Use these three easy object lessons to enhance your Sunday school teachings in 2024!
Jesus Conquers Sin
Bible verses
Colossians 2:13–15; John 1:29; 1 John 3:5
What you need
- A clear pie plate
- A penny
- A half-filled glass of water
- Red food coloring
- A free standing candle
- Matches
- A drinking glass large enough to cover the candle
What you do
Put red food coloring into the glass of water. Practice this beforehand to make sure you have the right amount of red water. If you have too much it will come up and extinguish the candle.
Show the empty pie plate. Say: Long ago, God made the earth. Everything was clear and clean and perfect. God saw everything he had made and “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31 ESV).
Unfortunately, it didn’t stay that way. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and soon the whole earth was filled with sin. Pour the red water into the pie plate. Say: When you were born, (put the penny into the red water) you were born into a sinful world and you are a sinner, too. No matter how hard you try, you can’t do anything to get rid of your sin.
Thankfully, because of God’s great love for us, he sent Jesus into the world to be our Savior. The Bible says that Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12 ESV). Place the candle on the pie plate and light it. Say: Jesus came to take all of our sins away. He came to rescue us! Place the drinking glass over the candle and watch as the red water is sucked into the glass and away from the penny. Say, When Jesus died on the cross, he took all our sins upon himself and now we are clean and forgiven!
Renew Your Mind
Bible verses
Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 12:1–3; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16–17
What you need
- A clear pie plate
- Water
- Pepper
- Soap
What you do
Before you begin, out of sight from the children, rub some soap on one of your index fingers. As the children watch, fill the pie plate with water and say: This water represents our minds and our hearts. God’s original plan for each one of us was that we would be clean and holy, made in the image of God. Unfortunately, we live in a sinful world and each one of us is a sinner, too. Shake enough pepper on top of the water to cover the surface. Say, This pepper represents sin. Sometimes we let sin control us. We think about it, we plan to do it, and we often sin without even knowing it.
The Bible says, “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2 ESV). How do we renew our minds? The author of Hebrews says, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus” (12:2 NLT). Paul tells us to think about things that are true, honorable, and pure. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
Say, The best way to clear our minds and hearts from the sin that “clings so closely” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV) is to read God’s Word, rely on our Savior, and pray. Use your soapy index finger to touch the center of the water. The pepper will be “pushed” to the sides of the plate. Say, God’s Word helps us push back sin, points us to Jesus, and focuses our minds on things that are true, honorable, and pure.
God’s Protection
Bible verses
Ephesians 6:10–18; Psalm 91:9–12; Psalm 84:11; Proverbs 30:5; John 16:33
What you need
- Two facial tissues
- A pitcher filled with water high enough to cover a clear drinking glass
- A clear drinking glass
What you do
Before you begin, fold each tissue into a square. Use a marker to draw a face on each one. The tissue represents the students.
Hold up the first tissue and say, This is you. Point to the pitcher of water and say, This is the world. Jesus said in John 16:33 that you would have trouble in this world. Because of sin, everyone experiences trouble of one kind or another. Sometimes the trouble that comes into your life is very damaging. Take the tissue and dunk it in the water.
Say, However, Jesus also says in John 16:33 that you can be encouraged because he has overcome the world. He defeated sin—our ultimate enemy—on the cross. When you ask God to be with you, help you, and take care of you, he gives you his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is like a shield to protect you from the world. God also gives you his armor to help you defend yourself against the world and the devil. He also protects you in the midst of trouble and gives you what you need to be okay even when you are surrounded by things that are very difficult. Take the second tissue and push it to the bottom of a clear drinking glass. Turn the drinking glass upside down and dunk it into the pitcher of water. After you remove the glass from the water, take the tissue out to show that it is still dry.
Say, Jesus tells you that you will have trouble in this world, but God wants you to look to him during troublesome times. He is glad to hear your prayers for help. Your heavenly Father, Jesus, your Savior, and the Holy Spirit are right there with you, helping you in the middle of any kind of trouble that you face.
We hope you found these object lessons useful in your class. Find affordable and fun gift and giveaways for children's ministry here.
