Materials
You’ll need a Bible and five large bags of candy.

Activity
Take five students away from the rest of the group, and explain to them how the game works. For smaller classes you might have only two or three assistants. Be sure that the other kids cannot hear your instructions to the five. Tell each of them you are going to give them bags of candy to share with the other students. There’s only one catch: They can give candy only to the boys, or only to the girls, or only to kids with black tennis shoes. (The idea is to pick something that will eliminate at least half of the kids.) Remind kids not to tell the others why some kids are getting candy and others aren’t. Warn kids to only give candy to those in the designated group, even if the other kids beg.

After giving the first five their instructions, tell the rest of the group: In a moment, I’m going to let the five kids back into the room. When they come in, they’ll have some candy to share. You can ask, bribe, and beg them for it, but do not take it from them. You may or may not get some candy. If you figure out what the requirement is for getting candy, you’ll be entitled to a double portion.

Call the first five kids back into the room. Allow them time to circulate through the group handing out candy to the chosen few. When they have completed their task, you can play the game again if you wish, picking five new kids to pass out cancly. During this round, pick a ciifferent category of kids to give candy to. For example, you may choose those who have buttons on their shirts, those who are wearing white T-shirts, or those with long sleeves, etc.

Debrief
* What was it like to be one who received candy?
* What was it like to be left out or passed over?
* Did anyone figure out why he or she did not get candy?
* Are you nicer to some people because of the way they look, or do you ignore others because they appear to be different?
* What makes you treat some people differently than others?
* Do others treat you different because you are a Christian?
* Do others treat you badly, or make fun of you as a Christian?
* How can today’s passage help you dela with times of persecution?

Application
Finish by passing out candy to everyone! Explain that while the world may persecute us and leave us out because of our Christianity, Christ promises a reward to all Christians. We can take Heart, because Christ has overcome the world.

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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Materials
Several sheets of paper or newsprint for each student. Tape

Activity
Ask students to write one thing they are troubled about on each sheet of paper. They can also write something that concerns them, worries them, or gives them difficulty. They might write “grades,” “family,” or “friends.” Anything that upsets or discourages them is acceptable. Tell them to NOT put their name on the paper or share it with anyone else. This is strictly between them and God.

While kids are writing, tape a line down the middle of the floor.

When each person has at least three to five things written, each on a separate page, have kids wad their pages up into a ball. Form two equal teams of participants. Have the teams face each other standing on opposite sides and approximately three feet (1 meter) from the tape line. If you have more than twenty kids, you might want to consider forming additional teams.

On your signal, they must throw all of their troubles onto the other team’s side while trying to keep that teams concerns off your side. The object is to get as many concerns as possible on the other team’s side before the time is up. Give them about 1 minute.

Part 2
When the time is up, put a large trash can in the middle of the room. This time, give them thirty seconds to work together to get all of the concerns into the trash can.

Debrief
1. How was the way you treated your troubles in this game like or unlike the way kids really treat their troubles?
2. What happened when you dumped your troubles on each other?
3. What thoughts go through your mind when your friends dump troubles and problems on you?
4. What do you think about dumping your troubles on Christ?
5. How can you help your friends bring their troubles to Christ?
6. What are your thoughts about how Christ can help you with your troubles?
7. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus has overcome the world?

Application
Gather around the trash can and ask for several people to pray that group members will be able to let go of their troubles. If you have a dumpster, you may hold a ceremonial trash dumping after the prayer.

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…

Materials
Various Fishing Lures/bait for different types of fish, fishing pole or net (no hooks for safety’s sake.)

Activity
A fishing line by itself won’t catch fish. Even a hook by itself isn’t going to ctach fish. Have youth try to identify the hook/bait to catch different types of fish. The youth that correctly matches the most lures with the fish they would attract is awarded a prize.

Debrief
Have a fishing expert select some of the common fishing lures and explain how each is used. Some lures sink to the bottom where catfish and bottom dwelling fish can be found. Others such as a fly float on the surface. Some move through the water and have spinning parts and reflectors to attract the fish. Some look like worms while others look like shrimp or other live creatures the fish like to eat. Some people may not use lures but instead use live bait. Ask the fisherman to display and describe important equipment used in fishing such as fishing rods, waders, floats, weights, and hooks. After the fishing tour and demonstration have youth read Matthew 4:17-22 and then ask:
1) How is telling others about Jesus similar to fishing?
2) Fishing lures are created to be attractive to fish. How can you make the good news about Jesus attractive to your friends?

Application
Jesus said in Matthew 4:19, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men.” He was sending His disciples out to fish for men, rather than fish. Jesus wants each of us to go fishing with Him every day of our lives. We are to fish for people to bring to the Lord. We are to tell them how Jesus loved them so much that He died on the cross to forgive their sins. We must tell people how they can invite Jesus into their hearts to become their Savior. That way, we become fishers of men and helpers of Christ.

Closing
As a possible closing gesture, give each youth a fishing lure (in which the hooks have been removed for safety) and tape them to a card with a key phrase from the passage.

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…