Be an Extension Cord

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12 (NIV)

Props: extension cord, lamp

Position the lamp and its power cord far away from the electrical outlet.

• This lamp is like a lot of people in this world—simply not functioning the way it should because God’s power is not flowing through it. However, they do not know about God’s power and cannot reach him on their own.
• God wants to use you as an extension of His love and power, to bring His power to others.

(Plug in the extension cord and demonstrate how it carries power from the outlet to the lamp. Explain that it is not the source of power, but an extension of it.)

• You can be an extension of God’s power. His power can flow through you to others.
• You are not the source of power, God is; but His power can work through you.
• God has the power to do miracles. Let His power work through you.

Be a Bandage

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Props: Several large bandages labeled with the following: kind words, prayer, friendship, listening, God’s Word

Call forward a volunteer to act as a “hurt person.”

Why is fighting so wrong? (Allow for response). If you’re fighting, it will hurt you and the one you’re fighting with. Yet so many people choose to pick fights and join arguments.
God has called you to be a peacemaker. Matthew 5:9 says, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” All around you are people who are arguing and fighting. And if they’re fighting, that means they’re hurt, even if they don’t know or admit it. You may not see cuts and bruises on them, but many people are hurt on the inside. Since you are called to be a peacemaker, you are called to bring God’s healing to people when they are hurt.
How can you bring healing to someone who has been hurt by all the arguing and fighting in their world? (Allow for response and help guide the kids if necessary. Place the bandages on the volunteer as each one is mentioned). You can be a friend to someone whom everyone else makes fun of. You can choose not to listen when you hear gossip about someone, and you can definitely choose not to repeat gossip. That will help bring healing to someone who’s talked about. The Bible says, “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9) You can say kind words and decide to always tell the truth. Proverbs 10:12 says “Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”
You can pray for those who have been hurt and tell them about God’s peace. 1 Peter 4:8 says “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
When you are a peacemaker, you bring healing to others and you will be blessed!

Bandaged on the Inside and Out

[Love] always protects… 1 Corinthians 13:7

Props: box of adhesive bandages

No one likes to get hurt, but there is one good thing about getting hurt. When you get hurt, you can usually make it better by praying and by using all of the wonderful things God has given us, like band-aids. Band-aids are wonderful and we all use them when we get hurt. Does anyone know why we use band-aids? (Allow for response). Band-aids help do two things: (1) They help stop the bleeding, and (2) They keep bad things from getting into a cut or sore and causing even more sickness. If the wrong things get into a cut or sore it could make it much worse. So band-aids are very helpful.

Sometimes people get hurt on the inside. They aren’t sick in their body, but they’re hurt in their feelings. Maybe someone or even a lot of people said or did mean things to that person. Hurt feelings are hard to see because you can’t see them with your eyes. You have to get to know someone to tell if they have hurt feelings. True love watches out for others. You need to watch out for people who may have hurt feelings. When someone is hurting, act like a band-aid—cover their wounds rather than leave them open. Let them know you care. Talk to them and say and do nice things for them. Don’t let people hurt them more than they already are by saying or doing mean things. Show true love for them by protecting their feelings.

Backwards and Forwards

[Love] does not envy… 1 Corinthians 13:4

Props: 2 (two) 6’ sections of rope

Three people stand in a row. The center person has a rope tied around him, while the others are on either side of him pulling him in opposite directions. When “true love” is mentioned, the person on the right will try to pull the person in the middle ahead. When “envy” is mentioned, the person on the left will try to pull him back.

How does envy, or jealousy, start? Envy begins when someone isn’t happy with what God has given him. And because he isn’t happy, he doesn’t want anyone else to be happy either. True love begins with someone who is happy with all that God has given to him, and he wants everyone else to be just as happy as he is.

Envy will hold a person back, while true love will pull him ahead.
Envy will say, “If I’m not happy, you shouldn’t be either.”
True love will say, “I want you to be happy.”
Envy will say, “I want everything you have.”
True love will say, “I’m glad you have so much.”
Envy will say, “You can’t wear that! You’ll look better than me.”
True love will say, “That outfit looks nice on you. Wear it.”
Envy will say, “Don’t try out for football. You’ll make the team and I won’t.”
True love will say, “Try out for the team. Even if I don’t make it, I’ll still come watch you play.”
Envy will make you miserable.
True love will add to your joy.

God’s Word teaches us to love others for who they are, and not to be
jealous of what they have. God has given you everything you need. When you accept that and choose to be thankful for His blessings, you won’t have to be jealous of what everyone else has.

Are You Really Hungry? (skit)

Jesus replied: “I am the bread that gives life! No one who comes to me will ever be hungry.” John 6:35 (CEV)

A baker is offering fresh, hot bread to all who pass by.

Baker: (approaches a woman) Excuse me, ma’am. Would you like to try some of my fresh bread?

Woman: No thanks. I just ate a giant ice cream cone.

Baker: But ma’am. This is more delicious than anything you’ve ever had.

Woman: I said I’m not hungry. (Exits)

Baker: (approaching a man) Sir, would you like to sample a piece of fresh bread? It’s right out of the oven.

Man: Well, I don’t like eating in front of people. It can be embarrassing, especially if everyone is just staring at you. And besides, none of my friends have eaten your bread and I wouldn’t want to eat it alone. (Exits)

Baker: But sir… (child approaches) Hey…would you like some of my fresh bread. I just made it.

Child: Could I really?

Baker: Of course.

Child: How much does it cost?

Baker: It’s free. Go ahead.

(Child shoves bread into his mouth and eats excitedly).

Child: (with mouth half-full) I haven’t eaten in days! This is delicious. I could eat it all day and still have room for more…

Baker: (exiting with child) I’m glad you enjoy it. Come back for more anytime.

Teacher follow-up: Some people treat Jesus like these people treated the baker. Some fill up on things of the world and then they’re not “hungry” for Jesus. Others are embarrassed by living for Jesus. They don’t want to pray because they think others might see them. Maybe they only do things their friends do. And because their friends don’t live for Jesus they don’t want to either. There are some people, though, that want more of God. They don’t care who knows about it either. How do you treat Jesus? Remember: fill up on Jesus.

Always Hungry

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Props: picture of dish of food

Matthew 5:3 says, “God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.” So far, you’ve learned that you need to be open to what God has for you and that you need to let go of things that will keep you from getting blessed. There’s something else you need to know: you need to stay hungry for God’s blessings, for what is good. (Hold up picture of dish). Would this dish be enough to feed you for the rest of your life? (Allow for response). Of course not! But it should feed you for 10 years, though. Maybe not. How about a month? A week? A day? Maybe, but probably not even enough for a day. You need to eat more than once a day in order to get enough food to stay healthy.
If we’re hungry for what God has for us, He will bless us and fill us up. But that doesn’t mean that we can come to church once in our lives and get all we need. Even coming once a week isn’t enough. We need to talk to God every day in prayer and read the Bible to get all that God has for us. We need to do everything we can to get closer to Him. You will be blessed if you want all that God has for you. Don’t be satisfied with just getting a little: Get all you can!

**Teacher’s note: this lesson refers to two other lessons: “Open Up” and “Let Go of the Junk.” These three can be presented as a complete lesson centered around Matthew 5:6.

Admit Your Mistakes

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

Props: baking ingredients and utensils, chewing gum

Begin with a skit in which a little boy tries to “help” his mother by baking a cake for the company that is coming. She leaves him to bake the cake. In the process, he makes a number of errors such as dropping part of the egg shell in the batter and accidentally dropping his chewing gum into the batter, which he finds impossible to remove. Instead of admitting his mistakes, he bakes the cake and tries to cover the errors with the frosting. The company arrives, finds the “additions” to the cake, and leaves disgusted.

Some people act like this little boy when they make a mistake. Instead of admitting to God that they are wrong, and allowing Him to help, they try to cover up and hide their mistakes. If you will come to God when you make a mistake and ask Him to forgive and help you, He will. But if you try to hide your mistakes, one day it will be too late. Remember, you will be blessed if you are sorry for the bad things you’ve done. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Admit It When You are Wrong

Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 (RSV)

Props: pieces of broken glass in a dustpan, paper bag

Have helpers act out a scene of accidentally breaking a vase.

There will be times in your life when you make mistakes and are wrong about things. One of the most courageous things you can do is admit you are wrong. Courage is facing trouble without running away. (Show pieces of glass in dustpan). Look at this broken vase. What would you do if you had just broken the vase and your mom would be home in 5 minutes? You could hide the pieces in a paper bag and throw them away. (Show paper bag). You could blame it on the cat or dog or you brother or sister. Courage would be to face your mom and tell her the truth without hiding anything. Any wimp can hide. Any wimp can lie. It takes someone of real courage to admit the truth and face the trouble without running away. Learn to be a boy or girl of courage. Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re wrong and say you are sorry.

Accomplish Something for God

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. James 3:13-17 (NIV)

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. John 9:4 (NIV)

Props: pictures of a puzzle in progress, from beginning to end

We’re getting ready to start a new year, and the challenge is to live for God today! Part of living for God is accomplishing, or doing, great things for God. Most people never even try to do great things for God because they think they can’t.
There was a man who decided to do something great one year. So he bought a puzzle of 1,000 pieces. Each piece was smaller than a dime. He told others about his goal of completing the puzzle. Some laughed at him. Others said he’d never make it. But he was determined. So he emptied the box onto the puzzle table and got started. It was tough! Every day he put a few pieces together. Although he worked hard each day, it seemed like he was getting nothing accomplished.
Doing great things for God is not waiting for one big thing to come along that you can do; it’s continuing to do what God asks you to do every single day. Often that means continuing to do the little things for Him. You may pray for someone one day, and tell someone about God the next day. Maybe it seems like your prayers aren’t getting answered and no one is listening to you. You may feel like the man putting the puzzle together: Nothing big is happening.
The man kept working day after day. The picture was coming together so slowly. Sometimes he stepped back to look at all the pieces and they didn’t even make sense. It didn’t seem possible that so many pieces could ever come together to make something great.
You may feel that way, too, when you are accomplishing something for God. But remember, everything you do for God is important. Each time you pray for someone, help someone, give to God, and obey Him, it’s all part of the big picture. God will use what you give Him to make something great.
One day the puzzle was about a quarter of the way done. The man seriously thought about taking some time off. But he remembered that every day is important if he wanted to reach his goal. So he kept going.
There will be times when you want to quit doing what God wants you to do. You may want to take it easy for awhile or stop praying so much. But each day is important. You must choose to live for God today and not wait until later. If you wait, it might be too late.
Finally, when the year was almost over, the man completed the puzzle. He could hardly believe it! It was so amazing. All those days of working so hard, sorting out the pieces and slowly putting them together! At last there was something great to show for it.
You must choose to accomplish something great for God; it doesn’t just happen. Great things come after many days, months and sometimes even years of doing the little things that God asks you to. So every day matters and you must decide to live for God today! Today is the day to accomplish something for God. Accomplish something great for Him by doing the little things that matter.

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