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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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

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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Creative Teaching Ideas

The Fear of Failure

September 11, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

One of the key issues that everyone faces in life is the “fear of failure”. We all face this fear when we are forced to step out from what is familiar to us and try something new. This creative Bible Study lesson for youth begins with a taste test and then looks at the very real example of Moses when God called him to serve him in Egypt.

What you need

Blindfolds for each youth
Various unusual foods cut into small pieces and placed in separate bowls (You’ll want unusual textures and flavors)

Here are some you might consider:

90% chocolate, anchovies, any herb or spice, avocado, beef jerky, black liquorice, bitter gourd, black olive, brussel sprouts, candied ginger, candy sprinkles, carrot, celery, century egg, dried fruits, graham cracker, green olive, green olives, green pepper, herring, jelly, jelly beans, jicama, kiwi, kohlrabi, lima beans, m&m’s, mango, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, melba toast, pear, peeled grapes, peppercorns, pickles, pig skin, pineapple, pomegranate, popcorn, raw potato, prawn crackers, prunes, radish, raisins, raw onion, reese’s peanut butter cup, rhubarb, rice cakes, skittles, sliced ginger, sauerkraut, sweet potato, tomato, vanilla wafers, vegemite, wasabe snacks, water chestnut

What to do

Seat the youth, blindfolded, in a circle of chairs.
Explain that you are going to pass around various bowls of food and youth are to take a small piece of food from the bowl, eat it and then pass the bowl on to the next person.
The youth are not allowed to say anything that might reveal the contents to others.
After everyone has had a chance to taste all the foods, display and identify the various foods that were in the bowls.

Debrief

How did you feel doing this taste test?
What were some of the thoughts that went through your head?
What fears and worries did you have? What were some of the risks?
How many of you tasted something good? How many of you tried something that tasted bad to you?
How do you feel when someone forces you to try something new?

Take it to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual

Read Exodus 3:7-4:6
Why did moses make so many excuses?
What were the fears that Moses had?
At the root of these things was the “Fear of failure.” How did God help Moses over come each of his fears?
Do we still have these same fears today when asked to try something new?

Make it Practical

What excuses do you make when asked to try something that is new to you?
What are some of your fears today?
What are some of the things you are afraid of trying? Doing?
Someone has said that “courage is the absence of fear, but doing the very thing you fear.” What does that mean for you?
How can God’s responses to Moses help us in facing our own fears?

Make it Personal
Someone said it this way, I would rather attempt to do something great for God and fail, than to plan to do nothing and succeed.

What is God asking you to do today that you are afraid of doing?
Stepping out in faith, what are some God honoring risks you can take this week?
What is something you need to trust God for in your life this week?
What is something you have been putting off in fear that God has called you to do?
Pray for God to replace the fear with faith and help you to take action this week? “God, I’m going to trust You in this area!”

SUMMARY
We face a lot of different fears in life. One of the most common fears is this fear of failure. No one wants to fail. We don’t want to fail our family, our friends, ourselves, and God. God almost always ask us to do things that are beyond our comfort zone, that force us to trust Him. Like Moses, one of the first things people do when they fear failure is to make excuses to why they can not do something. But God is with us. He will teach us. He has made us who we are. He is our strength. And he will take us through to the end. You can’t play it safe and please God. If you are controlled by your fears, you will miss many of God’s blessings in your life.

Additional Scripture

Psalm 27:1, 3, 5 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.”

Psalm 91:2-4 “I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust!’ For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”

Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Psalm 119:103-104 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”

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Icebreakers

“Ice” Breakers and Forgiveness

September 3, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Below is a collection of youth icebreaker games using ice cubes. The primary game leads into a discussion on mistakes and forgiveness.

Optional Ice Games

Ice Sculptures
Make a lot of icecubes using standard ice cube trays. (Note: If you Use hot water you get clearer ice cubes.) If you sprinkle them with salt the youth can stick them together to create ice sculptures of people and other fun shapes.

Ice Cube Musical Chairs
Play musical chairs with a large block of ice. Teams of youth pass the ice while the music plays and whoever is holding the ice when the music stops is eliminated from the game. As a variation, give those eliminated a small ice cube. If any youth who was eliminated can use their hands to get the ice to melt before the game finishes they can join back into the game.

Ice Melt
In this game the objective is to melt the ice cubes given as quickly as possible. Teams may only use their hands to melt the ice. The first team to melt all the given ice cubes wins.

Ice Melt II
In this game, the objective is for the youth to fill a glass with water to the top using only the dropping water from melted ice. Again they may only use their hands to melt the ice. Only one ice cube can be melted at a time.

T-Shirt Melt
Freeze a large soaked cotton t-shirt for each youth team in a zip lock baggie. Ring it out just a little so there is enough water for it to freeze solid, but not enough so that it is inside large block of ice. Scrunch up the t-shirt rather than fold it. Remove the t-shirts from the freezer 15-20 minutes before the game to let them thaw just a bit. Team members must somehow thaw the t-shirt using only their hands and bodies until they can open it up and on team member puts it on and wears it. No liquids or sharp objects are allowed to be used. (Note: Try this once for yourself. It can take quite some time to thaw the shirt enough to wear it, depending on the weather and the amount of water in the shirt)

Primary Game

Ice Pass

What you need

You’ll need two buckets or large containers and two ice cube trays worth of ice for each team.
Teams then form lines and race to pass all the ice cubes from the front bucket to the back bucket for each team.

Rules of the game

Team members must always look forward at all times and cannot look back, even for a moment.
Each youth in the line must pass the ice cubes one at a time over his or her back to the person immediately behind them in line.
If an ice cube is dropped, it must be passed forward, one person at a time under the legs of the person in front until it reaches the beginning of the line. It then is passed back as per the normal rules.

Debrief
Award the winning team then ask the losing teams the following questions:

What happened during the game?
What were the difficulties encountered?
What could you do differently to be more successful if you played again?
If you personally dropped the ice how did you feel? How did you feel toward your team? How did you respond?
If someone on your team dropped the ice, how did you honestly feel toward them? How did you respond when someone dropped the ice?

Take it to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual
Read Matthew 18:21-35

Are some mistakes easier to forgive than others? Explain?
Why is it sometimes difficult to forgive others?
What can we learn about forgiveness from this parable and the response of Jesus to Peter?

Make it Practical

What lessons can we learn from this activity as a group of believers, as the body of Christ?
In what ways do your actions affect others, either positively or negatively?
How do mistakes and setbacks affect others?
How do we recover?
How does forgiveness fit in?

Make it Personal

What do you find it personally, hardest to forgive?
What are some ways you can be more forgiving?

Scripture

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'” – Matthew 18:21-22

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.

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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.”

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Game Ideas

Flee Sin, Pursue God – Rock, Scissors, Paper – Tag

August 20, 2013 kensapp Leave a comment

Most youth have played the game “Rock, Scissors, Paper”. This well known game serves as an introduction to 2 Timothy 2:22 and what the Bible teaches about fleeing from sin and pursuing godliness.

What You Need

This activity requires a large empty room or two well defined boundary lines. It is idea for a gym, an outdoor basketball court, or even a large field.

What to Do

In the standard version of “rock, paper, scissors”, two youth face each other, count to three and then put their hand into one of three positions:

A clenched fist represents a rock.
A flat hand represents paper.
The index and middle finger outstretched and separated like a pair of scissors represents scissors.

The winner is determined by the following system:

Rock smashes scissors.
Scissors cover paper.
Paper covers rock.

How to play

For this activity the same rules apply but instead of two youth facing each other, it is two teams.
Each team chooses a leader who will choose rock, paper, or scissors for the entire team.
Once chosen, the teams face off across the center of the room, field or court.
Count one, two three and everyone shows their hands according to the leader’s choice.
The winning team chases the other team back to the wall, or boundary line, attempting to tag as many members as possible.
Any youth tagged before reach the safety zone or before touching the wall, becomes a member of the winning team.
If the two teams make the same choice, both teams retreat to the wall and no one is tagged.
The process is then repeated, with leaders making a choice, lining up along the center, then everyone revealing the choice made by their leader.
Usually, you can play several round or for a certain amount of time.

Take it to the Next Level

DEBRIEF

In this game, there are times you need to flee and time you need to pursue.

What are some things in life that people flee from? Why?
What are some things in life that people pursue? Why?

MAKE IT SPIRITUAL

Read 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Timothy 6:6-11; Matthew 6:1; 2 Peter 1:3; Eph. 5:15-17

MAKE IT PRACTICAL

What was Timothy encouraged to flee from?
What was Timothy encouraged to pursue?
What are some of the evil desires of youth?
How do our pursuits affect us for good or bad?

MAKE IT PERSONAL

What are some things you need be more determined to flee this week?
What are some godly characteristics you need to pursue this week?

Scriptures

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” – Ephesians 5:15-17

Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

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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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Creative Scavenger Hunts: Once Lost, Now Found

is a 160 page e-book that explains everything you need to know to easily plan your very own scavenger hunt: Item Lists, Rules, Riddles, Safety Tips, Guidelines, Scoring, Tips for Facilitators and MORE! There are more than 50 complete ideas (scavenger hunts, photo hunts, video hunts, amazing race, etc.) to use at home, around the neighborhood, at the mall, in the park, on the beach, at church, and around town!

=> Tell me more about the Creative Scavenger Hunts

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.”

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

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Youth Worship

P.R.A.Y. – Praise and Thanksgiving, Repentance, Asking for Others, Yourself

July 30, 2013 kensapp 2 Comments

Getting the youth to pray for an extended period of time can be a struggle. Try this guided prayer meeting guide for youth to get them to see prayer from a different perspective.

P – Praise and Thanksgiving
R – Repentence
A – Asking for Others
Y – Yourself

Praise and thanksgiving

Praise – Worship God for who he is and thanking him for all he has done for us

“Praise Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”-Psalm 150:6

1. Read the following Scripture and praise God for the things you discover about him in this Scripture:

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 “David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

2. The last seven psalms in the Bible (Psalms 144-150) are all psalms of praise to God. Read through Psalm 145 and spend time praising God for the same reasons the psalmist did.

Thanksgiving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. -Psalm 100:4

1. Make a “Things I’m Thankful For” list. On it list as many things as you can think of that you are thankful for. Suggestions to get you started: (Jesus’ love, A home, Education, Family, youth group, Opportunities, Food, Health, God’s forgiveness, Friends, The Bible, etc.)

2. Once your list is completed, talk to God and tell him how thankful you are for each of the things on the list.

3. Spend time in silence listening to God and letting him show you things you have to praise him for and things you have to be thankful for.

Repentance

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

1. Read Psalm 51. King David wrote this prayer to God after he had been convicted of his sin of adultery. As you read the Psalm, you can almost feel David’s broken heart and understand God’s loving forgiveness.

2. Spend time praying and asking God to show you the things in your life that are not in line with his will for your life. Make a list of the things he shows you.

3. Now go through each item on your list and ask God to forgive you and help you have the desire and strength to overcome them.

4. Spend time in silence listening to God. Let him speak to your heart and tell you how much he loves you and forgives you. As you listen accept his forgiveness and feel his cleansing.

Psalm 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Asking for others – Interceding or praying for other people and their needs

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. – James 5:16

1. If it’s helpful, you can use this graphic reminder to pray for the things that come to your heart for each of the following groups of people:

When you look at your hand, the closest finger (although it isn’t technically a finger) is our thumb. When you pray, let your thumb remind you to pray for the people who are closest to you.

Your pointer finger should remind you to pray for the people who point the way for you. This could be your pastors, Sunday School Teachers, or others who try to point you in the right direction.

Let the middle finger, the tallest finger, represent those who are over you in leadership positions. These would be the governmental leaders, and your country.

Your ring finger is the weakest finger you have, and it should remind you to pray for those you know who are weak or in need. This could include people you know who are sick, going through family struggles, having financial problems, etc.

Your little finger represents yourself. When you come to the time in your prayers each day when you are praying for people, let the fingers on your hand remind you of all the people you need to pray for.

Now spend sometime praying for each of these groups of people. You’ll deal with your personal needs during the next part of prayer meeting.

Yourself

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.” -Philippians 4:6-7 (Living Bible)

1. Begin by writing out a Worry List below. It should be a list of everything that you are currently worried about or things that are bugging you. Every concern you have in the world should be listed here:

2. Once you have made your list, read it over and divide the items into two separate categories.

In Category 1 include the items you can do something about. Beside each item in this category, write down what you can do. This first category of worries now becomes a “To -do” list that you can take home and begin to work on. Ask God to give you the strength and wisdom to do the things you know you need to do.

In Category 2 include items you can do nothing about. These things are completely out of your control. This second category of worries now becomes your Personal prayer list. Spend time talking with God about each item on the list. Tell him about your needs and leave them with him.

Personal prayer List

3. Spend time in silence listening to God. Let him teach you what steps you can take to deal with the items on your To-do list and give you a sense of peace about the items on your Personal prayer list that you can do nothing about.

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?

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

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