Fasting Kids

God Expects us to Fast

10/17/2021

New Living Translation Chapter 6

16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

-----------------------------------------------------

Good morning boys and girls! So what is fasting? Is that when… we run really fast? No? Is that when, we do everything we can as fast as we can? No? Hmm. Then what is fasting?

Well, Jesus fasted, so let’s take a look and see what Jesus did to fast

Matthew 4:1-4 NLT

New Living Translation Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

“Fasting is when we take a break from feeding what our body craves, to to feed what our soul craves.”

So, why should we fast? God expects us to fast. Jesus said in the story ‘when we fast’ which says to us, that he expects us to fast. So, if you’re a christian, and you love Jesus, at some point you should be fasting!

God Rewards us for Fasting

To show how we fast, I’ve brought a basket of some of my favorite things!

Ice cream/sweets

Apple/food

Fasting food humbles us and reminds us to feed our soul, and God rewards us for it.

“By taking a break from things we need and/or love we show our dependency on God, while also humbling ourselves! If you ever fast food, and hear your tummy growl, that’s a good reminder to feed your soul instead by reading scripture, and talking to God!

Video Games

Football

TV Remote/fast television, or digital entertainment.

Headphones/fast music, or certain kinds of music.

Fasting entertainment helps us remove distractions, so we don’t forget about God.

Are any of these things bad? No, if you’re watching good shows or playing good games, these aren’t bad.

“We can take a break from entertainment to better focus on God too! Sometimes these things can take so much of our time, that we forget about God! Raise your hand if you feel like you’ve ever been forgotten about, especially by a friend. So, by taking breaks this makes sure we really focus on God!”

When we fast, God wants to reward us!

One more thing I want you to remember. When you fast, keep it between you and God. Then, God will reward you!

put the things back in the basket, and cover it in a sheet.

So now, let’s take some time, you’ll each be given a sticky note. Let’s just ask God, ‘what are some things I can take a break from to better focus on you.’