C H I L D R E N ’ S M I N I S T R I E S D E PA R T M E N T

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600

301-680-6425 • www.childmin.com/ChildrensSabbath PROGRAM GUIDE

Printed in USA
 PROGRAM GUIDE

IN THIS BROCHURE
WHAT I S CHILDREN’S SABBATH? 2

THE THEME: MEET MY JESUS 3

USING THIS BROCHURE 4

PLANNING AND PROMOTION 5

ORDER OF SERVICE
We Praise Jesus in Worship 8
We Pray in the Name of Jesus 9
We Share Gifts of Love With Jesus 9
Jesus Speaks to Us Through His Word 11
Sermon: Meet My Jesus 11

THEME SONG 10

ADDITIONAL IDEAS 19

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THE THEME:
MEET MY JESUS
T his year’s Children’s Sabbath is a day for children to
introduce adults to Jesus as they see Him. Jesus Himself
said,“Unless you change and become like little children, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3,
NIV).The innocent, trusting perspective of children will be
used to remind the entire congregation that:
• Jesus knows and loves each one of us.
• Jesus died for us.
• Jesus comes looking for us.
• When we choose Him, He changes us.
USING THIS
B RO C H U R E
Normally the Children’s Coordinator organizes Children’s
Sabbath. If your church has not appointed a Children’s
Coordinator, ask the pastor to appoint someone to act as
coordinator for this particular day.The information in this
brochure is meant to guide and assist the coordinator.
T H E BU T TO N
4 5
PLANNING
A N D P RO M OT I O N
P lan this service as an opportunity to reach out to the
community as well as a way to showcase children and
their ministry.
To get the ball rolling for your Children’s Sabbath
program, work with your pastor to develop a vision for
Children’s Sabbath and assemble a team to follow through
on the organization and planning.
To get the children involved in the preparation and
outreach, share with them the theme; talk about its
meaning. Order buttons for them to wear at the service
and prior to it.The buttons state the Children’s Sabbath
theme: “Meet My Jesus.” Encourage children to pray
every day that Jesus will help them introduce others,
both adults and children, to Him.
RIGHT AWAY
1. Order materials while supplies of free items last
(see Materials List on p. 7). Order extra buttons
so all participants in your program can wear them.
2. Establish a Children’s Sabbath prayer support group.
Form a planning team, involving the Pathfinder and
Adventurer club directors as well as children’s
Sabbath School division and VBS leaders.
3. At the first meeting of the planning team, cast a
vision for your Children’s Sabbath service; pray
together that God will bring the vision to life.
4. Together distribute responsibility for the various parts
of the service to adults or older teens who will coach
the participants for that segment of the service.
5. Choose children to fill the roles, such as giving the
prayer, Scripture, or special music.
6. Brainstorm additional creative touches for your
program.
7. If your church has children who are preparing for
baptism, work with their families and the pastor to
plan a baptism as part of the Children’s Sabbath
service.
SIX WEEKS AHEAD
8. Ask the church communications leader to advertise
your program in the church bulletin, in local newspa-
pers, and on local radio stations (sample inserts and
announcements online at
www.childmin.com/ChildrensSabbath).
9. Send “Meet My Jesus” postcards as invitations
to inactive or former members. Pass out postcards
in church, encouraging members to invite their
neighbors, friends, and relatives.
10. Ask the church’s hospitality team to plan a potluck
or special meal for guests after the Children’s
Sabbath service.
11. Plan for someone to take pictures at your Children’s
Sabbath program. Send pictures and a write-up to
local media, your conference, and the North American
Division (see our address on p. 2).
THREE WEEKS AHEAD
12. Hang “M Meet My Jesus” posters around your church
and school. (Order from AdventSource or download
at www.childmin.com/ChildrensSabbath).
13. Enlist several children to help with a creative
announcement in church.
14. Start practicing the entire program in the church.
(Avoid keeping kids out on Friday night.)
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M AT E R I A L S L I S T
The following materials are available from
AdventSource (1-800-328-0525) or online at
www.adventsource.org
l Meet My Jesus Starter Kit—(#021310)
Includes program guide, two posters, sample
postcards and buttons. Kits are free, one per
church. (Shipping and handling charges apply)
l Meet My Jesus Buttons—(#021306) Brightly-
colored metal buttons spotlight the Meet My Jesus
theme. Giving buttons is a great way to increase
visibility for children’s ministries and adult support
for children. $4 for pkg. of 10.
l Meet My Jesus Posters—(#021307)
Use this colorful 11x17 poster to advertise your
program at church or school. $0.50 each.
l Meet My Jesus Postcards—(#021308) Use
them for publicity mailings or invitations. Meet My
Jesus logo on the front, space for your program
information on the back. $2 for pkg. of 100.
l Meet My Jesus Program Guide (#021309)
From theme song to sermon notes, this handy
brochure provides everything you need to prepare
an exciting church service. Extra copies, $1 each.
O R D E R O F S E RV I C E PRAYER (by either the boy or girl)
Our great God above, be with us as we worship You this
THEME: MEET MY JESUS
morning.Thank you for the gift of Jesus, our Savior.We
A dapt this service to fit your church’s worship style
and the children’s abilities. humbly come to you in His name. Amen.

WE PRAISE JESUS IN WORSHIP WELCOME (by the other child, after a pause)
Involve a children’s praise team in leading songs; choose Thank you for joining us on this special Children’s
songs such as: Sabbath. Jesus said that anyone who wants to enter the
kingdom of heaven must come as a little child.Today we,
“Jesus Loves Me” the children of [name of your church], share Jesus as we
(Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal 190) know and love Him.We pray that you, our church family,
“Let’s Talk About Jesus” will come to love Him as well.
(He Is Our Song 46)
“The Sweetest Name of All” OPENING HYMN: “Meet the Lord” (theme song—
(He Is Our Song 53) music provided)
“Wonderful,Wonderful”
(Sing for Joy 39) WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF JESUS
“Jesus Is the Answer” Ahead, choose four older children to offer short prayers.
(Praise Time 91) Each prayer should focus on Jesus and center on one of
“Meet the Lord” these concepts: praise (Revelation 5:12), confession (1 John
(theme song—music provided; teach it now and 1:7-9), requests (John 14:13, 14), thanks (Ephesians 5:20).
sing it for the opening song)
WE SHARE GIFTS OF LOVE WITH JESUS
INTROIT (children’s choir or congregation):
“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” (Sing for Joy 90) OFFERING APPEAL (by a child)
When Jesus was on earth, He was always giving to others.
CALL TO WORSHIP (given by a boy and girl) Today as we collect God’s tithes and offerings, we all have
a chance to give something back to Him to show our
thanks. Our money will go for [purpose of offering].
BOY: Lord of heaven’s armies, how lovely is your
Temple! (Have the offering collected by children, such as
GIRL: I want to be in the courtyards of the Lord’s Pathfinders or Adventurers in uniform.)
Temple.
SPECIAL MUSIC
BOY: My whole being wants to be with the living
(presented by a child or children’s choir)
God.
GIRL: Happy are the people who live at your Temple.
They are always praising you.
BOTH: Lord of heaven’s armies, happy are the people
who trust you!*
(Selected verses from Psalm 84, ICE)

*Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible, New Century

Version, copyright © 1986 by Sweet Publishing, Fort Worth,Texas 76137.
Used by permission.

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THEME SONG
Meet the Lord

10 11
JESUS SPEAKS TO US THROUGH
HIS WORD
The responsive Scripture reading is led by a group
of two or more children. Include this reading in your
church bulletin or project the words on screen so
the congregation can participate.
Costumes can be simple: oversized T-shirts tied with
scarves for women and with old neckties for men. Jesus
wears over a T-shirt a long red scarf that goes under one
arm and over the other shoulder. If long enough, it can be
tied loosely at the back. Otherwise, pin it at underarm
and shoulder.

THE LIFE-LIGHT Depending on the size and abilities of your group, instead
of acting out some scenes, the story contained in the scene
CHILDREN: The Word was first,
could be told by a child from the perspective of the main
CONGREGATION: The Word present to God, character, ending with the “Meet My Jesus” statement and
God present to the Word. the appropriate verse of the theme song.

CHILDREN: The Word was God,
CONGREGATION: In readiness for God from
day one.
CHILDREN: Everything was created
through him;
CONGREGATION: Nothing—not one thing!—
came into being without him.
CHILD 1: What came into existence
was Life, and the Life was
Light to live by.
CHILD 2: The Life-Light blazed out of
the darkness; the darkness
couldn’t put it out.
PROPS: A stepladder for a tree, partly hidden by organ
or piano.A branch covered in leaves leans against the ladder.
SCENE ONE:WOMAN AND CHILD
A woman wearing a sunhat is planting flowers at stage side
(opposite side from where the ladder is set up, but forward on
the stage). A child enters and watches her for a while; they talk.
CHILD: Guess what! I learned a
Bible verse today. (Child
recites John 3:16.) Isn’t it
great that God loves us?
WOMAN: I don’t see how God could
love me after everything I’ve
done in my life. He wouldn’t
even want me around!

SERMON: MEET MY JESUS CHILD: (Takes her by the hand.) Oh,

The sermon is composed of a series of dramatized scenes you must not know Him the
from the Bible.The children act these out with some talking, way I do. Come meet my
shown in script form. Basically these can be improvisations Jesus!
on the part of the actors, but we give some suggestions.
Immediately Scene Two begins.The woman and child sit
and watch throughout the following scenes.

SCENE TWO: ZACCHAEUS (LUKE 19:1-10)

CHARACTERS: Zacchaeus (a small child); crowd (taller

and older children and teachers, lots of them seated on the
front rows of the church); Jesus (a child of any age, gender,
or height who takes the part seriously).

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Setting: Up front, on the steps to the platform if these are SCENE THREE: SAUL ON THE ROAD TO
at the center of the church. DAMASCUS (ACTS 9:1-19)

Jesus enters from side of stage opposite the tree (ladder). Saul (child) enters with two or three other children
He has some small children with Him; He bends to whisper (attendants) from stage side or back of church. Dialogue
to them. At the same time, the crowd enters from the front begins when they reach center stage.
rows; they run to the steps, pushing and waving.
OFFSTAGE VOICE: Saul! Saul!
CROWD VOICE 1: Jesus is coming!
CROWD VOICE 2: So is Passover—eventually! SAUL: (Stops and looks around.)
CROWD VOICE 1: No, really! See Him? What? Who’s calling me?
CROWD VOICES: Look, there He is! He’s
coming this way! OFFSTAGE VOICE: Saul, why are you trying to
hurt Me?
The crowd rush toward Jesus, staying just ahead of Him as
He moves to center stage. Zacchaeus enters from center SAUL: (Falls to his knees, shielding his
audience; he runs forward, shouting, “Jesus!” Nobody takes any eyes.) Hurt you? Who are
notice. He jumps up and down trying to see, but the crowd you?
blocks his view. He runs around and looks for something to
climb on. He eventually sees the ladder and tests the trunk OFFSTAGE VOICE: I am Jesus. I’m the One you
for size. He climbs the ladder, holding the branch just below are trying to hurt.
his face. Jesus makes His way to the ladder and looks up.
SAUL: (Gasps.) Jesus! Why are you
JESUS: Hello, Zach! What are you talking to me?
doing up there?
OFFSTAGE VOICE: I want you to work for Me.
They talk back and forth a little. Jesus beckons for him to Go into the city, and I will
come down. Jesus and Zacchaeus make their way to center tell you what to do.
stage.The crowd surrounds them.
SAUL: (Stands and speaks to audi-
ZACCHAEUS: (To audience.) MEET MY ence.) MEET MY JESUS.
JESUS. He came looking for He knows who I am. He
me when I was up in a tree. knows my name!
If you need to find Him,
guess what! He’s looking for THEME SONG: Saul and attendants sing VERSE 2
you. of “Meet the Lord.” Saul sings the LAST LINE of verse 2.

THEME SONG: Crowd sings VERSE 1 of “Meet the Actors exit.

Lord.” Zacchaeus (or a soloist) sings the LAST LINE of verse 1.
CHILD: My Jesus knows your name,
Actors exit. too.

WOMAN: Would Jesus come looking WOMAN: But I still don’t understand
for ME? why He would care about
me. I’ve done nothing for
CHILD: Meet my Jesus, and you’ll Him.
see!

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CHILD: He loves you because you’re
His child. His favorite child.
Come, meet my Jesus.
SCENE FOUR: PARABLE OF THE LABORERS
(MATTHEW 20:1-16)
Setting: road construction crew. Several workers, wearing hard
hats, are pretending to work.The boss (older child) comes up.
BOSS: OK, everyone. It’s time to
quit for the day. (Workers
cheer.) Thanks so much for
your good work. Now I’m
going to pay you. (Workers
cheer again. Boss goes to first
worker.) You started first
thing this morning.You’ve
worked hard all day. I’m
going to pay you $100!
Worker, surprised and happy, steps aside. Boss goes to each
employee in turn, mentions a later start time, thanks them for
their hard work, and pays them $100. Each worker is more
excited than the last, while the previously paid workers become
more and more unhappy.The last worker has worked only one
hour, but still receives $100.The others burst out angrily.
WORKERS: That’s not fair! He worked
only one hour, and you paid
him as much as me!
BOSS: (To first worker.) A hundred
dollars is pretty good pay
for one day, don’t you agree?
FIRST WORKER: Yes.
BOSS: Then you should be happy
with your pay.Why should
you complain because I am
generous or seem to play
favorites? (Boss puts an arm
around first and last workers.)
LAST WORKER: (To audience.) MEET MY
JESUS. I didn’t do anything
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to deserve special treat-
ment, yet I’m His favorite!
We’re all His favorites.
THEME SONG: Workers and boss sing VERSE 3 of
“Meet the Lord.” Last worker sings the LAST LINE of verse 3.
Vignette actors freeze.
CHILD: See? My Jesus is looking for
you. He knows your name.
You’re His favorite child!
WOMAN: I think I’m beginning to see.
CHILD: Jesus wants to be our best
friend.
WOMAN: How can I choose Him as
my friend?
CHILD: It’s easy.We’ll just pray and
tell Him. [Child leads her in
prayer—woman repeats after
child.] Jesus, thank You that
You are looking for me and
that You know my name. I
know I’m Your favorite child.
I choose You to be my
friend.
THEME SONG: All actors onstage sing VERSE 4; woman
sings LAST LINE.When she does, all the kids clap and jump
up and down.Vignette actors exit.
SCENE 5:THE DEMONIAC (LUKE 8:26-39)
Jesus and disciples (several children) enter from one side of
stage. Demoniac rushes at them from the other side. Disciples
cower or run in fear. Demoniac kneels in front of Jesus, still
shaking his fist and shouting angrily.
JESUS: I command the evil spirits
to come out of this man!
The demoniac becomes calm and begins thanking Jesus
for saving him. One of the disciples puts a coat around the
demoniac’s shoulders.Vignette actors freeze with Jesus’
hand on demoniac’s shoulder.
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WOMAN: That’s incredible! He’s totally
changed!
CHILD: Meet my Jesus—He changes
people!
THEME SONG: Jesus, disciples, and demoniac sing
VERSE 5; demoniac sings LAST LINE.
DEMONIAC: Jesus, I want to go with You.
I will follow you anywhere.
JESUS: I have something more
important for you to do.
Go back home and tell
everyone how much
God has done for you.
DEMONIAC: (To audience.) MEET MY
JESUS. He changes me!
Vignette actors freeze.
WOMAN: (To child) What has Jesus
done for you?
The child tells in his/her own words about Jesus’ dying for
him/her.
THEME SONG: Child asks audience to join in singing
VERSE 6.
CHILD: (After song.) That’s my Jesus!
He knows my name, He
comes looking for me, I
am His favorite child,
I choose Him as my Friend,
He changes me, and He died
for me. Do you know my
Jesus? (Have audience raise
hands.) Please tell others
what Jesus has done for you
so they can meet Jesus, too.
CLOSING HYMN: “O How I Love Jesus” (Seventh-day
Adventist Hymnal 248)
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BENEDICTION (given by a child): Heavenly Father,
thank You for all You have done for us through Jesus. Help
us to go and tell others what You have done to save us.
Amen.
THEME SONG: MEET THE LORD
(Tune: “O Fill It Up,” He Is Our Song 135)
BOYS: Come, meet the Lord!
GIRLS: Meet my Jesus full of grace and truth
BOYS: Come, meet the Lord!
GIRLS: Meet my Jesus full of grace and truth
BOYS: Come, meet the Lord!
GIRLS: Meet my Jesus full of grace and truth
ALL: My Jesus knows my name.*
*2. My Jesus comes looking for me.
3. I’m Jesus’ favorite child.
4. I choose Him to be my Friend.
5. My Jesus changes me.
6. My Jesus died for me.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
The following ideas can be used as part of Children’s
Sabbath to illustrate the theme of children sharing
their concept of Jesus:
• Ahead of time, have children in Sabbath school classes
create pictures of Jesus. Display the children’s art in
the foyer and/or create a PowerPoint slide show to
present during the service.
• Ahead of time, videotape interviews with children in
your church telling what Jesus means to them. Show
them during the service.
• Have young people teach adult Sabbath school
classes on Children’s Sabbath.
• Hold a children’s baptism at the end of the service.
For baptismal vows, use the version in a child’s
vocabulary (see “Child’s Baptismal Vows” at
www.childmin.com/ChildrensSabbath). Read
each child’s testimony that has been written out
ahead, or show a video of them giving their testimony.
• Have a potluck for members and guests after the
service. Involve young people as servers.
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