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Anyone who has done children's sermons will sooner or later hear from someone that "I learn more from the children's sermon than I do from the real sermon." And indeed, the truths of scripture are so simple that even a child can understand them. So it's no accident that children's sermons have become a central part of the worship service in many churches.Brett Blair and Tim Carpenter offer a year's worth of object lessons that engage children and impart profound lessons for all ages. Two sermons are provided for each Sunday in Cycle A of the Revised Common Lectionary, one based on the Second Lesson and one based on the Gospel. The messages are structured in two parts: the "lesson" uses an object to draw out active responses from children, then the "application" connects that object to the assigned scripture reading. Each message includes a clear statement of its exegetical aim.Bright, innovative, perceptive, creative, grace-filled... Brett Blair and Tim Carpenter are all of those and much, much more, and that is reflected beautifully in their new book The Big Influence Of Small Things.James W. MoorePastor, St. Luke's United Methodist ChurchHouston, TexasBrett Blair is the pastor of Scenic Hills United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He holds the M.Div. degree from Yale University Divinity School and is a cum laude graduate of Oral Roberts University with B.A. and M.A. degrees in New Testament Literature.Tim Carpenter is the pastor of First United Methodist Church in Bolivar, Tennessee. He is a magna cum laude graduate from Memphis Theological Seminary with a M.Div. degree, and holds the B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Florida.

If you want an intriguing resource that can help you bring a fresh, contemporary perspective to some of Jesus' most enduring stories, then Visualizing The Parables is just what you're looking for. Originally conceived as a Lenten series, this set of brief plays updates five familiar parables, placing them in a modern context that suggests new ways of understanding these familiar texts. Written in an easy, conversational style and easily adapted to your individual circumstances, these scenes are simple to produce and can be used in a variety of settings. In addition to worship services, they are also excellent for classroom use or as openers for church council or congregational meetings -- and they're a great way of involving your church members (especially youth) in programs or worship.Parables dramatized include:* The Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-12)* The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)* The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)* The Rich Man (Mark 10:17-27)* The Great Banquet (Luke 14:16-24)Lynn Schlessman presents Jesus' words wrapped in packages that invite audiences to hear these parables in a new way, from an angle that feels accessible. The "punch lines" pack a wallop as they invite longtime Christians to "take another look" and encourage folks unfamiliar with the biblical words to get a glimpse of the absolute gift of God's love.Judy HoshekAssistant to the Bishop, Northeast Ohio SynodEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaLynn Robert Schlessman is the senior pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Avon Lake, Ohio. He has previously served two congregations in North Dakota, and he is a graduate of Wartburg College and Wartburg Seminary.