Object Lesson: You are a Thank You Card by Kristin Charles

The following object lesson can be used in a children’s church setting, an elementary chapel, an Awana message, or a Sunday School.  It is designed for students from kindergarten through sixth grade.  The premise of the message is that we should live our lives as “Thank You Cards” written to God.

How many of you have ever written a thank you note before?  How many of you had your parents make you write that thank you note?  (Good for them!)

Do you remember what kind of things you were thankful for?  Was it crazy socks you got from your birthday party or a ten dollar bill you got from your Great Aunt Wilma for Christmas or a book from your teacher?  Did you ever write a thank you note for something special that you did with someone, like go out for pizza or ice skating or to an amusement park?

Does anyone know what you say in a thank you note, besides thank you?  Invite responses. Usually, most thank you notes sound like this:

Dear Heather,

Thank you for taking me camping with your family.  I had so much fun!  It’s hard for me to decide what my favorite part of the weekend was.  It could have been eating s’mores or swimming in the lake or giggling over your dad’s snoring.  Wasn’t it funny when that raccoon scared us or when the tent fell on our heads?  I laughed so hard.  Thanks for taking me.  I can’t wait till we go again!

Your friend, Me

So besides just saying thank you, you tell the person why you loved something and what it meant to you.  If you got a gift, you may say how you’re going to use it.

Okay, next question.  How many of you have ever gotten a thank you note?  How did that thank you note make you feel?  I don’t know about you, but I love thank you notes!  It’s kind of cool to know that someone notices a gift that you got them.

Or maybe, someone says thank you for just being you.  It might be something as simple as a note on a napkin that says, “Thank you for making me smile!”  If I got that note on a napkin – even if there was ketchup or hot fudge on it or something out of your nose (don’t get any ideas now!), I think I would keep that napkin forever.  That thank you napkin would make me happy every time I saw it.

Now let’s turn this talk over to God.  What can we be thankful to God for today?  Let’s think about all that God has done for us.  In Psalm 126:3, it says, “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.”  Let’s shout out some of those great things He has done.  I’ll begin.  I thank God for __________, ___________, and _____________.  Invite student responses for as long as you can.  Let this time be an anthem of thanks.  Continue to supply your own thanks also.

As we just heard, God has done great things for us and we can be filled with joy!  God has been so good to us.  Most of all, He has given us our Savior Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins.  He has given us incredible life in Him and because of Him.  But He has also given us so much more.  He’s given us ice cream, tree frogs, patience, and thumbs. Have you ever tried to do anything without your thumbs?  Try it today.  It’s nearly impossible!  He’s given us our legs to run, a painted sky, and the ability to forgive others.  Substitute your own random thanks. Don’t you kind of wish we could write Him a thank you note for all He has done?  Here’s the thing.

We can.

Hold up a card and envelope. Now it’s not the kind of thank you note that gets stuffed in an envelope, licked, stamped, and addressed.  It’s not the kind where you even need to take out a pen.  It is the kind of thank you note that looks just like you though.  And you, and you, and you, and you, and all of us and me.

We can be a thank you note.

Why should we obey God’s word?  Why should we do what He says?  Why should we love Him?  It’s not just to keep us out of trouble.  It’s not just because it’s what is best for us.  It’s not just because our parents have said so. It’s certainly not so that everyone can see how good we are.

We obey God so that our lives can be a thank you note back to Him.  It’s our way of saying thanks.  What would our lives look like as thank you notes?  If we are saying thanks, can we at the same time be complaining?  If we are really saying thanks for all that He has done, will we always want more stuff or will we be content?  If we are living lives of thanks, can we keep hurting others, whom He has made?

If we are really thankful for what He has done, how does that make us different?  Invite responses. How can we be a thank you note to God this week?  In your life, what needs to change?  If I am to be a thank you note this week, I’ll be honest with you.  I’m going to need to work on _____________.

Think about what you need to work on this week.  What sin in your life do you need to get rid of?  In the quietness of prayer, let’s go to God and ask for forgiveness.  Let’s also ask the Holy Spirit to help us to change us from the inside out.

How cool would it be to bombard heaven with our thank you notes this week; the thank you notes of us.  Let’s do just that!  I think I’m already seeing God smile now.  Ready.  Set.  Go!

The idea of Christ followers living lives as “Thank You Notes” was first generated by Dr. Kara Powell.  I loved the illustration so much that I expanded it into this lesson.

http://ministry-to-children.com/thank-you-object-lesson/

Will You Practice Sin or Right Living? Object Lesson for Kids by Tony Kummer

One of my biggest frustrations is when kids know right & wrong but choose to do wrong anyway. This drives me crazy, especially when it’s just a small temptation that wins them over. So, I began to brainstorm a way to teach about the practical effects of sin even when they don’t get caught.

Watch the video below to see a demonstration featuring my son David. You can also click here to add your own thoughts or suggestions for this object lesson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TspPDjbSGT8&feature=player_embedded

Supplies Needed: One child to volunteer (preferably a kid who plays basketball) and a basketball.

Gospel Connection: Don’t let this object lesson come down to only behavior. This tenancy for all of us to choose sin shows us the need for Jesus. We are all born sinners and practice doing wrong all our lives. It takes the power of the Gospel to remove our guilt and change our inward desires. Then we can begin to practice right living.

Scripture Connection: This can be used with any Bible lesson about doing right or growing in God’s ways. Here are a few Bible verses that come to mind when I think of these truths.

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. (1 John 3:7 ESV)

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalm 1:6)

http://ministry-to-children.com/will-you-practice-sin-or-right-living-object-lesson-for-kids/

 

Object Lessons from the Movie “Avengers” by Guest Writer Nick Diliberto

I recently took my two boys to see the movie, The Avengers. We loved it! In the movie Thor, Black Widow, the Hulk, Hawkeye, Captain America and Iron Man team up to stop the evil Loki from destroying the world. The Avengers is #1 at box office right now and you can bet that many of the preteens in your group will be going to see it. Why not use it as an opportunity to point kids to Jesus?

Here are some ideas and themes from the movie that you can use to teach preteens about God and Jesus. Use as a guide, insert into an upcoming lesson or as inspiration to write your own lesson.

BOLDNESS

The Avengers all are given special powers. The Hulk & Captain America are strong & powerful; Iron Man can fly and Hawkeye can shoot arrows that blow up things.

When it comes to following Jesus, we need power beyond ourselves. Like superheroes, we are given a special power from God. We may not be able to fly or have super human strength. But God does give us boldness to follow Jesus. Jesus calls us to forgive and forget rather than getting revenge. He wants us to invite our friends to church who aren’t Christ followers. Jesus wants us to do the right thing even when everyone around us isn’t. Living our lives the way Jesus teaches in the Bible takes boldness. And we can’t just choose to be bold. We can’t muster up courage on our own. But we can rely on God’s power to give us boldness.

SERVICE

The Avengers took risks in order to serve the human race. They risked their lives time and time again, with nothing to gain for themselves. They also served each other. Black Widow was looking out for Hawkeye when he turned evil. As a result, he had the opportunity to help defeat Loki and his Alien team. Thor was looking out for his brother Loki, trying to convince him to stop his evil plot.

We might not be superheroes, but we do have opportunities everyday to serve others. Maybe the new kid at school needs a friend or the bully needs some compassion extended to him. If we pay attention, God will show us ways to serve others in our everyday lives. As we do this, we can even imagine that we are a superhero serving mankind!

TEAMWORK

At first, The Avengers had a difficult time working together. They were arguing and fighting each other. But eventually they pulled together, therefore being more effective fighting evil. In one scene, Iron Man & Captain America helped repair the engine of a flying aircraft carrier. They needed each other, not being able to accomplish the task alone.

In life, teamwork is important. When playing baseball, basketball, football or any other sport – teamwork is the key to success. In the church, teamwork is necessary as well. God gives everyone special talents, gifts and abilities that work together to reach the world and point people to Jesus.

Nick Diliberto is the creator of PreteenMinistry.net, which provides creative curriculum and resources for preteen ministry. He is also the preteen columnist for Children’s Ministry Magazine and Children’s Pastor at Seven San Diego Church.

http://ministry-to-children.com/object-lessons-from-the-avengers-movie/

Support the Troops!

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the powers of this dark world.” Ephesians 6:12

As the war in Iraq drags on, we are all a little war weary from the complex battle that continues to wage over there. The tired troops want to come home, but with courage and dedication to the cause, they remain on the frontlines. Those of us watching from a distance do what we can to support them, driving around with our “Support the Troops” stickers on our cars and praying fervently for their safety and success.

While no one can accurately predict the resolution, the war carries a poignant lesson for all those who care about the cause of Jesus Christ. As God’s people, we are engaged in a war of far greater proportions—warfare against the hierarchies and unseen powers of the satanic hosts (Ephesians 6:10-12). This battle concerns the liberation of the eternally lost, the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, and the glory of His name.

What strikes me is the surprising lack of support for the frontline men and women who are in the trenches waging this war against the gates of hell. Some of our spiritual troops are dug in on battlefields far away. From massive urban centers like Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro to the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea, among executives and shopkeepers and natives, these soldiers are penetrating enemy territory with the life-changing claims of Christ.

I am frequently brought face-to-face with the everyday struggles of missionaries who serve as soldiers in the work of the kingdom. Some spend an inordinate amount of time getting to the frontlines because the funds they need are not available. Others often feel forgotten and neglected during their stint on the field. When they finally come home, they feel that somehow they don’t fit.

I also have the privilege of talking heart-to-heart with pastors who labor in their homelands. While some feel loved and supported, others speak of the difficulty they face in trying to focus their church’s attention on the advancement of the gospel. Often a pastor is the target of bickering and petty agendas that turn the congregation inward and end up dividing and sapping its strength.

Laymen fight it out in the trenches of the marketplace, where they see their careers as an opportunity to show Jesus to their world by working with integrity and ethical purity, and some of them do this against great odds. Yet many find little enthusiasm or support for what they are doing in the tough arena of secular society.

So, as Americans commemorate Memorial Day, I think it’s fitting to stop and consider how we are doing in terms of spiritual warfare. Let’s take seriously Paul’s advice to “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11). If each of us were to make a personal commitment to put away what is petty and temporary and instead concentrate on what will advance the cause of Christ, think of the ground we could claim for His kingdom! If we pledge to pray consistently and specifically for those involved on the frontlines, we will provide a vital aspect of support. And if we put our money where we say our hearts are, we will keep the battle lines supplied.

The big difference, of course, between earth-side battles and spiritual battles, is that we already know the outcome. Jesus already claimed eternal victory, and in the meantime He gives us the power for victory in the skirmishes we face along the way. So enlist yourself today, and don’t forget to support the troops!

YOUR JOURNEY…

• Are you on the frontlines waging war with the forces of darkness? If so, make a list of the personal battles you are facing, and commit those areas to prayer with your armor on!
• What are some of the battles the church at large is facing today? How can you help support the cause in a way that brings glory to the name of our Leader?
• Think of some specific ways you can encourage others who are slugging it out on the frontlines.  Write a note, send a gift, or make a phone call—be creative!

http://getmorestrength.org/daily/support-the-troops/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GetMoreStrength+%28Strength+For+The+Journey%29

Unquestion Revelation

In that day you will ask Me nothing —John 16:23

When is “that day”? It is when the ascended Lord makes you one with the Father. “In that day” you will be one with the Father just as Jesus is, and He said, “In that day you will ask Me nothing.” Until the resurrection life of Jesus is fully exhibited in you, you have questions about many things. Then after a while you find that all your questions are gone— you don’t seem to have any left to ask. You have come to the point of total reliance on the resurrection life of Jesus, which brings you into complete oneness with the purpose of God. Are you living that life now? If not, why aren’t you?

“In that day” there may be any number of things still hidden to your understanding, but they will not come between your heart and God. “In that day you will ask Me nothing”— you will not need to ask, because you will be certain that God will reveal things in accordance with His will. The faith and peace of John 14:1 has become the real attitude of your heart, and there are no more questions to be asked. If anything is a mystery to you and is coming between you and God, never look for the explanation in your mind, but look for it in your spirit, your true inner nature— that is where the problem is. Once your inner spiritual nature is willing to submit to the life of Jesus, your understanding will be perfectly clear, and you will come to the place where there is no distance between the Father and you, His child, because the Lord has made you one. “In that day you will ask Me nothing.”

http://utmost.org/unquestion-revelation/

A Celebration of Unity

“And they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the desert. Israel camped there opposite the mountain” – Exodus 19:2

In the coming days, the Jewish people will celebrate the festival of Shavuot which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai exactly 50 days after the exodus from Egypt. Jews around the world will spend all night in study sessions after which, at morning prayers, we will read the climactic story of the giving of the Ten Commandments.

We’re always excited to hear the Ten Commandments, but it’s important not to overlook the verses that immediately precede them. Often times, the deepest parts of Scripture are found in the places we don’t immediately look. We’re taught to look for little clues – and we find one at the very beginning of chapter 19 of Exodus.

Why does the Torah repeat that seemingly meaningless detail about the encampment at Sinai? The very same verse tells us twice that the people camped. Well, of course they camped! Is the Torah concerned that we might think they hung out poolside at a four-star resort waiting for Moses to hand out copies of the Law? Of course not. So why the repetition?

The great 11^th-century Jewish sage, Rashi, notices a telling bit of grammar in the text. When the sentence first uses the word “camped” (vayachanu), the Hebrew is plural – they camped. In the second part of the verse, “camped” (vayichan) is singular – he camped. The Jews arrived at Sinai as many – individuals, families, and tribes. But the experience at Sinai made them one – a single people with a single heart worshiping the One God.

This concept is hardly new for Americans – our nation’s motto is the Latin phrase e pluribus unum (“from many, one”). But, too often, we wait for danger or outrage to unify us. This has certainly been true throughout Jewish history and is true for most societies today. We are never more united than when we are threatened.

In this simple, easily-overlooked verse, the Torah is reminding us to find unity in joy and gratitude. Don’t wait for a negative reason to come together! Be like the Israelites at Sinai – gather together around the fountain of faith and learning and come away with a single heart for a single purpose:  to do His will in the world.

In this season of receiving the Gift of the Law, may our gift be one of joyous unity. And may we share that gift with others.

http://www.holylandmoments.org/devotionals/a-celebration-of-unity

The Lord’s Times

“Thou makest the outgoing of the morning and evening to rejoice” (Ps. 65:8).

Get up early and go to the mountain and watch God make a morning. The dull gray will give way as God pushes the sun towards the horizon, and there will be tints and hues of every shade, that will blend into one perfect light as the full-orbed sun bursts into view. As the King of day moves forth majestically, flooding the earth and every lowly vale, listen to the music of heaven’s choir as it sings of the majesty of God and the glory of the morning.”

In the holy hush of the early dawn

I hear a Voice

“I am with you all the day,

Rejoice! Rejoice!”

The clear, pure light of the morning made me long for the truth in my heart, which alone could make me pure and clear as the morning, tune me up to the concert-pitch of the nature around me. And the wind that blew from the sunrise made me hope in the God who had first breathed into my nostrils the breath of life; that He would at length so fill me with His breath, His mind, His Spirit, that I should think only His thoughts, and live His life, finding therein my own life, only glorified infinitely. What should we poor humans do without our God’s nights and mornings? –George MacDonald

“In the early morning hours,

‘Twixt the night and day,

While from earth the darkness passes

Silently away;

“Then ’tis sweet to talk with Jesus

In thy chamber still

For the coming day and duties

Ask to know His will.

“Then He’ll lead the way before you,

Mountains laying low;

Making desert places blossom,

Sweet‘ning Marah‘s flow.

“Would you know this life of triumph,

Victory all the way?

Then put God in the beginning

Of each coming day.”

http://devotionals.ochristian.com/mrs-charles-cowman-streams-in-the-desert-devotional.shtml

Feeling Our Sense of Debt at the Lord’s Table

Feeling Our Sense of Debt at the Lord’s Table.

Goodness and Mercy

Goodness and Mercy.

Tozer Devotional-Looking Back While Pressing On

Looking Back While Pressing On

Another enemy is complacency.“ Woe to them that are at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1). The contended Christian is not in danger of attack, he has already been attacked. He is sick and does not know it. To escape this we must stir up the gift of God which is in us. We must declare war on contentment and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Again there is self-righteousness. The temptation to feel morally pleased with ourselves will be all the greater as our lives become better. The only sure defense against this is to cultivate a quiet state of continual penitence. A sweet but sobering memory of our past guilt and a knowledge of our present imperfections are not incompatible with the joy of the Lord; and they are of inestimable aid in resisting the enemy.

http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=563