Aim:

1.) To show a lost child that "a walk" without Jesus cannot take him to heaven. 2.) To show a saved child that he should confess his sin daily to keep his "walk" with the Lord clean, and that sin never leaves a Christian a better person.

Scripture:

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

I John 1:7.9 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Materials:

Two new pairs of white socks; one pair of black socks; one pair of old, gray, stained, possibly holey (but clean) white socks; and a pan or box of very wet and sloppy dirt.

LESSON

Today, boys and girls, we are going to talk about how a person's heart and life is like a pair of socks. Most everyone likes socks that are clean and white and that is the way that our hearts and lives should be, but the Bible says that lost boys and girls have dark, sinful hearts. That means that they can't walk with the Lord and that their socks are black. (Teacher, put the black socks on your hands and hold them up.) Every day these boys and girls sin more and more. (Walk your hands through the mud to make the socks dirty and hold them up.) Their socks get dirtier and dirtier. But even if these socks were washed they would still be black. Some boys and girls try very hard to be good but that cannot change their dark, sinful hearts, and they cannot go to heaven. The Bible says (Read Romans 3:23.)

Now when a boy or girl realizes that his heart is sinful he can ask Jesus to wash his sins away, come into his heart. and save his soul. The Bible says (Read I John 1:7.) Now, he will go to heaven and he can walk with the Lord. (Replace the black socks with new, white socks and hold up your hands.) His heart is washed clean and white, and his walk, also, starts out clean and white.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Unfortunately, even Christians sin during their daily walk through life. Maybe you were disobedient to your parents, or fought with your brother or sister. (Walk your hands through the mud to make the socks dirty and hold them up.) Ugh! These socks are dirty! Would you like to dry them out and put them back on tomorrow morning? Well. a lot of you Christians do just that. (Walk your hands through the mud again, getting the other side muddy.) Remember, these socks are your walk with the Lord, and the dirt is your sin. Even though Christians have white hearts and are on their way to heaven, they still sin every day. If you don't confess your sins it is just like putting on dirty socks each morning. The Bible says that Jesus wants to wash your daily sins, too, so that your walk can match your heart. (Read I John 1:9)

When a Christian sins he should ask the Lord to forgive him and to help him not to sin again. Tell the Lord you are sorry just as soon as possible, so your walk with him will be clean. (Replace the dirty white socks with the clean, but stained white socks and hold them up.) Uh oh! They don't look quite as nice as they used to, do they? Even though Jesus will wash the sins of your daily walk, your sins will still hurt you, just like dirt stains white socks. The less you sin the better Christian life you will lead and the more the Lord will be able to use you in his service.

Now, when you get to heaven your socks won't even be gray and stained anymore. (Replace the stained socks with the other pair of new white socks and hold them up.) Your walk will stay as white as your heart. No one sins in heaven and you will never sin again! That's a wonderful thought! (Remove socks.)

Now, some of you Christians may be wearing very muddy white socks. Would any of you bow your heads right now and ask the Lord to forgive you for your sinful walk with him and ask him to help you not to sin as much? And maybe some of you boys and girls cannot walk with the Lord at all because your dark heart has never been washed of its sin. Wouldn't you like to have Jesus wash away yours sins so you can go to heaven? (Give an invitation for Christians to ask forgiveness and the lost to be saved. Be sure you know why a child is coming forward before you deal with him.)

A TEST FOR YOUR TESTIMONY

Aim:

To show children that other people see their lives and that it is important for them to have strong testimonies.

Scripture:

Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Materials:

Writing instruments listed below (or something similar to those.)

There are several other object lessons using pencils. This is a variation on those. Using several different types if writing instruments and a white poster-board to write on, discuss with the children the different kinds of testimonies a Christian might have. One at a time write the word 'testimony' on the board using a different instrument each time. These are suggested.

regular ink pen - Most Christians have an average testimony, but we should strive to be even better than average.

crayon - This is the testimony of a new "baby" Christian. He may be unsure about some things, but he is still learning, and eager and excited

squiggley pen (the kind that needs batteries and makes your writing very wobbly) - This person has as unsure testimony, people can't be sure if he's really a Christian because his behavior is sometimes not what it should be. One's testimony should match one's behavior.

white chalk (can't be seen even though it's there) This person is saved but no one knows it but he and the Lord. Maybe he does not want to live right.

bold red marker - This person is leading a stand up, bold, victorious Christian life. No one could doubt his stand or his sincerity.

mechanical pencil (with no lead) - This person is living a completely, defeated Christian life. People know he's saved but he doesn't look it. Getting right can give him a good testimony again. (Reinsert lead into the BIC pencil to write "testimony" on the poster board.)

lipstick - This represents a self-centered Christian who puts himself first before the Lord and others. He is more concerned about worldly and carnal things than things of the Lord.

multipointed pen or pencil with different colors - This is a Christian who works for the Lord whenever and wherever he can in many different ways.

yellow marker - This Christian is a coward. He is afraid to speak for God

regular wooden pencil with a broken point - This is an unhappy Christian because of sorrow or circumstances. Getting close to the Lord can sharpen that testimony and make a useful Christian (resharpen the pencil and write "testimony.")

pen or pencil flashlight that looks just like a pen but isn't made to write - This person may look like a Christian but he's not made for writing and has no real testimony at all. He needs to be saved.

At this point I give an invitation for children to be saved or to get their testimonies straightened out.

WHAT CAN WASH AWAY MY SIN?

Aim: To teach that nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash away sins.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Materials: White poster-board; yellow, orange, and pink markers; enough red cellophane to cover the posterboard. (You can get the cellophane from a craft store or florist shop.)

This object lesson demonstrates that the blood of Christ can cleanse any sin. Before doing the lesson, write a word on white paper with each marker you want to use. Place the cellophane over the words to be sure that they cannot be seen through it. You may have to experiment with different markers. Some of the darker ones may still be able to be seen through the cellophane.

For the lesson place the posterboard on an easle with something supporting it (like a flannelgraph board behind it). The support will make it easier to write on. Ask the boys and girls to tell you specific sins that people committ and write them on the board with the markers. Let the boys and girls tell you as many as you can get on the board. When it is full go back and pick a few to discuss. For instance for 'stealing' ask the class: "Could you forgive someone who stole the money you had worked all summer to save for your mother's birthday present?" Let them respond and say something like: "That would be hard for me to forgive because I would be very angry." Pick out other sins to discuss in this manner. With older children sins like 'murder.' or 'arson' might be discussed. The point is to try to get the children to agree that there are some sins that are very hard for us to forgive.

Now ask the class if God would forg:ive some of those very bad sins. Even in the most knowledgable class there will probably be some child who will say he will not. Then say "What does God say in his word?" Open your Bible and read I John l:7b "The blood of Jesus Christ his (God's) Son cleanseth us from all sin." Ask the class "What sins will the blood of Christ cleanse?" Repeat the question so they can answer 'all' in unison. Now take the red cellophane and place it over the posterboard. The children will be absolutely fascinated that they cannot see the written sins. Let them all come up close and quietly look. After they've returned to their seats give an invitation for salvation for those children who have never had Jesus 'wash their sins away.'

"FREE" ALWAYS COSTS SOMETHING

Aim: To show children that the world lies when they say something is "free." and that the only truly free thing is salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Materials: Find "Free gift offers" from various places. Here are some examples: for gifts in cereal boxes you had to BUY the cereal; for gift 'offers' you have to PAY postage and handling; free products (like children's books) that are sent with OTHER products that must be PAID for; restaurants where kids eat free if adults PAY: free car washes for DONATIONS; a BUY one get one free sale or coupon. There are many other possibilities.

LESSON

Boys and girls, today we are going to talk about "free gifts." The dictionary says that the word "free" means "without charge." That means you don't get 'charged' for it. It doesn't cost you anything. You don't have to get out your wallet or break into your piggy bank.

Raise your hand if you have ever received a gift for your birthday or for Christmas or for some other reason? It is always nice to receive a gift. isn't it. Tell me, when you got your gift did you pay for it? Did you work for it by raking the yard or baby-sitting or some other job? Did you steal it? No, you can't pay for a gift, or work for a gift. or steal a gift. If you did any of those things then it isn't a gift anymore. The dictionary says that a gift is something given "without charge" - a gift is free.

Now, many times you will see the word "free" in stores and advertisements. The world always wants you to think that it is out to help you and do something for you. The Bible says that the world hates Christians. John 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. The only thing it wants from a Christian is his money. These supposedly free offers will show you that.

Here on the back of this cereal box is a hugh picture of a delicious ice cream sundae with great big words "GET ONE FREE!" (Hold up the box pointing our the picture and the words.) That sounds like a fabulous idea. doesn't it? But is the sundae truly free? The box says that first, before you get a 'free' sundae that you must BUY a sundae. Now. remember, "free" means "without charge." You couldn't take this coupon to the ice cream store and say give me the 'free' sundae. Oh. no. The man behind the counter would say that first you would have to BUY another one. That means that the second sundae is NOT 'free' no matter how they advertise. In order for you to get that 'free' sundae there was a 'charge.' They wanted your MONEY!

Now let's look at another offer on the back of a cereal box. Here is a coupon for a 'free' candy bar! (Hold up the box and pint to the coupon.) Chocolate and nuts! Yummy! And the coupon says that I don't even have to buy another bar first! That makes it 'free', right? (Let the children respond.)

Well. I'm afraid that this candy bar is not truly 'free' either. How did I get the coupon? I had to BUY the box of cereal! Money came out of my wallet to buy the cereal with the 'free' coupon. I actually BOUGHT the 'free' candy bar coupon! That means it really wasn't free after all. Did you think you were getting a deal? It's not FREE if you have to buy it!

All right, girls, here's one just for you. Here is an offer that came in the mail for this beautiful ring. (Hold up the advertisement so they can see it.) See this big "FREE" written up in the corner. What does it say on the inside? In here it says that you have to PAY tax, postage, and handling. That comes to a total of $4.27. Now that may seem like a good price for this pretty ring, but the people that sent this offer LIED! If the ring was truly free then THEY would have paid the tax, and postage, and handling for you. Instead, YOU must pay. The ring is NOT free. Not only that, it also says that they will send you a matching necklace. The cost of that is $49.95 PLUS tax postage, and handling again! It's a good, thing I read all of this. I might have thought I was getting something for free! It would have cost me a lot of money!!

Boys and girls, NOTHING this world offers is truly free. The world wants your money, and your time, and your support for its products and activities. All these things are designed for you to think about the world and forget about God. and he is the one who truly cares for you. And he is the only one with a truly FREE offer. The Bible says (Read Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8.) Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ won't cost you anything. Jesus asks each boy and girl, each man and woman, if he can come into their hearts to wash their sins away. For anyone who says "Yes" he comes right in - salvation is a truly FREE GIFT! Have YOU ever accepted Jesus' gift of salvation? (Give an invitation for lost children to be saved.)

THREE IN ONE

Aim: To help children understand how the Godhead is a Trinity by demonstrating how water is one substance that can be in three different forms.

Scripture: 1 John 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Materials: One quart jar with label removed, small pitcher of room temperature water, a dozen ice cubes in a small insulated carrier, a small towel for wiping spills.

LESSON

The Bible tells us that God is three in one. We call this the Trinity. (Read I John 5:7.) In this verse Jesus is called the Word as he is in the gospel of John. (Read John 1:1) John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. If your name is William you might be called Bill. Jesus is sometimes called the Word in the Bible, and he is one part of the three in one God. The Father is God, Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit (or Ghost) is God.

Now, how can three be one? That might seem hard to understand but God gave us a wonderful example that we all can see. This example will help us to understand how ONE God can have three separate ways of showing himself.

(Bring out the jar where the class can see it and ask the following question.) Does anyone here know what H2O is? (Give the children a chance to respond.) H2O is what scientists call water. Today we are going to look very closely at H2O to learn about God. Now, what is H2O again? Yes. it is water. (Bring out the pitcher with the water.) I am going to pour some water into this jar, but before I do I need a volunteer to come up and examine the jar closely. (Choose a volunteer and ask the following questions.) Is the jar dry on the inside and outside? (Yes.) Are there any cracks or holes in the jar? (No.) All right, now I am going to pour water, oops, I mean H2O, into this jar till it is just half full. (Pour the water, thoroughly dry spills and ask vour volunteer the following question.) Is the outside of the jar still dry? (Yes.) Are you sure there are no holes or cracks? (Yes. I'm sure.) Thank you, (volunteer's name), you may sit down.

Now, remember we are going to use H2O to show how God is three in one. This liquid water is ONE way H2O can be. Can anyone tell me another way? (Let children respond.) Yes, liquid water, H2O, can be frozen to make ice! (Hold up an ice cube.) This water in the jar can be frozen to make ice and this ice cube can be melted to make liquid water. Both the liquid water and the ice cube are H2O.

All right, that is TWO parts of the way H2O can be, but God is THREE in one. Does H20 have another way to be that we haven't mentioned yet? (You will probably not get the third form from the children.) Did you know that there is water all around us in this room? Look around, do you see H2O in the air? (No.) You don't!! Well, in all honesty I can't see it either, but I know it's there. It is invisible!!!

Have you ever watched water boiling on the stove? If it's in a pan or teakettle you see 'steam' rise up like a white mist. Or maybe you have seen that misty spray come from the clothes iron while your mom is ironing. Did your mom ever tell you not to put your hands or face near that steam because it was very hot water and might burn you? Or have you ever gone outside on a cold day when you could see the breath come out of your mouth? It sort of looks like you are a chimney. Well, that misty white stuff is water vapor, H2O. But what happens to the misty H2O? It rises up into the air and disappears! It becomes invisible water vapor that is hiding all around us. Raise your hands if you think there is H2O in the air around us.

Now there is a way to make the vapor come out of hiding. To do that we have to put the water and the ice together. (Put the ice cubes into the jar of water.) Have you ever taken a glass of cold soft drink outside on a hot day and put it down for a minute? When you came back did you notice that the outside of the glass was wet all over? Did the glass leak? Or have you put the glass down on a table and later found a puddle of water on the table around your glass? Did someone spill water there? No, what has happened is that the H2O vapor in the air has come out of hiding. Let's see if that has happened with our jar. Yes, look at how wet the outside of the jar is. (Hold it up if necessary for the children to see.) Now we have our third form of H2O, water vapor in the air!

God gave us this example to help us understand about himself. Liquid water is H2O, ice is H2O, and hidden vapor in the air is H2O. The Father is God, Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. H2O comes in three forms because each form has its own job to do. You can wash clothes, and dishes, and yourself in liquid water. That would be impossible to do if ALL water was ice! You put ice in your drinks to make them cold. That wouldn't work if all water was vapor in the air. And the steam that comes from the iron helps remove the wrinkles from clothes. Ice cubes wouldn't do that! The three forms of water have different jobs that they do for us.

God made himself three in one because he had different jobs he wanted to do. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Neither God the Father nor God the Holy Spirit did that. The Father stays in heaven and records what he sees down here and watches over us. Two of the jobs of the Holy Spirit are to convict lost people of their sin and comfort saved people who are in trouble. God has many jobs so he chose to let himself be known in three ways. We call this the Trinity and we are thankful that he gave us H2O to help us understand about him.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

Aim: To teach children that outward appearances can he deceiving and that only God can truly understand and see the heart to determine motives or feelings.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Materials: An overhead projector; a quarter; a three liter bottle top: a medicine bottle top; a large button with the eye on the back; a baby food jar lid; an harmonica: a candy bar; a desk stapler; a box of staples; a real leaf; a construction paper leaf. You can substitute many of these items.

To prepare the overhead projector you must have a small, three sided, partition placed around the glass surface so the children cannot see the objects placed on the glass. This can be made from a piece of cardboard. And obviously, the projection, itself, must be on a wall or screen in easy view of all the children. Keep the objects to be used out of sight in a box or bag.

To begin hold up one or two objects that are right there in the room and ask the boys and girls what they are. For a Bible you would reply. "Yes. this is a Bible." For chalk. "Yes, you can all see this is a piece of chalk." Talk to them generally about how their eyes tell them things about the world around them. Then ask if anyone can see into another person's heart. Obviously, they cannot. Read I Samuel 16:7b and say "God sees things that we do not and in ways that we cannot. This projector shows how WE see." On the glass, in the center, place a quarter, a three liter bottle top, a medicine bottle top, a large button (the kind with the eye on the backside), a baby food jar lid, or any other small circular object. Don't use more than half a dozen examples. Ask the cilildren what they see. Someone will say 'circles.' Ask them what they can tell about them. They will only be able to tell the sizes. Then one by one show each object, explaining how God sees each person's potential for service and each hidden sin. "When we look around at boys and girls we just see boys and girls. God sees more than that. He sees inside."

Now place an harmonica, a candy bar (one with roughly the same shape as the harmonica), a desk stapler (that should be placed in the direct center), and a box of staples or some other object that shape. Ask the children again what they see. This time they may try to guess what they are looking at. Again show how the Lord sees our hearts and know if we are useful like the stapler or able to make music like the harmonica. And that he may know this even before we do.

Lastly, place a real leaf that has been thoroughly flattened (a distinctive one like a maple is good) and a realistic construction paper cut out of a leaf on the glass. Immediately the children will say they know they are looking at leaves. Ask how they know they are leaves. Pick up the real leaf and say "Yes, our eyes tell us that these are leaves. BUT God sees better than our eyes." Pick up the paper leaf. "Some people are pretenders. They may pretend to be saved when they are not. Others may pretend to be holy and hide their sins. Only God and YOU know your heart! Are you saved? Do you have a hidden sin that needs to be confessed? You know. God knows." Give an invitation.

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