Object Lessons!

"Shining Your Light"

Character Trait: Kindness
Key Verse: Matthew 5:16
Object: Flashlight

• Lesson: Turn on a flashlight and explain how our kind actions are like light in the world. When we do good things, people see and glorify God.
• Activity: Have kids share one way they can "shine their light" this week.

"The Unbreakable String"

Character Trait: Friendship
Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Object: String or rope

• Lesson: Show how one string can easily break, but when twisted with others, it becomes stronger. True friends help and strengthen each other.
• Activity: Pair kids up and have them share something kind or encouraging with their partner.

"The Dirty Mirror"

Character Trait: Honesty
Key Verse: Proverbs 10:9
Object: A mirror smudged with dirt or grease

• Lesson: Explain that dishonesty is like smudging a mirror—it distorts what’s true. When we’re honest, we reflect God clearly.
• Activity: Clean the mirror while talking about how honesty helps us "clean up" our hearts.

"The Growing Seed"

Character Trait: Patience
Key Verse: Galatians 6:9
Object: A small plant or seedling

• Lesson: Growth takes time, just like it takes patience to grow good character.
• Activity: Give kids seeds to plant at home and remind them that good things come to those who wait.

"The Sticky Tape"

Character Trait: Forgiveness
Key Verse: Colossians 3:13
Object: Tape or adhesive stickers

• Lesson: Show how tape picks up dirt and loses its stickiness when used repeatedly. Holding onto grudges makes us "stickier" with anger, but forgiveness cleans our hearts.
• Activity: Write down something they need to forgive, stick it on tape, and throw it away as a symbol of letting go.

"The Strong Foundation"

Character Trait: Responsibility
Key Verse: Matthew 7:24-27
Object: Two small towers (one on sand and one on a firm surface)

• Lesson: Build one tower on sand and the other on a solid base. When "storms" (a fan or shaking) come, the sandy tower falls. Being responsible helps us build a strong foundation for life.
• Activity: Talk about responsible actions like finishing homework or chores.

"The Overflowing Cup"

Character Trait: Gratitude
Key Verse: Psalm 23:5
Object: A cup, pitcher of water

• Lesson: Slowly pour water into the cup until it overflows, explaining that God blesses us so much that our "cup overflows." Gratitude helps us recognize this.
• Activity: Write things they’re grateful for on slips of paper and fill a "gratitude jar."

"The Puzzle Piece"

Character Trait: Cooperation
Key Verse: Romans 12:4-5
Object: Puzzle pieces

• Lesson: Show one piece of a puzzle and explain how it’s incomplete without the others. Working together completes the bigger picture.
• Activity: Complete a small puzzle as a group, talking about how each person contributes.

"The Filtered Water"

Character Trait: Purity
Key Verse: Philippians 4:8
Object: Water filter or strainer

• Lesson: Show how dirty water gets cleaned through a filter, like how we filter our thoughts by focusing on what’s true, noble, and pure.
• Activity: Write things that aren’t pure on paper and “filter” them through God’s Word (read verses to replace them with pure thoughts).

"The Broken Crayon"

Character Trait: Perseverance
Key Verse: James 1:12
Object: Broken crayons

• Lesson: Show how even broken crayons can still color beautifully. Similarly, when things don’t go as planned, we can still persevere and do amazing things.
• Activity: Have kids color with broken crayons and share a time they kept going through a challenge.

Object lessons With Devotions

Object Lesson: The Jar of Priorities

Materials Needed:

1. A clear jar
2. Large rocks (representing the most important things like God, family, responsibilities)
3. Small pebbles (representing hobbies, video games, entertainment)
4. Sand (representing distractions or things that waste time)
5. Water (representing God’s grace and the Holy Spirit)

Lesson Steps:

1. Introduce the Jar:
   Hold up the empty jar and explain,
   "This jar represents your life. What we put into it shows how we spend our time and energy."

2. Start with the Sand:
   Pour sand into the jar, saying,
   "These are the distractions in life—things like endlessly scrolling on your phone or wasting time on things that don't matter."
   Then add the small pebbles, saying,
   "These are hobbies and entertainment, which are fun but shouldn't take over our priorities."

3. Try to Add the Rocks:
   Attempt to fit the large rocks into the jar on top of the sand and pebbles. The rocks will not fit.
   Say, "If we fill our lives with distractions and entertainment first, there's no room for what truly matters—our relationship with God, family, and responsibilities."

4. Start Over, Prioritizing the Rocks:
   Empty the jar and begin again. This time, place the large rocks into the jar first, saying,
   "These rocks represent what’s most important: God, family, schoolwork, and chores."
   Then add the pebbles, saying,
   "Now we can enjoy hobbies and entertainment, but only after the big priorities are set."
   Finally, pour in the sand, saying,
   "Even distractions can find their place when our priorities are in order."

5. Add Water:
   Pour water into the jar, filling all the gaps. Say,
   "This water represents God’s grace and the Holy Spirit, who fills our lives and helps us accomplish all these things."

Key Takeaway:
“When we put God and our responsibilities first, everything else falls into place. But when we let distractions and entertainment take over, we crowd out what really matters.”

Scripture Connection:
Tie this back to Matthew 6:33: "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."