What's On the Inside Counts

This lesson has been planned to show the children that although we judge people and situations by their outward appearance - God judges us by what is in our hearts.

I. You will need the following items: Two glass pitchers -- one plain and the other fancy ,food color (four different colors) , A jar with only a fourth of a cup of bleach and pack with two Alka-Seltzer.

II. Directions for object lesson: Fill the plain glass container with water before class. In the fancy container put three drops of each food color- do without children seeing this. Place the jar of bleach behind glass containers. Place unwrapped Alka-Seltzer on table behind bleach. You might want to cover supplies so children will not see them as they enter.

III. Teaching object lesson

Talk about containers and which one would appear to be better to drink from. Talk about how God looks on our hearts not just on the things we do. Our works will never get us to heaven no matter how good we are. Tell them that you will pour some water into the fancy container to see if the water taste the same from both containers. You can ask two tasters in advance to come up and taste the water. They won’t want to taste the water in the fancy one when it turns black, as you pour the water in it. It is important that you don’t let them see the food coloring in the fancy container before you pour the water in it. Some children will be surprised as the clean water turns color.

Now you can give a short plan of salvation. Let them know that God knew what they looked like on the inside, so He had a plan. Ask the kids to tell you what sort of things make us dirty on the inside. The idea is to get them to tell you some things like anger, pride, selfishness etc.

When you talk about God’s plan and the blood of Jesus open the jar of bleach and say that God allowed the blood of Jesus to pay the price for our sins and to clean up our lives. Pour in the bleach and as it begins to turn the water blue talk about God giving us the Holy Spirit. Talk about the fact that if we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, He will help us become more like Jesus in our actions and in our hearts. Talk about God giving us the Holy Spirit and why God gave Him. As you talk about the Holy Spirit (without everybody seeing what you are dropping into the water) place the two Alka-Seltzer in the water. As they work they will stir the bleach and clear the water. Wrap the object lesson us by letting them know that we will never be totally perfect until we get to heaven- but if we will listen to the still small voice in our hearts He will help us lead a life that pleases God.

John 3:16