, broken hearted>

Scene 2

You have died and you go to the pearly gates and knock on the door.

Scene 2<St. Peter pokes his head over the top of the door (shades of Wizard of Oz) and asks in an Irish/King James accent> "What does ye want?"

"I would like to be admitted to heaven, sir."

"You do, do ye? Well, now, have you been good?".

"No sir, but Jesus Christ has invited me."

"Ye don't say! Well, jist a minute while I check."
<St. Peter disappears and then, returns shortly with great enthusiasm, opening the door>

"Come in good sir! Yes, Jesus Christ says he has been expecting you to come to him for a very long time. Please, come in, Come in!"




You see, bad people don't go to heaven. Forgiven people go to heaven. We are forgiven when we put all our faith in Jesus Christ, who loves us and accepts us just as we are.




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