Category Archives: Object Lessons

Object Lessons: Ken’s favorite word pictures to teach Biblical principles and stir the imagination of your youth. They also make great Children’s sermons. Christ often used them in his teaching, using common objects like a mustard seed, a fig tree, a grain of wheat, a drink of water, stony soil, and more.

Object Lessons

Autumn Leaves

November 6, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

In the autumn season, the leaves on the trees start changing colors. Depending on where you live you can see vibrant red, orange, yellow and brown leaves. And there still might be some green ones around as well. Soon they will detach themselves from the tree and fall to the ground. So we also call this season the Fall. But the leaves also serve as a spiritual object lesson.

What You Need

Collect a variety of autumn leaves, at least one for each youth, of different sizes, shapes, colors.

What to do

Display the leaves.
Have each youth select a leaf that represents him or herself in some way.
Ask the youth to describe every detail about their leaves to a partner. Have a couple of volunteers share the description with the group as a whole. You could aso have them tell the life story of the leaf in a creative way. What things has it endured? What things did it get to see / enjoy from its perch on the tree, how it lived through the seasons, and finally how it fell and ended up here.
Ask each youth to display the leaf and share one thing about the leaf that is also true of them.

Observations for discussion

Every leaf has a life story. Leaves are temporary, different shapes, scarred, different colors, alive, dead, attached, detached, dry, moist, light, heavy, different sizes, different leaf patterns and veins, different ages, they change, some are blown away, others cling to the tree, some are brittle, others are flexible, rough, smooth, piled up, alone, they bring shade, reach for the sun, draw from the root, etc.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Psalm 1 teaches us some lessons about trees, and says we are like trees. Read Psalm 1 from the Bible.

How does God describe the wicked in Psalm 1 and how is similar to the Autumn leaves? (Like debris blown away by the wind, unable to stand, they will die.)
How does God describe the Righteous in Psalm 1 and how is this similar to a tree planted by the water? (Blessed, happy, delighted, like leaves that do not doesn’t wither)
What truths can we learn from Psalm 1?
What is the difference between them that leads to the different outcome?

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

What are the ways that youth draw closer to God, to be refreshed and strengthened by Him, to grow strong and fruitful, to not whither, but be full of life? Why is it important?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

What will you do this week to draw closer to God, to be refreshed and strengthened by Him, to grow strong and fruitful, to not whither, but be full of life?

SCRIPTURE

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” – Psalm 1

Creative Holiday Ideas
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan not only your next Fall Festival or Thanksgiving Celebration, but also most of the other common holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for the holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

=> Tell me more about the Holiday Collection

Object Lessons

Trick or Treat? – Sharing the Gift of Salvation

October 15, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

This youth activity uses Halloween candy as a discussion starter for the topic of evangelism. The Gospel is often called the “Good News” and it is something we should be excited about sharing with others. But like the popular Halloween phrase “Trick or Treat?” we sometimes wonder if evangelism is a trick or a treat? Is it something that frightens us, that we are tricked into doing, or are so excited about the Good News that we can’t help but share it with others.

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What you need

A bag of candy (As Halloween is just around the corner, you can easily get a variety of candy in individually wrapped snack sizes.)
a Bible

What to do

Play some games with the youth as an icebreaker, preferably sitting in a circle.
Once you have played a few rounds of a popular icebreaker game, simply reward one of the youth with a big bag of candy, preferable one of those who did not win any of the games. Describe and show the contents of the bag of candy to the youth and then simply reward it to one of them.
If youth ask why the particular youth got the candy, simply explain that it is yours and you just wanted to give it to someone – not because of anything they did, but simply because of who you are – a good person.
After you have given the candy to one of the youth, join the circle and stare expectantly at the person with the candy with your hand held out to receive a piece. Without saying anything, encourage other youth to also stare in expectation to get some candy.
When the youth offers to share the candy, affirm them and thank them. (If the youth never offers to share, tell them that now is the time to share the candy, as if it was planned and they had forgotten.)
Once everyone has some candy, debrief.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Debrief

To the Youth receiving the candy

How did it feel to be given the big bag of candy, even though you were not a winner in any of the games?
How did it feel when everyone stared at you expecting you to share the candy?
What made you decide to share?

To the Rest of the Youth

What were you hoping would happen when you saw the big bag of candy?
How did it feel to see someone else get something good when you received nothing?
Once the candy was given to someone else, what did you then hope for?
How would you have felt if the candy had not been shared?

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Read Acts 4:18-20

How was Peter and John’s sharing Jesus similar to (person’s name) sharing the candy with the rest of the youth?
What was Peter and John’s motivation for sharing?
How is salvation a gift? (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-10)
How is does the experience with the candy, relate to us receiving the sweet gift of salvation?
How would keeping the candy to yourself be like not sharing Jesus with others?
How is the Gospel Sweet? Why does the popular hymn begin with “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound?”

One of the definitions of GRACE is

God’s
Riches
At
Christ’s
Expense

Jesus left the glory of heaven and suffererd through the agony of Calvary, dying on a cross to pay the penalty of sin in our place, so that God could give us the gift of eternal life. It is not something we deserved, but an undeserved gift. When we put our trust in him, we accept the gift and he calls us to share the same opportunity with others.

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

What are some of the gifts we receive as a child of God?
How can we share those gifts with others?
What is the greatest gift you could give to someone?
How can we share the gift of salvation with others in words?
How can we share the gift of salvation with others in actions?
Why do we need to share in both words and actions? (Romans 15:18)

MAKE IT PERSONAL

What is your favorite thing to talk about (share) with others?
Why do we find it easy to talk about things that we love, but difficult to talk about the Saviour we love?
What is something that you can do this week to share the gift of salvation both in words and action?

Additional Scriptures

Acts 4:18-20
“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.'”

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (NASB)
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith•and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

1 Peter 2:12
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Romans 15:18
“For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience•by word and deed,”

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…

Object Lessons

The Helmet of Salvation

October 8, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Today, helmets are more commonly associated with sports and motorbikes, but in the New Testament period they were primarily known as a critical piece of a soldier’s armor. The helmet protected the soldier’s head in battle. In Ephesians 6 when Paul talks about spiritual battle he mentions the helmet of salvation as a piece of our spiritual equipment. While a breastplate protects the heart, a helmet protects our brain, our thinking. The following activities and object lesson serve as a look at the helmet of Salvation and its meaning for youth today.

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What you need

Collect a variety of helmets:

Cycling Helmet
Motorcycle Helmet
Batting Helmet
Cricket Helmet
Climbing Helmet
Hard Hat
Fireman’s Helmet
Skateboarding Helmet
Hockey Goalie Helmet

If helmets are difficult to come by or you need bigger numbers, you can also add a collection of hats in addition to at least one real helmet. Around Halloween it is also quite easy to find a variety of interesting hats like those for a fireman, policeman, etc.

baseball hat
chef’s hat (toque)
winter hat
cowboy hat
birthday hat
sombrero
straw hat

You can also make paper hats from a sheet of newspaper. Simple instructions can be found here.

When I was young we used KFC Chicken Buckets as hats.

Icebreaker Games with Hats

Musical Hats

Similar in concept to musical chairs, place the youth in a circle and give them all hats except one. The person without a hat removes the hat from the person immediately in front of him/her in the circle and places it on his/her head. When your hat is removed you grab the next one. The game continues until the music stops and the person without a hat is removed from the game. Remove one hat from play, shrink the circle and keep playing until there are only a few winners left.

Alternatively, everyone except one is given a hat to wear. Play some upbeat music and when the music stops, everyone tosses their hats in the air and quickly grabs a new one and places it on their heads. The last youth to get a hat is removed from game and play continues until there is only one youth left.

Hat Towers

Place a large pile of hats in the center of the room. Divide into 2 or more teams. The teams choose one member and try to place as many hats on the person’s head as possible. The youth with the most hats on their head after a set period of time wins the game for his or her team.

An Object Lesson with a Helmet

Get two small pumpkins, that can be strapped inside a bicycle or motorcycle helmet. (Small watermelons or cantaloupes also will work.)
Set up a tall ladder on a hard surface covered with a tarp.
Have the youth use permanent markers to draw faces on the pumpkins and give them names.
Use the chin strap to secure one pumpkin inside the helmet. Leave the other one without any protection.
Climb the ladder and talk read the armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-17.
When you finish it drop both pumpkins at the same time.
If your ladder is tall enough one will be smashed and the other will be fine.
Then ask the youth explain how this relates to the “Helmet of Salvation”

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Debrief

What happened?
Why?
What can we learn from this?
What are some activities that need helmets? Why?
What are some of the characteristics of helmets?
What does a helmet do?
What purpose did helmets serve in the Roman army?

Here are some common answer to characteristics of hats:

Different Hats have different purposes.
Protects head
Keeps hair out of the food
Identifies your team
Shade your eyes
Keeps your head warm
Some hats are ceremonial

Key point: A soldier’s helmet protected his head and gave him confidence that he was safe from the enemy’s attack.

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

How is our hope of salvation like a helmet?
In what way does salvation protect our mind? Our thoughts?
How does salvation protect our thoughts?
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11 is similar to Ephesians 6. How does it give more meaning to the helmet?

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

How is our hope of salvation a protection against, doubts, discouragements, despair, bad thoughts, and temptations?
How does the hope of salvation give us courage in our daily living?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Have you put on salvation? If not, now is the time.
What are some of your personal doubts, discouragements, despair, bad thoughts, and temptation for which you need protection? Which one is biggest in your mind right now?
How can the hope of salvation give you courage to face these with confidence?
What will you do different this week, because of the hope of salvation?

Additional Scriptures

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

Ephesians 6:10-17
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Romans 8:37-39
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Isaiah 12:2
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

1 Peter 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,”

Isaiah 59:17
“He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.”

Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 10:5
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

Learn More…

Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Object Lessons

Salt of the Earth – An Object Lesson for Youth

September 24, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Salt is necessary for life. It is made from sodium (Na) which is an unstable metal which easily bursts into flame and chloride (Cl) which is a deadly gas. Salt is used to preserve fruits and meats, to add flavor to food, and even to heal wounds. In Roman times it was difficult to obtain and so was considered very valuable. Soldiers were paid with salt which gives us the English word “Salary” and the phrase to be “worth his salt.” But Jesus used salt to describe the way the Disciples were to relate to the world. What’s the lesson for us?

What you need

Salted and unsalted peanuts
Salted and unsalted popcorn
Salted and unsalted snacks
Dried fruits / salt preserved fruits
Blindfolds

(If you want to add a more fun, buy a variety of jelly bean flavors. Jelly Belly has a lot of creative flavors but any Jelly Beans will work)

Preparation

Place the snacks into separate bags or bowls.

What to do

Blindfold students and ask them to identify the various foods by taste.
Ask youth to describe the various foods and the differences. Make a list.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Debrief

Which of the foods has the strongest taste and why?
Which of the foods do you think is the most salty?
What are some foods that taste better, that come to life, when a little salt is added (Potato chips, French fries, peanuts, popcorn)
Make a list of anything that comes to mind when you hear the word “salt”.

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

1. Read Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

2. How can we influence the world in the same way as salt?

Christians like salt are of great value
Christians like salt are a preservative to the decay around us in the world
Christians like salt are to add zest, flavor, excitement to the world
Christians like salt are to make people thirsty for the Living Water
Christians like salt can help promote healing
Christians like salt can lose our influence and usefulness

Like salt we preserve, we help to offset the decay in morals around us. Like salt we add flavor, we make a difference that people can notice. Like salt, we make people thirsty for the water of life. Like salt we bring others into wholeness and healing through Christ. We make a difference not only by our presence and our actions, but also by our words. (Colossians 4:5-6)

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

Describe a time when you’ve seen a fellow Christian act as salt to make a difference?
How can we prevent ourselves from being diluted, of being mixed with other things so that we are no longer salty?

In what ways are Christians of great value in the world?
In what ways are Christians a preservative to prevent decay?
In what ways does the life of a Christian add flavor to the world?
In what ways do Christians make people hungry for the living water – Christ?
In what ways do Christians promote healing?
In what ways can Christians lose our influence and become useless to Christ?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

If we are not making a difference in the world, what use are we? The reason God doesn’t take us straight to heaven is because he wants us to make a difference here. As Christians, if we in the world, but there is no difference between us and the world around us, we have lost our saltiness. If people cannot see the difference God has made in our lives, we have lost our saltiness. If we have no positive influence, we don’t bring healing, and add something to those we come in contact with, we have lost our saltiness.

What one lesson can you take from this study and apply to your own life?
How can you, like salt, make a difference when you are at school, at home, among your friends, in your neighborhood?

Additional Scriptures

Colossians 4:5-6
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, SEASONED WITH SALT, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Mark 9:50
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Luke 14:34
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.”

Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

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Object Lessons

God Given Talents

September 17, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Are you using the gifts, talents, and skills God’s given you for the benefit of others, to make the world a better place, to shine out for Christ? Or are you just using them to benefit yourself or not using them at all and letting them go to waste?

What you Need

Paper Money – Not plastic notes as used in some countries, but linen/cotton paper notes. The amount of money used is up to you. The greater the amount, the greater the impact, but a single dollar will make the point.
A 50-50 alcohol solution – If you are using isopropyl alcohol you can usually find it in a variety of percentages of alcohol. It doesn’t have to be exact but needs to be close. You can mix 50 ml of water with 50 ml of 95-100% alcohol. With 70% alcohol solution use 70ml of alcohol and add another 30ml of distilled water. With 91% alcohol solution use 55ml of alcohol and 45 ml of distilled water.
Lit Candle in a candle holder
Metal Tongs
Bowl of water (Just in case you need to douse the fire)
Matches to light the candle
Dash of salt (to make the flame burn yellow)

Preparation

Prepare the 50/50 alcohol and water solution.
Add a pinch salt to help produce a yellow flame as alcohol tends to burn blue and makes a barely visible flame.
When you light the paper money, the alcohol will burn but the paper will not. You can try with some ordinary paper first. If it burns you need to add more distilled water.

What to Do

Place the money in the solution until it is completely soaked.
Keep the matches candle, and bowl hidden until you need them.
Say, “I am considering giving [Amount of money i.e. $50] to the youth who will give it to the most worthwhile cause.”
Take the money from the solution, and discretely let the excess liquid drip off and then hold it up with the tongs.
Ask each youth what they would honestly do with the money if you were to give it to them.
While they answer place it back in the solution so it does not dry out completely.
After all youth have answered respond: “You’ve given me some very good ideas on how I could spend this money, but instead think I will burn it. It is my money and I will do with it what I want!”
Take out the candle and light it. (Sometimes the youth will blow out the candle!) Persist.
Holding the monem with the tongs, move the damp money away from the alcohol-water solution.
Then light the bill in the candle and hold it over the bowl until it burns out.
After the youth have calmed down, ask them what makes this piece of paper worth something. The answer is that others will give something to you for it.
Explain. “I know many of you felt frustrated that I would waste something that is so valuable to you, but think about how God must feel when we waste our lives. Sure, they are our lives to do with as we please, but you are valuable, too. God gave his Son’s life for you!”

Alternative Variation

If you are concerned about the safety of the object lesson, you can do something similar with a lump of modelling clay.
Explain: “This clay is mine but loan it to you for a while. You can do anything with it until I tell you time is up. Go!”
Be sure to have one lump of clay reserved for yourself. Don’t do anything with it.
After a predetermined length of time, call “Time’s Up” and let the youth explain their various creations.
Talk about the amazing things that were done. Then explain that you didn’t do anything with yours.
This lump of clay is like your life. God gave you this live to do whatever you wanted with it. You can choose to do nothing, make your life something that benefits others, or even make it one that hurts others. The choice is yours. But you were created with a purpose.

TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Read 1 Peter 4:10-11
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (NIV)

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

God gives you talents and He expects you to use them. Use them to serve others and to bring glory to God.
On a piece of paper, make a list of various talents, skills, and abilities found in the youth group or amonf friends or that you appreciate – one per line.
Then on the right side write some ways that God might be able to use those talents and skills to serve others and for his glory. Include ways in church and also outside the church.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

From the list, or from your head, think of one talent YOU have and consider how you can use it to serve others and bring glory to God this week.

Additional Scriptures

Psalm 139:13-18
Psalm 24:1
Matthew 25:14-30
Colossians 3:23-25
Romans 12:3-8

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Object Lessons

Clean Hands and Hearts

August 27, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Here’s another summer outdoor activity that serves as a Bible Study. In the Bible, the phrase “clean hands and a pure heart” not only describes someone who is pure both inside and outside, but it also speaks of what we do (hands) and what we think (hearts).

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What You Need

Bible
towels
mud / dirt and water
bucket
water faucet

What to Do

Mix dirt and water in a bucket to make thick mud
Gather the youth around the bucket of mud and have them dip their hands in the mud.
Have the youth sit down while you read Psalm 51. Fairly quickly, the mud will dry and become uncomfortable.

Take it to the Next Level

DEBRIEF

Ask the youth what David was feeling when he wrote this Psalm?
Ask them to share the circumstances of the Psalm (2 Samuel 11)?
Ask the youth to compare what the mud feels like to how David was feeling.
Ask the youth to join hands and then describe what it is like to hold a muddy hand.

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Ask youth to share ways that the mud similar to sin?
What would happen if we never washed our hands?

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

How does sin affect us when we come before God?
How does sin affect how God sees us?
How does it affect relationships with God and others around us?
Use some of the scriptures listed below to discuss sin and cleansing.

Closing Activity

Bring the youth to a water faucet and help them to wash their hands. Let them use towels to dry each others hands.

Ask the youth to share how they feel now, and how it feels to not only hold clean hands, but also to help others get their hands clean. How does this relate to confession, God’s cleansing, and our mission as Christians? How does clean hands affect how we live life?

Explain some people think going to church, being nice, doing good things is all you have to do to remove the sin in your life. Those things are good but they are seen on the outside we have to also clean ourselves on the inside. We can wash the dirt off our bodies, but what can we do about sin which is inside our hearts? Water cannot cannot remove sin. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins. And once we are clean before God, we are given the ministry to reconcile others to God, to help them to find forgiveness in him and also be cleansed from sin.

MAKE IT PERSONAL

Ask each youth to have some quiet moments with God of confession, and contemplating what he has done for us and how they can help others find the cleansing of Christ.

Scriptures

Matthew 23:27-28
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

Mark 7:14-15
“Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.'”

Proverbs 20:9
“Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?”

Romans 3:23
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Isaiah 1:18
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

Hebrews 10:22-23
“let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

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Object Lessons

Christian Trailblazers

August 13, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

The Bible uses a lot of symbols and metaphors from nature to explain spiritual truths. In this outdoor Bible study, you’ll identify some objects along a nature trail and ask the youth to make a list of everything they spot along the trail. These lists will then be used to discuss various scripture passages. It’s great for any season, but especially for summer!

What You Need

Bibles
An outdoor location with some nature. It can be an actual trail through a park, wilderness or natural area or it can be any path designated path. It could be a path along a sidewalk, a bike trail, a biking trail, or even the area between two trees, two designated landmarks, or even flags planted in the ground. All you need is a predefine starting location and a predefined end point.

What to Do

Guide the youth to walk along the trail route and to carefully write down everything that they see of interest.
When you reach a predefined destination or stopping point along the trail, lay out a blanket or groundsheet and have the youth share the things they discovered along the trail.
Ask youth what lessons they could learn about God from what they found, aside from the obvious of God being the Creator.

Scriptures

Here are some common items found along just about any trail

Animals, birds – Acts 10:9-16
Ant – Proverbs 6:6, 30:25
Bees – Deuteronomy 1:44
Birds – Matthew 6:25-34
Birds, foxes – Matthew 8:20
Branch – Psalm 4:2; Isaiah 11:1; John 15
Bush – Exodus 3:2
Chicks, Hen – Matthew 23:37
Coin – Luke 15:9
Deer, water – Psalm 42:1
Egg, scorpion – Luke 11:12
Feathers – Psalm 91:4
Flower, Grass, Dust – Psalm 103:14-16
Flowers – Matthew 6:27-29
Garbage – Philippians 3:8
Gnat – Matthew 23:44
Path, seeds, weeds, trees – Matthew 13:1-23, 24-29, 31-34
Rock – Psalm 18:2; Matthew 16:18
Rocks – Luke 19:40
Roots – Job 29:19
Sand – Matthew 7:24-27
Sparrows – Luke 12:6
Stone – Acts 4:11
Trees, Leaf – Psalm 1
Trees, stones – Luke 3:9
Vine – Jonah 4:6-11; John 15
Wild Flower – James 1:10

Take it to the Next Level

If any of the objects are mentioned, you can assign the person who mentioned it to look up the scripture verse. You can also simply share some of the things you noted along the trail and reference the read the scripture verses together.

Make it Spiritual

How are these objects used in the Bible? What do they mean?

Make it Practical

Why do you think God uses objects from nature in the Bible as symbols and metaphors for spiritual truths?

Make it Personal

Which symbol or object had the biggest impression on you? Why?
What lesson from this nature walk can you apply to your spiritual walk this week.

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Object Lessons

Jesus – The Source

August 9, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

During the summer, a lot of youth ministries have outdoor activities. If you are near a park or area with a lot of trees, why not add this outdoor Bible study to your outing to stimulate some spiritual discussions and point the youth to Christ!

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An Outdoor Object Lesson

This object lesson will guide youth to compare our relationship with Christ to that of a tree and it’s branches.

What you Need

A blanket or ground sheet for each group

Preparation

Find a place outdoors where there are several trees. Fruit trees amke for a better illustration, but other trees can work just as well.
Ask the youth to form groups of 3 to 5 persons. Give each group a blanket, and have each group choose a tree.
Ask the groups to lay the ground sheet at the base of the tree, and lie down on the blanket, on their backs, looking up at the tree.

What to Say

1. Imagine the tree you are under represents Christ and his followers.

Which part of the tree you are looking at would represent Christ? Explain.
Which part of the tree would represent his followers? Explain.

2. Look at the branches of the tree. Are there any dead branches or branches that look like they are dying? Any branches that need to be cut off?

What causes branches to die?
How can a follower become spiritually dead, like one of the dead branches?

3. Are there any branches that look more alive than others? Move vibrant? More green? Have new growth?

What leads to new growth for us as Christians?

4. How can you tell if a tree like this is reproducing? Are there sprouts, flowers, seeds, or fruit?

In what ways do we reproduce spiritually?
In what ways are you growing and reproducing spiritually?

Take it to the Next Level

Instruct the youth to find a branch that represents him or her in some way and bring it back to the group as a whole next to the biggest tree. Ask the youth to take a closer look at the branch, then have all youths to toss all the branches into one big pile.
Ask the youth to pair up. In turn each youth will describe his or her branch, every little detail they can remember about it to his or her partner so that the partner, from th description will be able to identify the correct branch in the pile and bring it back. When the partner returns with the branch, if it is correct, they switch roles and now the other youth describes his or her branch. If the branch is incorrect it is returned to the pile to try again.
One both youth have gotten the branch back they must each explain the ways they are similar to the branch in a spiritual sense. Responses may vary in depth and insight depending on how comfortable youth are with each other.
Share from John 15, the vine and the branches then ask youth to share some ways that a person can be more spiritually alive.
Ask the youth to share something each can do this week to be closer to Christ and to be more alive in the Christian walk.
End by having the groups form one big circle around the biggest, most fruitful, most vibrant tree and pray that like the tree they will grown strong in Christ, drawing from the source, and producing abundant fruit that will last.

Scripture

Main Scripture Passage: John 15:1-17

Key Verse: John 15: 5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

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Object Lessons

The Exchanged Life in Christ

July 23, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

There is a great exchange that takes place when we put our faith in Christ. Our old way of living, thinking, speaking, and acting is replaced – not all at once, but over time. When God looks at us, he sees us through the blood of Christ so our position before God changes immediately, but our thinking and our habits, change over time. As we grow more and more in purity and become more Christlike, we make room for the fruits of the spirits in our lives to develop and provode more opportunities for God to work through us to minister to others.

An Object Lesson

What you need

a clear glass pitcher filled with distilled water
a fish bowl that holds the same amount of water as the pitcher
a pile of smooth, egg-sized stones.
a permanent marker
a pair of ice tongs
9 goldfish

What to do

1. Ask the youth to name some of the things we know hinder our spiritual growth and write their answers on each of the stones, with a permanent marker.

Some possible answers might be: addictions, anger, arrogance, backbiting, being unmerciful, bitterness, boasting, cheating, complaining, complacency, a critical spirit, cruel words, deceit, depression, discontent, dishonesty, disobedience, divisiveness, doubt, drunkenness, envy, fear, foolish talk, fornication, gluttony, gossip, greed, harmful habits, hatred, impatience, ingratitude, jealousy, laziness, lies, materialism, pornography, pride, profanity, quarreling, self-righteousness, selfish ambition, sexual lust, strife, theft, unholy thoughts, worry

2. Now place the stones in the fishbowl, filling it to the top. Pour as much of the water as you can into the fish bowl. It probably doesn’t take much. The old habits, the old thoughts, the old way we speak, limit God’s ability to use your life to share the living water with others.

3. One by one remove each of the stones with the ice tongs. After removing each stone, pour in a little more water. By the time every stone has been removed, much of the water can fit in the container.

4. Take out the nine goldfish and name them. The first one is “Love.” Put it in the fishbowl. The next one is “Joy.” The third one is “Peace.” See them swim happily in their new home? You know the rest of the names…Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

5. Conclude: As you remove the dead stones, the blockages, you make room for God to bring the fruits of the spirit into your life. Where once you were filled with dead stones, you are now filled with life.

Take it to the Next Level

Make it spiritual

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 6:19-23

Make it Practical

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24

Our old way of living, thinking, speaking, and acting is replaced which each decision that we make. It is a process of becoming more and more like God / Christ. What are some of the characteristics, actions, thoughts, attitudes, and speech that are Christlike?

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” – Colossians 3:1-4

When God looks at us, he sees us through the blood of Christ so our position before God changes immediately, but our thinking and our habits, change over time.

Make it Personal

What are some actions, thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and things you say that need to be exchanged for something more Christlike?
What can you work on this week?

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Object Lessons, Teaching Illustrations

Visions of Christ

June 26, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Refining our gifts, skills, talents and abilities, striving for excellence, is a very important and noble task, that gives Christ more to work with. But regardless of our level of ability, everything we have is to be used for His glory so that others see a vision of Christ when they look at us. This story and Object lesson reminds us that we must live a life that is so close to Christ, that like those in Antioch, we are called Christians – “little Christs”.

Object Lessons

Instead of displaying an object lesson for the youth to learn from, we will be providing a variety of objects for youth to use as object lessons. They will be creating the object lessons.

Collect a variety of small items from your office or home. A pencil, a piece of paper, a sticky note, a stapler, a sugar packet, a thumb tack, an envelop, a letter opener, a coin, a key, a ring, a bottle cap, a ruler, a knife, a shoe lace, a breath mint, a piece of candy, a cup, a plate, a napkin, a nail file, a name card, a clothes pin, a screw, a nail, a paper clip, a magnet, a towel, a battery, a toothbrush, a comb, and just about anything else you can find. Use whatever you have available. Make sure you have enough items for the entire group to each have a different item with a few to spare.
Ask the youth to each take one item that represents something about God. What truth about God or Christ does it bring to mind? What is something about God it could represent?
Let the youth share what the item represents about God or what it reminds them of in relation to God.
After all the youth have shared, tell the following story.

An Illustration

In the 18th century there was a German sculptor by the name of Johann Heinrich von Dannecker. Legend says that he could almost bring stone to life with his skills as a sculptor.

At the height of his career, he decided to do something very special with his gift. He dreamed of shaping a piece of lifeless stone into a statue of Christ that would come to life as a witness to his world.

He chiseled, scraped and polished the marble for almost 2 years. When he was convinced that his statue carried the likeness of his Lord, he wanted to test the statue on eyes that would not lie.

So he went out to the street, and brought in a young girl. He took her into his studio, and he set her down in front of the shrouded sculpture. Uncovering it, he asked her, “Do you know who this is?” “No, sir!” she replied. But he must be a very great man. And Dannecker knew that he’d failed. The statue was good enough for kings and nobles, but it wasn’t good enough to be a testimony of Christ.

He was discouraged. He was disheartened. He was depressed. But he knew that he had to try again. So he set his hand to the task. It took him six years this time, every day, painstakingly, shaping, carving and polishing. Finally, once again he felt he was done. And again, he brought in a child as his first critic.

He took off the shroud, and asked her gently, “Who is that?” Legend has it that tears came to her eyes as she recognised Jesus. It was enough. Dannecker had finished his task. He had created his masterpiece. He had given visible shape to his faith.

Later, to a friend, he told the secret of those last six years. It was as if, he said, Christ had joined him daily in his little room. He felt the nearness of his Lord. He sensed the glory of his Presence. All Dannecker had to do, really, was to transfer the vision of Christ that he received to the block of marble.

I am not sure if the story is true, but it is a powerful story with a profound message. And…

There’s more to the story.

Some years later, the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte saw Dannecker’s work. He was so impressed, he sent for the sculptor and offered him a commission. “Make me a statue of the goddess Venus.” It was considered an incredible honor to be chosen as the creator of such a work of art! Who could refuse? But you know what? Dannecker did! He refused the commission. He gave up that honor.

And you know why?

His responded to Napoleon: “A man who has seen Christ can never employ his gifts in carving out a pagan goddess!”

Take it to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual

What are some of the gifts, talents, skills, and abilities that we have in our group?
How can these be used to teach others something about God? How can they be used to bring Glory to God?

Make it Personal

I think the true secret to making Christ come to life in my lifes, to be truly Christlike, is to spend lots of time in His presence and to project the very presence and nearness of Christ in my personal life.

Like Johann Heinrich von Dannecker many of us have failed at times, some of us decidedly more toward the disastrous rather than the masterful. But I truly believe that if we keep our hearts focused on Him, that like with Danneker, God can use our labours of love, our gifts, talents, skills, and abilities to touch the hearts of others all over the world and open doors to sharing the gospel.

Make it Practical

List some of your talents, skills, abilities and gifts.
How could these be used to bring Glory to God?
What is something you can do this week to be more Christlike, to let others see a vision of Christ in you this week?
If everything you did, was done for God’s benefit, was done to please Him, glorify Him, would your actions change? Would you do things differently?

Would you speak to people differently?
Would you treat others differently?
Would you do different things?
Would you do things differently?
If God were your employer, your teacher, your parent, your constant companion would anything change?

Scripture

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:10-11

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive and inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24

In the The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-28), 3 servants were given 5 talents, 2 talents and 1 talent respectively. In those days talents referred to money. But today when someone speaks of talents, we think of the great scientists, artists, musicians, actors and athletes. From the story we learn that God has given us each different talents and abilities that he expects us to use for his benefit.

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