Object Lesson | Sword Master

Source (Where I saw it): Original

Supplies:  A sword of some kind

Preparation: None

The object lesson & how I used it...

Main Point: We need to use our Bible!

Illustration: Come to the front and ask the kids if any of them know what fencing is.  Fencing is a sport involving sword fighting.  Now if you have never fenced before or had any training with a sword, then you would lose pretty badly to someone who does it for a living.  In fact, you could really hurt yourself by playing with a sword if you don’t know what you are doing.

Explanation:  It is the exact same way with the Bible.  In fact, the Bible is described in Hebrews as a sword!  If you never read the Bible or study it, then you have no idea how to use it.  In fact there are many people that end up believing things they shouldn’t, just because they don’t know God’s word.  Just like when Jesus was tempted he had to know that Satan was using God’s word in a bad way.  Jesus not only knew God’s word, he knew when someone else was using it incorrectly!

Object Lesson | Try To Read This!

Source (Where I saw it): Original

Supplies: Sheet of paper with the pledge of allegiance or some other well known phrase on it in a foreign language.

Preparation: Be sure to pick a language your kids won’t recognize.  I used the pledge of allegiance and google translated it to Japanese.

The object lesson & how I used it...

Main Point: We need to use the Bible!

Illustration: Come to the front and ask one of the kids to come up and read the paper.  After they can’t, try another few kids.  Finally explain to them, that this actually really easy.  In fact, most of you know what this says.  The problem is none of you can read Japanese.  Has anyone in here studied the Japanese language?  Can anyone speak Japanese or write in it?  here is what this paper says... read it.

Explanation:  The idea is if you don’t study something or practice it all the time, you won’t be able to use it.  You all don’t study Japanese or speak in it all the time, and so you couldn’t read this paper.  It is the same way with the Bible.  A lot of people say they know the basics of the Bible, or they hear things at church, but ultimately unless you read and study it on a consistent basis, you really don’t know God’s word!  We need to use the Bible!  It is one of the keys in building our relationship with God!

Object Lesson | Have It On The Inside!

Source (Where I saw it): Original

Supplies: A camera or phone camera

Preparation: None

The object lesson & how I used it...

Main Point: We need to internalize God’s word!

Illustration: Come to the front and show the boys and girls the camera.  Ask them if they know what it is.  Then ask them what the use of a camera is.  Now tell them you are going to take a picture.  The first time explain to them you click the button, there is a flash and the picture is captured so you can look at it later.  Then goo around the room and just point it at people but don’t click the button.  Now look in the camera and wonder out loud that none of the pictures you took are stored in there.  The kids will probably say you didn’t push the button to make them save.

Explanation:  Explain that a camera is a great thing to recall information and moments in time, but if we don’t actual push the button and let the image store on the inside, then we make the camera obsolete and useless.  Sadly that’s what a lot of us do with the Bible and God’s word.  We carry it around with us, but never internalize it.  If we don’t let it be stored on the inside then when we need it it won’t be there!  We need to hide God’s word in our heart!