Feasting on the Word, by David L. Bartlett and Carol Bartlett

The Bartletts view the children’s sermon as an integral part of worship, not just an add-on to entertain the children briefly. Children come to know the good news through story and to realize that “they are loved, helped, and cared for and that they can love, help, and care for others.” Those who prepare and deliver children’s sermons should give them the same kind of care and attention that they give to a sermon for adults. The same questions should be asked about the text, and the presenter has to have the same kind of awareness about the audience, including sensitivity to developmental capacities of the children present. Although the Bart­letts urge the construction of original children’s sermons, they provide some model sermons in the last chapter.