Gospel-Telling: The Art and Theology of Children's Sermons

by Richard J. Coleman

When was the last time you took a moment to consider the purpose and effectiveness of your children's sermons? After all, nothing is more important than sowing the seeds of faith early in life. In... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802819273
• ISBN13: 9780802819277
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 134 Pages

Customer Reviews

I Wish I Had Read This Years Ago!

Giving a children's sermon is a complex task, difficult to do well. Biblical and theological understanding, an awareness of child development, and speech communication skills are needed. Coleman shines as he wisely discusses these in Part I, the theoretical and practical foundations section. I recognized mistakes I made in the past, but Coleman readily admits he fell into the same traps before he studied it so carefully. The key, he says, is to give an opportunity for kids (and adults who are listening in) to be met by the gospel of Christ. We are to present a message that opens up the meaning or significance of a biblical passage, rather than retelling stories and leaving kids to try to figure them out alone. Part II provides a variety of types of sample children's sermons. I look forward to sharing Coleman's insights with the volunteers who lead children's messages in my congregation. I highly recommend this book to pastors, Christian educators, and church leaders. It should be required reading at seminary!

The Only Book of Its Kind!

Preachers need to read brief theological books on preaching every couple of years. Whether it is Barth, Craddock, Stott etc. we need to get someone else's perspecitive. It is vital that someone shakes up our thinking from time to time. The truth is that Coleman's book is the only book that does just that concerning children's sermons! Yes, the book does have some helpful sermons that one can use but that is not the greatest strength of this wonderful book. The book challenges us to look at what we are doing critically. I have been preaching children's sermons weekly for over twenty-five years. This is the first book that I have read on the subject that asks the tough questions. Yet I must admit much of the book encouraged me. It affirmed certain conclusions that I had reached on my own. In the end the book has made me more confident in directions I have taken such as often working with a puppet and some times merely reading a good children's picture book where Jonah is a mouse and the Ninevites are cats. His understanding of law and gospel in relation to what children need was very helpful and is usually missed in the normal "moralistic" children's sermon. I highly recommend this brief and thought provoking book. I wish that I had read this book in seminary!!!!!

Gospel Telling

Gospel Telling is more than just a compilation of children's sermons, although there are plenty of wonderful children's sermons in this useful book! Coleman explores the theology behind children's messages, leading the reader to think about his or her own theology. This thoughtful book will help the busy pastor or Christian education director reassess why we need children's messages in worship. In addition, it is a book that encourages preaching the Good News to children in theologically sound ways. Part II demonstrates ways to put the theology explored in Part I into practice with sample messages in a wide variety of styles. I wholeheartedly recommend this practical and inspiring book.

Gospel Telling: The Art and Theology of Children's Sermons

Richard Coleman takes a refreshing, new look at the art of children's sermons and Biblical storytelling. This book challenges the pastor or Christian educator to look beyond moral tales and worldly wisdom and into the transforming love of God. Helping children to experience Jesus and his teachings first hand is the work of the storyteller, and Christian formation rather than Christian education is the goal. With a clear understanding of child development and how childen hear stories, Coleman says that children's sermons must be "simple, direct, dramatic, and participatory." Over 30 sermons of various styles are included with helpful suggestions about delivery, choice of language, imagery, and possible use of objects, although Coleman cautions that the "object lesson" alone is not enough. The sermons are often open-ended, allowing children to draw their own conclusions and brief enough to encourage embellishment and creativity on the part of the storyteller. This slim volume is an excellent resource for beginners and seasoned storytellers alike.