A formal introduction 

*Author’s note, the pastor asked me if I was interested in doing children’s church. And I said yes. It’s four to five minutes with the children of the church before the adult service starts. Pray for me. I want to do the best job I can. 🙏🏻 This is written the way I’m hoping to present. 🤞🏻

Good morning, we have not been formally introduced. 

Introduce yourself

Ask the children to introduce themselves. 

Please be patient with me as I learn your names.

Last week my best friend and I were introduced to the congregation as new members of the church. 

Introductions are very important. When we are born, we are introduced to the world. We are introduced to our families for the first time. As we grow, we are introduced to teachers at school. New friends we meet along the way. We are introduced to co-workers when we get a job. A spouse someday. Some people have even been introduced to celebrities. 

How many of you have heard the name John the Baptist? 

Pause to see if anyone answers. 

John the Baptist got the  name “Baptist” because he baptized people with water. 

In Matthew chapter 3 verses 11, John is quoted as saying, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” ESV

You don’t have to answer out loud. Think about this: is there anyone in your life you feel unworthy to carry their shoes? 

Shoes are nasty. Your feet sweat in them all day. If you don’t wear socks, your shoes are full of dead skin cells. You step in all kinds of nasty things like dog poo and spit.

In John the Baptists day, most everyone walked every where they went. Only the wealthy could afford animals to ride. Your  sandals would be covered with dirt and sweat. 

Who is this person John the Baptist is talking about, he says he’s unworthy to carry his sandals?

In John chapter 1 verse 29, John sees this person walking toward him, he declares “Behold, the Lamb of God,”

These are powerful introductions from John. 

Any idea who he was talking about? 

The one that was coming after him. The one that was greater than him. Whose sandals he was unworthy to carry was Jesus. John gives him two very powerful introductions as  Jesus begins his ministry. 

Let’s pray; Dear Lord, as we go out into the world, let our lives be an introduction for Jesus. Amen