Barriers

Scripture of the week: Mark 9:38-50

Lesson: In today's scripture, Jesus is teaching about things that can stop us from making good choices. Do you know what a barrier is? A barrier is something that gets in our way and blocks us from going in a certain direction. Some barriers are good and are there for our own safety. They help us follow the rules and keep us safe. A railing around a deck is a barrier. It keeps us from getting too close to the edge and falling off.

Other kinds of barriers can be bad. Can you think of some ways a barrier can hurt us? Sometimes, even other people can be barriers to us. Have you ever had another kid ask you to do something that you knew was wrong but you did it anyway? We are all guilty of this at one time or another, aren't we. People like that are being a barrier to us trying to make good choices and follow the rules.

Jesus is telling us in this scripture that if something or someone is stopping you from making good choices, then we have to find a way to get around these barriers. It is better to go without something if it is only going to lead to you making a bad choice in the end. Let's all try to make good choices this week and figure out how to work around the bad stuff to keep us doing what is right.

Let's pray:

Dear God,

Sometimes things or people get in our way and make it hard for us to follow the rules and make good choices. We want to be like you but we need you to help us move these barriers out of our way. Life is hard. Please help us solve our problems and make the right choices.

Amen