Children’s Ministry Message: Election Day Twist

Use this simple Children’s Ministry message on Election Day to teach children about obeying their leaders.

You’ll need:

• a Bible and
• two kinds of pretzels (straight and twisted) in bags.

Children’s Ministry Message: Election Day Twist

Say: Election Day is coming up, the day when we get the privilege of voting! I thought I’d let you vote right here, right now. However, you’re not going to vote for a person, but for a pretzel! I have two kinds of pretzels. Hold up one bag on your left and one on your right. What pretzel do you think is best-the straight or the twisted? If you’d like to vote for this kind of pretzel, get up and stand on my left side. If you’d like to vote for this kind of pretzel, get up and stand on my right side. Count the children on each side. If it’s a tie, cast your own vote. Announce the winner.

Say: Just like with real elections, you don’t always get your first choice in every vote. I’m going to pass out the winning pretzel for you to munch on while I read what God has to say about people who are elected to rule over us. Pass out the winning pretzels.

Getting in the Bible

Open your Bible to Titus 3:1. Say: The Bible says, “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.” When you’re “subject” to someone, you have to obey him or her, and the Bible says to obey rulers and authorities — this includes the ones you didn’t vote for. Ask:

• Who do you obey each day?
• Why does God want us to obey our leaders?

Say: God gives us parents and teachers to obey. We also have leaders who run our country who we need to obey. On Election Day, adults vote for the people who will run our cities and states and country. Let’s say a prayer asking for God’s blessings on our leaders. I’ll say one thing and then when I point to you, you can say, “Bless them, Lord!” Are you ready?

Dear God,

We pray for our leaders today.

“Bless them, Lord!”

Please help them in every way.

“Bless them, Lord!”

Be near them, dear Lord, we pray.

“Bless them, Lord!”

Please guide what they do and say.

“Bless them, Lord!”

In Jesus’ name, amen.