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

Father’s Toolbox

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Father’s Day is coming and we thought we’d pull out our “toolbox” of ideas you can use to demonstrate the many roles fathers play in the family. You could use this as a sermon illustration or object lesson for the Father’s Day weekend. We wish all our fathers out there a very blessed and fulfilling Father’s Day!

Resources

  • You may wish to bring a toolbox with all the items below as object lessons for this teaching idea.

What to Do

Many fathers have a toolbox. Inside the toolbox you will find many tools. And some of the tools in the toolbox make good metaphors for what a Father does.

In a tool box you find many different types of tools. Tools for:

  • Measuring: A measuring tape, a ruler – God’s Word, as taught by fathers become the standard by which we measure right and wrong.“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” – Proverbs 11:18-21

    “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live LONG in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12

  • Aligning: Square, A level, A Plumbline – Commands and teaching of our parents guide us to living the straight and narrow way.“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will GUIDE you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life” – Proverbs 6:20-23
  • Connecting: Stapler, Hammer, Screwdriver, Duct tape – Fathers strive to connect us with God and to live right with others.“From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” – Acts 17:26-27
  • Cutting: Saw, Knife, Plyers – Fathers teach us the words of God“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
  • Tightening / turning: Wrench, a spanner, a clamp, Plyers – Fathers seek to turn our attention to God, just as our heavenly Father turns our attention to our Fathers.

    “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…” – Malachi 4:6 
  • Shaping: Chisel, Sandpaper, files – Father’s shape our character and our values through their examples, through discipline, and through training. 

    “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17 

    “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?” – Hebrews 12:7 

    “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” – Proverbs 3:11-12

Summary

In summary, our fathers are like tools, building each of us into the person that God intended. They gives us examples and truths so that we can not only measure our lives, but we can align them to God’s purpose and truth. They connect us to God and others. As they instill the word of God in our lives and discipline us, the truth cuts, shapes and sharpens us to be more effective children of God.

There’s a great passage on the role of fathers in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

ENCOURAGING, COMFORTING, AND URGING THEM TO LIVE LIVES WORTHY OF GOD, WHO CALLS THEM INTO HIS KINGDOM AND GLORY.

Scripture References

Here’s some more scriptures on Fathers:

“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.”
– Proverbs 4:1

“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it – wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.”
– Proverbs 23:22-24

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.'”
– Ephesians 6:1-4

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
– Colossians 3:20

“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction…”
– Proverbs 13:1

“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”
– Proverbs 15:20

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”
– Psalm 103:13

“But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”
– Psalm 10:14

“Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.”
– Isaiah 64:8

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Take It to the Next Level

Each one of us has different experiences with our father. Some of us have been blessed with a godly father and we need to thank Him for that gift. But the Bible is also full of fathers that were less than perfect. If your experience with your father has been difficult you can find peace and comfort from God the Father. As Christians we all celebrate Father’s Day knowing that we have become a child of the everlasting heavenly Father who is perfect in compassion, strength, and care in every way.


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Creative Teaching Ideas, Object Lessons

God’s Word – A Mirror for Reflection

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James tells us God’s Word is like a mirror (James 1:22-25). Mirrors allow us to see ourselves and to make changes based upon what we see. Unfortunately, many youth not only have a hard time seeing themselves in Scripture, but they also see themselves in a lot of other mirrors which may distort the image they see when they are already struggling to discover who they really are.

 

What to do

Discussion

  1. Ask: What are the characteristics of a mirror?
  2. You can divide the youth into groups and have a competition between teams to make the biggest list of charateristics and uses of mirrors, or simply ask the question and write all the answers on a whiteboard or newsprint/ flipcharts.
  3. Then read James 1:22-25 and ask the youth to highlight ways the Bible is like a mirror using the list they have already created.

Take it to the Next Level

 

Make it Spiritual

Here are some thoughts of characteristics and uses of a mirror applied….

  • We look into the mirror to see how we look and make changes – No one looks into a mirror, sees something he needs to change and then just forgets about it.
  • The better the mirror, the better the reflection. A poor quality mirror often introduces distortions. We must be aware of looking at ourselves through the eyes of others, what we have, or titles and positions, but must instead see ourselves as God sees us. Look into the perfect Word instead of the polluted world.
  • Reflective – God’s Word reflects his personality, reflects his attributes, attitudes, and desires. It also shows us how God sees us.
  • Introspective – Through reading God’s Word, we see Him and we see ourselves and the areas of our lives where we don’t measure up to God’s standards
  • The mirror isn’t the light, but only reflects it – We are not to worship God’s word, but the God that it reveals to us. God’s Word reveals the Light to us: a. Christ the light of the world; b. personal enlightenment
  • Shows the outside, not the inside – In contrast, God’s Word and commandments are not for the purpose of making external changes, but internal changes – heart changes.
  • Reflects the sun (son) or light – God’s Word reflects Christ the Son
  • Able to see yourself as others do – Through God’s Word, we discover what God sees in us and what others also see in us
  • If we focus too much we often lose sight of the overall picture – We need to look at the Bible as a whole, not pulling scriptures out of context, and not getting caught up in petty issues, but keeping a balanced Christian life
  • Can get dirty/ collect dust if not used – Many of our Bibles collect dust throughout the week and our knowledge of God’s Word is forgotten
  • A magnifying mirror is clear in the center and fuzzy and distorted on the edges. – We must have our lives centered upon God’s word. When we are away from it others won’t see us as clear reflections of Christ, but they will get a fuzzy image of Christianity.
  • Looking in carnival mirrors give you a distorted image of yourself. – Unless we are looking into the true mirror, God’s Word, we will get a distorted image of ourselves. Also beware of preachers who make you laugh, but never really give you God’s Word or have application to their sermons. They may just be carnival mirror preachers!
  • A mirror can break – Although a mirror can break, God’s word will stand forever.
  • The only thing you usually get from a shattered mirror is a cut hand! – Often, when we have shattered families, or other aspects of our lives are shattered, we get wounded because we use these things as our mirrors instead of God’s Word.
  • You can’t see much in a small mirror – In the same way, you can’t see yourself or God very much in a few Bible verses, but the more of God’s Word you look into, the better you see yourself and God
  • Usually when we look in the mirror, we only see the obvious things – Often when we read God’s word the things that are most obvious are what we realise. Later when we read these again, other things will be made evident to us by the Holy Spirit.
  • There are different types of mirrors for different purposes (Periscopes, Rearview mirrors, etc.) – Different verses in God’s word reveal mistakes that are already behind us, and those that are possible in the future
  • Obstacles in the way of a mirror block out parts of the picture – Obstacles in our lives prevent us from see the whole picture as God sees it.
  • The further you get from a mirror the less detail you see, the closer you get, the more detail you see. – This is the same effect as getting close or farther from God’s Word.
  • Quick glances into the mirror don’t help much. – To really see what needs work, you must spend time in God’s word, focusing and concentrating. A quick reading through the word rarely does us much good.
  • Sometimes it is necessary to look from a different angle to get a better perspective. It is the same with God’s Word. Try approaching scripture from a variety of vantage points.
  • No one ever looks in a mirror just to see the glass – We look into the Bible not to see the Bible, but to see God and ourselves

Have more ideas to share, please email me as I’d love to hear what your groups come up with!  Share in the comments.

Make it Practical
What are some of the things we learn about ourselves from the Bible?

Make it Personal
How should we respond based on the reflection we see?

Scripture

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” – James 1:22-25

Object Lessons

Easter Treasure

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One of the most common Easter activities is the easter Egg Hunt. This creative youth idea isn’t a treasure hunt, but an object lesson related to our pursuit of earthly treasures. Sometimes in the quest to grab all the things we want in life, we fail to remember that when we seek him first, all things will be added unto us.

Resources

  • A large number of coins, preferrable of the same denomination.
  • An opaque Jumbo-sized plastic Easter egg with the letters God written on it but stretched around the egg so that they don’t easily notice it unless it is pointed out to them.
  • A $20 bill placed inside the large plastic egg.
  • A stopwatch

NOTE: This game can also be played as a competition between two teams. Just double up the number of coins and add a second Jumbo-sized Easter egg with the $20 note inside.

What to Do

  1. Ask for a youth to volunteer to play the game.
  2. Scatter the coins across the top of the table.
  3. Tell the volunteer, or if you are doing this as a competition, the team repesentatives that they can keep all the money they are holding until the time ends. But there is a condition they must agree to before they can play the game.
  4. Explain the condition: They can only use ONE hand (Youth can choose to use their left or right hand but not both) All coins must be kept in the hand they start with and they cannot lay down any coins for any reason.
  5. Get the youth to agree to the condition and then add another catch. Since it is near to Easter, they must pick up the coins while holding a plastic Easter egg in in the same hand used to pick up the coins. If anyone asks about the plastic egg, just tell them it is to make it more of a challenge.
  6. Yell out “Go” and start the stopwatch. Don’t worry about the time, but as soon as the egg is dropped by all participants, call time.
  7. Reveal that the word “God” is written on the plastic then open it to reveal the $20 bill.
  8. Of course if they had just held on to God, they would have received more than the small coins collected from the table.

Take It to the Next Level

 

Make it Spiritual

  • Ask the youth what made the game difficult?
  • How is this game similar to life?
  • What are some of the things we try to grab and hold on to in life?
  • How does our pursuit and holding on to these things affect our relationship with God?
  • What are the consequences? What do we miss out on?
  • How does this relate to the words of Jesus “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34)

Make it Practical

Of course, most of the time we don’t consciously let our relationship with God drop. We simply fill our lives with too many other things. Sometimes we are trying to pursue things never realising that he has already promised them to us and they already belong to us.

  • What are some of the things that God promises us?
  • What are some things you have allowed to drop in your spiritual life? Why?
  • How can a person be focused on Christ?

Make it Personal

  • Where is your treasure? What are your treasures?
  • What are some of the things that crowd out Christ in your daily life? How can you make God more a priority?
  • If Jesus told you, “One thing you lack” (like he told the rich young ruler in Luke 18), what would he say to you?

Scripture References

Matthew 6:33 [See Matthew 6:19-34]
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Luke 12:33-34
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Haggai 1:9
“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.

Luke 18:24-25
“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.'”

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Object Lessons

Tough Nuts to Crack

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All of us face tough situations in our lives. We could be having the time of our lives but when bad things happen, the good times are forgotten, and all we can see ahead of us is despair. Christ passed through the gates of Jerusalem triumphantly, people waved palm leaves, cloaks were laid at the feet of the donkey He rode on, the crowds cheered and welcomed Him. Barely a week later, the cheers turned to jeers, it was His cloak that was ripped from Him and it was a whip that greeted Him. This Easter themed object lesson uses a walnut to teach the youth that even in the darkest hour and hopeless situations, something good awaits for those who know the plan of the Master.

Resources

  1. Walnuts, one for each youth
  2. Fine tipped markers, one for each youth
  3. Bibles

What to Do

  1. Give each youth a walnut and a fine tipped marker.
  2. Ask youth to think of some difficult situations Bible Characters faced that turned out for good. They can search their Bibles for more examples. (See Examples Below)
  3. Ask the youth to think of difficult times that could end up working out for good for people today? (e.g. Failing a test might lead a youth studying harder and passing a class)
  4. Then ask the youth to think a situation in their own life where something difficult turned into something good. Once they think of something, have them come up with a word, phrase or symbol that represents that situation.
  5. Ask the youth to write the word of phrase or symbol onto the shell of the walnut.
  6. Ask for volunteers to share the word or phrase with the rest of the youth and a little about what happened.
  7. After the sharing, ask the youth to take their walnuts outside and do whatever it takes to crack open the walnut. (You could also provide a hammer or nut cracker if you wish).
  8. When everyone has cracked the walnuts, ask the youth to collect all the pieces and return to the room. Encourage them to taste and eat the walnuts.

Biblical Examples:

  • Moses: Murder and ran away to desert – Exodus 2:11-22
  • Joseph: Sold into slavery – Genesis 37
  • Daniel: Carried off as a captive to Babylon – Daniel 1
  • Joseph: Accused by Potiphar’s wife – Genesis 39
  • Esther: Forced into a harem for a pagan king – Esther 4:14
  • Jonah: Swallowed by a whale – Jonah 1
  • Paul: Imprisoned in Rome – Philippians 1:12-14

 Take It to the Next Level


  • How did you feel as you crushed the walnut that represented the difficult situation?
  • How is breaking open the walnut and finding something good inside similar to the difficult situations in life – when something good comes out of a bad situation?

Make it Spiritual

  • How is Jesus’ death on the cross similar? (Acts 4:27-28)
  • What good came out of Christ’s death? Resurrection?
  • How is Jesus’ resurrection like tasting the good meat inside the walnut?

Make it Personal

  • What does Christ’s death and resurrection mean to you personally?
  • How has Christ’s death made a difference in your life for good?
  • Psalm 34:8 tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good. How does this relate to the object lesson?

Make it Practical

  • What are some tough situations you’re struggling with?
  • How does Romans 8:28 and the Easter story give you hope and strength to crush these situations in your life?

Scripture References

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
– Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
– Rom 8:28 (NIV)

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
– Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

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Game Ideas, Object Lessons

Valentine’s Day: Held Together

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It’s going to be Valentine’s Day in a couple days, when everyone gets all romantic. While chocolates, flowers and candlelight dinners have their place, it is also a great opportunity to discuss the topic of love. Love isn’t just for romantic relationships, but for our relationships in the family, among fellow Christians, and in our relationship with God. So this week we have a memory game which serves as an object lesson on the topic of love. God so loved the world that he sent his Son (John 3:16) God is love. They shall know that we are Christians by our love. Have a great weekend! Love God with all your heart. Love your neighbour as yourself. So here’s to Love!

Resources

  • A cookie sheet or tray
  • 20 to 25 small objects from the list below.
  • A cloth that will cover the tray
  • Paper and pencil for each player

Objects List

  1. Tape
  2. Glue
  3. Stapler
  4. A bolt
  5. Paper clip
  6. Clothes Pin
  7. Button
  8. Piece of rope or strong
  9. Shoelace
  10. Spiral from a notebook
  11. Skewer
  12. Rubber band
  13. Key ring
  14. Blue tack
  15. Bandage
  16. Padlock
  17. Watch band
  18. Zipper
  19. Velcro
  20. Screw
  21. Thumb Tack
  22. Hinge
  23. Nail
  24. Safety Pin
  25. Straight Pin
  26. Sewing Thread
  27. Snap
  28. Zip Tie or cable tie
  29. Wooden Dowel
  30. Refrigerator magnet

Preparation

Place all the objects on the tray and cover with a cloth to begin.

What to Do

  1. Have the youth sit in a circle where they can all see the tray.
  2. Remove the cloth for 60 seconds, then replace it.
  3. The youth then write down everything they remember seeing on the tray.
  4. The player who remembered the most items wins.

Take It to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual

What do all the objects have in common?

All of the objects are used to hold various things together. We often use tape and glue with paper. Staplers and paper clips also hold pieces of paper together. Bolts come in various sizes and are often used to hold two pieces of metal together. A bandage holds the sides of a cut together to stop bleeding. Even a refrigerator magnet holds paper to the refrigerator.

There is something else that needs to be held together as well and that is people. We need to be close to people. If we are not, life becomes very sad and lonely. We need to be close to our family, to our friends, and to our fellow church people-plus many others. Love holds people together better than anything else: ! Love is the best tape, the best glue, the best staple, the best bolt that you can find to keep you close to people.

There are other things that we sometimes think keep us close to others but they don’t work as well as love. You may think that it’s because you live on the same street that you are friends with a certain person, but if that is all that makes you friends it will be over with the first time you have a serious fight. Sometimes we think we are close friends with someone because we like the same sport or the same games but this usually doesn’t last either. Even living in the same house with your family will not automatically make you close to them. In every case what we really need is love for that person. No matter what you like doing with someone close to you, just remember that to love that person is the most important thing of all. Love will be the tape, the glue, the staple, the bolt that holds us together in unity.

Make it Practical

How can you show love to others this week? For your parents, your valentine, your siblings, your friends. All love finds its source in God. God is love. How can you love more like God loves others this week?

Scripture References

Matthew 22
Luke 10

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
– John 13:34

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
– Colossians 1:17

 


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Object Lessons

Gloves – The hand of God at Work Within Us

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Finding one’s identity, purpose, and meaning in life are common struggles that every youth faces. They are seeking an answer to the question, “Why am I here?” In their search for purpose, they may try to find fulfillment in a variety of things, some good, some bad. But our purpose cannot be found in things. Our identity is found by filling the emptiness in our lives with Christ. When God’s Hand is at work in our lives, only then will we find true meaning and purpose. Gloves are a great object lesson to remind youth of this spiritual truth and a simplified version of this lesson makes a great Children’s Sermon.

GLOVES

Resources

Collect a variety of gloves. Here are some of the possible gloves you could choose from:

  • baseball glove
  • welder’s glove
  • leather gloves
  • Winter gloves or mittens
  • boxing gloves
  • work gloves
  • Surgical gloves
  • Food preparation gloves
  • Kitchen gloves
  • Gardening Gloves
  • Fingerless Gloves
  • White Gloves
  • Cycling Gloves
  • Fur gloves
  • Sequined gloves
  • Goal Keeper’s Gloves
  • Catcher’s Glove
  • Golf Glove
  • Driving Gloves
  • Scuba Gloves
  • Ski Gloves
  • Washing Mitt
  • Wheelchair Gloves

You might also have on hand a variety of items to fill the gloves with. Here are some possibilities: marbles, golf balls, M&Ms, skittles, coins, sand, water, salt, beans, paper clips, sticks, straws, pencils, ice, jello, baby powder, etc. The possibilities are endless. These can be symbolic or simply for fun. Marbles could represent gems, golf balls can represent sports, paper clips – work, M&M’s sweets or desires, coins – wealth, aspirin or beer – drugs, condoms – sex.

You can also add a wacky game to this object lesson by planning to divide the youth into teams and providing a rubber glove for each team.

Preparation

  • Display the gloves in a way that all the youth can see them.
  • Have the items to fill the gloves readily available but hidden from sight. Have them hidden in such a way that you only need to reveal one at a time. Suspense and curiosity are great tools for teaching as the youth will be trying to guess what you will fill the gloves with next.

Wacky Game – Optional

  • Divide the youth into teams and give each team a rubber kitchen glove.
  • The youth must select one team member to put the rubber glove on over his (or her) head and pull it down over their nose and inflate it using air from his nose. Once the glove is filled with air so that it is inflated and stands up on top of the youth’s head, they must run to you while crowing like a rooster.
  • It is not only hilarious, but it is also fun for the youth. If you want to make it last a little longer, have it as a relay race between the teams of youth.

What to Do

  1. Begin by showing the youth the various other types of gloves, and then ask the youth to identify the various types of gloves, the purpose for each, and who might use each of them?
  2. Explain that the empty gloves are like the lives of youth. Both youth and adults try to fill the emptiness in their lives with different things.
  3. Demonstrate by filling the gloves with various objects. As you go through each collection of items, ask the youth, “Is this what the glove is intended to be used for?”
  4. After you go through the items, ask the youth what the emptiness in the glove is supposed to be filled with? Of course the answer is someone’s hand.
  5. Ask the youth, what can the glove do by itself?  Of course the answer is nothing.

Take It to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual

(Note you might share some of the things you tried to fill your life with before you accepted Christ as you share the following information: Every person tries to fill their glove (or life) with different things: like money, sports, drugs, sex, work, food, money, friends, family, or even church to find meaning. While some things are obviously bad, others aren’t necessarily bad things, but simply not what the glove (life) was created for. In fact some of the things are good in the right context, but become bad when they become the primary goal for our existence.

Explain that those things don’t allow the glove to be used the way it was created to be used.

You can use the example of alcohol as something that may seem fulfilling for a while, but in the end leaves you even emptier than before. (You can fill up a specially prepared rubber glove that has been slit at the finger tips so that all the liquid drains out.)

At the very end of your examples, put your hand in the glove, and show how it is now useful and can fulfill its intended purpose. Explain that a glove can do all sorts of things – pick up a book, wave good-bye, scratch my head, play golf, work, pat someone on the back. By itself, it can do nothing. But if I put my hand in the glove… [put it on]… this glove can do almost anything I want.

Different gloves are created with a different intended purpose. But a glove can do nothing once the hand as been removed. It is the same with our lives, in an of ourselves we can do nothing of lasting significance, but with God in us all things become possible.

Blaise Pascal said that we have all been created with a God-shaped vacuum that only he can fill. We will only find true meaning and purpose when we let the hand of God work in our lives to accomplish his will here on earth.

Make it Personal

What are some of the purposes that God has for Christians?

Make it Practical

  • The easiest way to find that purpose, is to yield to God. What is an area of your life that God has been speaking to you about yielding to him?
  • Ask God to use you this week in a way that glorifies him and gives you a clearer understanding of his purpose for your life.

Scripture References

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.”

Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Colossians 1:27
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Philippians 2:13
“for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

2 Corinthians 3:5
“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”

Ephesians 3:19-20
“and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

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Children's Sermon, Object Lessons

Drops of Influence

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Our words can be words of life or words of destruction. This object Lesson for youth reminds us that the words we say have influence beyond just the moment. Also make a great Children’s sermon.

Materials

  • Two clear glasses as nearly alike as possible
  • A Bottle of red and a bottle of black food coloring

Preparation

  • The bottles of food coloring should be covered with white paper
  • On one print the words, “Good Influence”
  • On the other print the words, “Bad Influence”
  • Paste the label “Good Influence” on the bottle with red food coloring
  • Paste the label “Bad Influence” on the bottle with the black food coloring

What to Do

  1. Place the glasses in the center of the room or where the youth can clearly see them.
  2. Fill the glasses nearly full of water.
  3. Have the youth define “influence”
  4. Share the idea that every one has an influence for either good or bad; that we must guard ourselves every moment, for some thoughtless word or act might spoil another’s life.
  5. Share some personal examples of influence you have had for bad and good.
  6. Ask the youth to share some things that could be considered a good influence.
  7. Ask the youth to share some things that could be considered bad influence.
  8. Ask the youth to share some things they have personally done or said that influenced someone else.
  9. Ask “How much influence it takes to make a difference?”
  10. Put one drop of black ink into one of the glasses. The youth will notice with remarkable interest how quickly the color spreads’ and the pure water in the dish is spoiled.
  11. Emphasize how one drop will spread till it spoils the whole and how one little bad act may spread in the heart of another till a whole life is spoiled.
  12. Ask one of the youth to take that drop out of the water; they will tell you it cannot be done. And so with our influence, it cannot be undone.
  13. Put a drop of the red ink in the other glass and the bright color will grow and spread in the same way, and liken this to good influence.

Take it to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual

We can be a positive influence as Christians

  • Youth can be a positive influence on other believers (1 Timothy 4:12)
  • Believers can be a positive influence on youth (Titus 2:6-8)
  • A godly person can be a positive influence an a spouse (1 Peter 3:1-7)
  • A Christian can be a positive influence upon the ungodly (1 Peter 2:11-12, 1 Pet 3:1-2; 2:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10)
  • A Christian can be a positive influence through encouragement (2 Corinthians 9:1-2; Hebrew 10:24-25)

We can be a negative influence as Christians

  • Our sin can negatively influence other Christians to also sin (Galations 2:11-13)
  • Our sin can negatively influence unbelievers to reject God (Romans 2:24; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:5)
  • False teaching can lead others to error (Galatians 5:7-9; 2 Timothy 2:14)
  • Other verses: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; 8:10-13; 2 Timothy 2:16-18

Youth can be a positive influence by sharing the gospel with others (Romans 1:16; Colossians 1:3-6)

  • The gospel has the power to change the mind (Ephesians 4:20-23)
  • The gospel has the power to change our conduct (Ephesians 4:24; 5:8-10)
  • The gospel has the power to change spiritual condition – death to life (2 Timothy 1:10)
  • The gospel has the power to turn darkness into light (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Make it Personal

  • What difficulties do we face in trying to be a positive, Christ-like examples to others? In the home? Church? Workplace? Community, with non Christian friends?
  • If you were the only Christian someone knew, what picture of a Christian would they have? How would they define a Christian? What would they believe about Christians? What would they expect Christians to do and say?
  • How does the answer to these questions above differ from the Biblical idea of what a Christian is supposed to be?

Make it Practical

  • Are there parts of your life that you would not want others to imitate? explain?
  • What will you do to change? Who will you ask to help you?
  • How can you get started this week to be a more positive influence for Christ?

Close by brainstorming ways that youth can be a positive influence this week on their families, friends, and others.

Additional Scriptures

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
– 1 Timothy 4:12

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?”
– 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

“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. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:13-16

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.

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Children's Sermon, Object Lessons, Teaching Illustrations

Heaven’s Mail Room

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An Illustration of Prayer

The angel Gabriel was giving a newly arrived Christian a tour of heaven.  The two of them were walking side by side inside a large mailroom filled with other angels.

Gabriel stopped in front of the first section and said, “This is the Receiving Section.  Here, all the petitions sent to God in prayer are received.”
The Christian saw that the section was a very busy one with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous sheets of paper from all the people of the world.
They resumed walking until they reached the second section.  Gabriel told the Christian, “This is the Packaging and Delivery Section.  Here, the blessings of God in answer to prayers are packed and delivered to the those who are praying on earth.”
The Christian saw how busy it was.  There were a great many angels working in that room because countless blessings were being packed and delivered to earth.
Finally, at the farthest corner of the room, they stopped at the last section.  To the surprise of the Christian, only one angel was there and he was idle.
“This is the Acknowledging Section,” Gabriel told the Christian.
“How is it that no work is being done here?”
“That’s the sad thing,” Gabriel answered.
“After people on earth received the blessings they asked for, very few of them bother to send their acknowledgments.”
“How does one acknowledge God’s blessing?” 
“Simple,” Gabriel answered.  “Just say, ‘Thank you, Lord.'”

Variation – An object Lesson or Children’s Sermon on Prayer

This could easily be converted into a sermon for kids, or an object lesson for youth on “answered prayer.”   Collect a bunch of postcards and write prayers to God on them. “Dear God…  A Prayer… then sign it with a name.  Then in another box have deliveries that match the different requests.  (Note some of the deliveries might be different than the actual request because God provides what we truly need and not what we think we need.)  Finally, have an empty box for the messages of Thanks.  To create a more balanced perspective on prayer, have messages of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (A.C.T.S.) Adoration is simply praise to God for who he is.  Confession is an acknowledgement of sin. Thanksgiving is of course a response to answered prayer and for the blessing of God in life.  Supplications are requests.  Many times we only see prayer as requests. The simplest definition of prayer is “Talking to God” so have lots of messages that are simply conversations with God.  Have only one or two of thanks.  Close by giving the children or youth postcards and asking them to write notes of thanks to God and fill up the last box.

Scriptures for For Famous prayers in the Bible

  • Abraham, for Sodom – Genesis 18:16-33
  • Daniel – Daniel 9:1-19
  • David – 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 17:16-27
  • David’s Confession – Psalms 51:1-17
  • David’s Thanks – 2 Samuel 7:18-29
  • Deborah – Judges 5:1-31
  • Elijah’s at Mount Carmel – I Kings 18:36-39
  • Ezra – Ezra 9:5-15
  • Habakkuk – Habakkuk 3:2-19
  • Hannah – 1 Samuel 1:9-20; 1 Samuel 2:1-10
  • Hezekiah – 2 Kings 19:14-20:3
  • Hezekiah when Sick – Isaiah 38:2-8
  • Hosea – Hosea 6:1-3
  • Jabez – 1 Chronicles 4:10
  • Jacob – Genesis 32:22-32
  • Jehoshophat – 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
  • Jeremiah – Lamentations 3: 21-26
  • Jesus – Matthew 6:5-15: Luke 11:1-13; John 17
  • Job – Job 1:20-21; 3; 42:2-6
  • Jonah – Jonah 2:1-9
  • Jude’s Praise – Jude 1:24-25
  • Moses – Exodus 15:1-18;  33: 12-23; Numbers 14:13-19
  • Nehemiah – Nehemiah 1:4-10
  • Paul – Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11; Collosians 1:9-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, 2:13-17
  • Paul, Knowing God’s Will – Colossians 1:9-12
  • Paul, Partners in Ministry – Philippians 1:3-11
  • Paul, Spiritual Growth – Ephesians 3:14-21
  • Paul, Spiritual Wisdom – Ephesians 1:15-23
  • Solomon, dedication – 1 Kings 3:5-15; 8:14-61
  • Stephen at His Stoning – Acts 7:59-60
  • Tax Collector’s Prayer – Luke 18:13

 

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.

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Children's Sermon, Object Lessons

Burdens and Rest

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A speaker raises a glass of water and asks the audience “How heavy do you think this glass of water is?”

His answer: “It depends on how long you hold it”

  • “If I hold it for a minute, it is Ok.”
  • “If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm”
  • “If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance”

“It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes”

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier.

“What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while holding it up again.”

We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are able to carry on.

When you return home from work, put the burden of work down. Don’t carry it home. You can pick it up
tomorrow. Rest and relax. Take one day at a time!!!!!

Take It to the Next Level

Although from a secular source, the principle behind it is biblical. Thats why Jesus told us to cast our burdens on Him, instructed us to pray Give us our daily bread And even in Psalms 23 though it is not clearly stated, the Shepherd leads His sheep besides green pastures and still waters day to day. We really ought to live one day at a time and really rely on nothing and no one else except on the Faithful Providence of God. He will give us the strength to carry on again.

Don’t borrow from tomorrow’s sunshine for its skies may turn to gray. Tomorrow is not our problem but God’s perfect plan. Therefore if any of us are yoked, are burdened, are held back by problems, dont hesitate to put it down and go to Jesus for
rest. He will give us the strength to carry on again.

Bible Scripture

  • “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22)
  • “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
  • Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Optional Object Lesson, Creative learning Activity, or Sermon for kids (Children’s Sermon)

Bring in several items of equal weight.  Empty plastic milk jugs filled with water or empty 1 liter soft drink bottles work well.  Ask for volunteers among the children or youth to join you in a friendly competition.  Let them pick up the items and ask them if the item is heavy?  You could also ask them to guess the weight.  Most will say that they are not really that heavy.  Then line the students up in a line and tell them they must hold the items straight out from their body at a right angle or 90 degrees. There will be a prize for the teen who can hold it there the longest.  The teenagers may not have considered the items heavy, but the longer they hold them, the heavier the items get.  If you want to add a little discussion to the process, ask the youth to share some of the burdens that people carry in life or share some of the burdens you have experienced for yourself.  Some examples of burdens could be: a hurt you needed to forgive, personal failure, worries, responsibilities, doubts, struggles, lost dreams, mistakes, a poor sense of self worth, abuse, etc.  Burdens are those things that tire us out and that cause us to worry.  Then share the story and talk about the scripture references.

Discussion Questions

  • How can you know if something is a burden?
  • What are some of the burdens youth experience?
  • We do we often carry our burdens instead of setting them down?  Why do we hold on to these burdens?
  • How can we let go of burdens? What are some of the ways we can place these burdens in the care of Jesus?
  • What is the benefit of placing our burdens into the care of Jesus?
  • What is a burden you need to let go of this week? How can you do that? What this give you freedom to experience or do?

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.
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Object Lessons

Growing in Godliness – 2 Peter 1:1-11

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matryoshka dollDescription

This Object Lesson for youth, uses a nested Russian doll to illustrate our growth as Christians.

Materials

A Matryoshka doll (ideally with at least 8 nested dolls)
A Russian Matryoshka doll is a set of hollow wooden dolls which split open into a top and bottom half to reveal additional dolls of decreasing size each placed one inside the other. The outer doll is traditionally a woman, as reflected in the name which means “little matron”. The inner dolls can be male or female. The innermost doll, made from a single piece of wood is typically a baby. While they are smooth rounded wooden carvings, the painting of each doll can be very intricate and often follows a theme.

Scriptural Background

  • Approximate Date: 63-68 A.D. – shortly after 1 Peter. Nero’s persecution began in 64 A.D., and Peter was martyred approximately 67 A.D.
  • Place of Writing: Babylon
  • Three-Fold Purpose: 1) Encourage growth, 2) To correct against false teaching, 3) Promote holy living.
  • Theme and Key Word: Knowledge.
  • Key verse: 3:18 – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Chapter 1 has been labeled “The Bible’s Arithmetic Chapter”

  • Multiplication – “Grace and peace be multiplied to you … ” (1:2)
  • Addition – “Add to your faith … ” (1:5-7)
  • Subtraction – He has been cleansed from his past sins … ” (1:9)

Outline:

  • 2 Peter 1:2-3 God’s Provision – Describes God’s provision and the believer’s enablement
  • 2 Peter 1:5-7 Our Responsibility – Describes our human responsibility of seeing to it that the various Christian virtues are included in our lives.

“The divine nature works at its best efficiency when the believer cooperates with it in not only determining to live a life pleasing to God, but definitely stepping out in faith and living that life.” ~Kenneth Samuel Wuest

Key Lessons

1:5-7 – Peter begins with “for this very reason (because you are a partaker of the divine nature) make every effort (pareisphero)” – that is, “add or contribute on your own part” the necessary actions to confirm your profession of faith by godly living. The verb rendered “add” (epichoregeo – “to supply in copious measure”) is not simply to add one virtue to another. Rather, the meaning is to develop one virtue in the exercise of another, with each new grace springing out of and perfecting, or tempering the other.

  • In the exercise of faith, believers are to generously provide goodness.
  • In the exercise of goodness, believers are to copiously provide knowledge.
  • In the exercise of knowledge, believers are to lavishly provide selfcontrol.
  • In the exercise of self-control, believers are to plentifully provide perseverance.
  • In the exercise of perseverance, believers are to abundantly provide godliness.
  • In the exercise of godliness, believers are to bountifully provide brotherly kindness (philadelphia).
  • In the exercise of brotherly kindness, believers are to generously provide agape love.

1:8-9. Peter’s promise is that those who possess these virtues and build on them will grow spiritually and will not be idle in pressing toward a fuller knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who do not are “spiritually nearsighted”, having forgotten his initial salvation experience.

1:10-11. Verse 10 is the key to this section. The believer will “make his calling and election sure”, that is, he will satisfy himself that he is saved, or confirm his salvation by his godly living. There is some debate of the security of the believer, which some say is objective and cannot be disturbed, and the subjective experience of knowing and feeling you are saved because you are “doing your part” in allowing the Holy Spirit to produce the kind of virtues characteristic of a Christian.

Icebreaker Questions to Stimulate Discussion

  • What did you want to be when you grew up?
  • What are your current dreams for the future? What kind of person do you want to be? How do you want your life to be remembered by others?
  • What are some of the qualities you admire in others? Other youth? Parents? Adults? Leaders? Famous people?
  • If you had a magic lamp with a genie and he could grant you three personal qualities, what would you wish for?

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11

In 2 Peter 1 Chapter 1, Peter talks about our growth as Christians. This growth begins with faith and culminates in love. Like the innermost Matryoshka doll we begin as babes in Christ. We are spiritually born again through saving faith in Christ. But to live life forever as a baby would be a tragedy. Peter says that if we fail to grow, it is akin to being nearsighted and blind and forgetting that our sins have been forgiven.

This list of qualities are things that are added to our godly character as we grow in Christ. Each new quality does not replace the one before it, but adds to it. These are not things that we possess then give up, as a child outgrows old clothes. These qualities are not marks on a growth chart, but things that we hold inside our hearts and that we carry forward with us as we continue to mature in Christ.

Here’s the list:

  1. faith
  2. goodness
  3. knowledge
  4. self-control
  5. perseverance
  6. godliness
  7. brotherly kindness
  8. love

NOTE: As you mention each quality, add a new shell to the inner doll so that it continues to grow in size. “As we add each one, we become more effective and productive. ”

Take it to the Next Level

Questions for discussion

  • How do you define each quality/ characteristic?
  • How does each character quality relate to the one before it?
  • Why is each quality important to living a godly life as a youth?
  • For each of these qualities, what would the effect be if a Christian youth was missing that quality in his or her life?
  • What are some of the possible ways that each quality would be expressed in the way a youth lives his or her life? Are these qualities something we possess or something that we do?
  • For each quality, what are some things youth can do or practice the make that quality part of who they personally are?
  • As we grow in Christ, there is always a combined effort with God, to live the Christian life. We have to make decisions and choose to act, but God empowers us, guides us, and provides for us. What are the things that God does for us according to this passage?
    1. Gave us faith through Christ (2 Peter 1:1)
    2. Grace, Peace and Knowledge of God and Christ (2 Peter 1:2)
    3. Everything we need for life and godliness (through his divine power) (2 Peter 1:3)
    4. Called us (2 Peter 1:3)
    5. Knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:3)
    6. An example – God’s Glory and Goodness (2 Peter 1:3)
    7. Precious Promises (2 Peter 1:4)
  • What are some of the promises of God that might help youth to grow in each of these qualities?
  • How do the actions of God listed in this passage apply to each of these qualities that we grow into as Christians? How do they help us to live life as a youth to reflect these character traits?
  • Why has God given us all these things?
    1. To participate in the divine nature (becoming Christlike) (2 Peter 1:4)
    2. To Escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires (2 Peter 1:4)
    3. To be effective and productive in our walk (2 Peter 1:8)
    4. To reinforce our faith (2 Peter 1:10) so that we are secure in faith – know that have been saved.
    5. So that we will not fail (2 Peter 1:10)
    6. To be richly welcomed into heaven (2 Peter 1:11)

Application to Youth

  1. What are some ways you can practice these as a youth?
  2. When you look at this list of qualities, which ones do you possess and practice most? Which are most lacking in your life? Which do you find most difficult?
  3. What are some ways you can express these qualities this week as you encounter others at school, at home, or in church?
  4. How do these qualities prevent us from being in effective and unproductive?
  5. How can those in the youth group support each other and encourage one another toward growth in these areas?
  6. What can the youth ministry and parents do to help you to grow?
  7. If you were to have all these godly qualities in increasing measure, how would it effect your life, your testimony, your actions?
  8. What are the benefits of pursuing godliness?

Closing Prayer
Go through each of the qualties in prayer with God. Ask him to reveal the truth about these qualities in your own life. Ask him to make clear opportunities to express your faith to through these qualities as a living testimony to Christ.

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…