Stand Up For What Is Right (Even If You Stand Alone)

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

Props: projection system and slides of the following math problems OR overhead projector, blank transparency, transparency marker OR posterboard and marker

Write out the following math problems before the lesson.  Write the corresponding answers as you come to each problem during the lesson.  

            I want you to imagine with me that you are in math class one day and your teacher gives the terrible news: there will be a pop quiz.  How many of you like pop quizzes?  (Allow for response).  Well, the good news is that with this pop quiz, you will be able to work with your friends.  But each of you will be graded separately.  So, you join a group of 3 others and begin the quiz.  (Write each problem on the transparency as you call it out).  First problem: 10 + 15.  “Hmm…10+15.  That’s easy,” you think.  “25.”  But you are shocked to see that all of your friends write down 30.  What do you do?  (Allow for response).  Of course you wouldn’t change your answer.  You are sure it is 25.  Okay.  Next question:  5+20.  Just as you begin to write down 25 again, all your friends write down 520.  You try to tell them it’s 25.  You even work out the problem on paper for them.  But they look at you like you have lost your mind.  What do you do?  (Allow for response).  Hopefully, you stay with what you know is true.  Just two more questions.  The teacher writes down 12+13.  You write 25.  This time your friends start telling you that you’re going to fail the quiz.  The next question comes: 11+14.  Your write your final answer: 25.  Now your friends are upset.  You have 25 written for each answer and they don’t have it written once.  They tell you to go back to kindergarten.  Would you change any of your answers?  I hope not!  If you keep your answers, you’ll make a 100% A+.  And your friends, of course, would fail.  Knowing the truth will give you the courage to stick with what you believe.  If you really believe something, you can’t be talked out of it.  But if you’re not sure, you may go along with what everyone else is saying. 

            People will try to talk you out of believing in God for the rest of your life.  They will try to tell you that it’s not important to live by the God’s rules or by the Bible.  You have to make up your mind that you believe in the Bible and that what God says is true.  Believing—really believing—that will give you the courage to stand up for what you know to be true, no matter how many people or who may try to tell you differently.  Courage is facing trouble without running away.  Have the courage to face people who don’t believe in God without changing what you believe.

Stand for what is Right

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.  1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)

Props: various protest signs with humorous messages (e.g., “Respect Duct Tape,” “Save the Plastic Containers!”)

Presentation: Have helpers come out wearing T-shirts/carrying signs, each with his/her own “protest” message.  (Some of them can be silly).  Have them call out their slogans as they come.  Have the final helper come out with a sign that says, “God loves you.”  The other protesters should laugh at him and comment on how ridiculous it is. 

            Most people have something that they are willing to stand and even fight for, but very few people stand for what is right.  People fight to go to war, other fight against war.  Some say it’s wrong to kill animals, others say it’s okay.  There are those who will fight against our president and others talk about how great he is.  Many people fight for many things.  But today’s lesson is all about standing up for what is right. 

            You have a choice in this life: You can stand up for what is right or you can live your life doing wrong.  Standing for what is right will often mean that you will have to stand alone.  You will have people who don’t understand you and some will make fun of you.  Just keep standing for what you know is true. 

            You will have people who don’t understand you or your love for God.  Some people may make fun of you or stop hanging around you if you do what is right.  Just keep standing for what you know is true.  You must decide that you are going to do what is right no matter what it costs you. 

            Stand for what is right, even if you stand alone.

Soldiers Skit

Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can stand firm against the devil’s evil plans. Ephesians 6:11 (NIrV)

Two helpers enter dressed ordinarily.  A “sergeant” enters and addresses them. 

Sergeant: Soldiers, attent-huh!

Helper 1: Are you talking to us?

Sergeant: Soldiers, stand at attention!

Helper 2: We’re not soldiers, we’re just kids.

Sergeant: You are soldiers.  And not only that, you are soldiers at war!

Helper 1: Soldiers?  War?  What’s going on here?

Sergeant: No one has informed you?  You are soldiers in God’s army.  Your enemy, the devil, is out to attack you.  You must be prepared for war at all times.

Helper 2: Man, I really think you have the wrong guys.  We’re just kids.  And besides, we don’t have an enemy.  I have never seen anyone trying to attack me.  

Sergeant: Your battle is not against people.  You are not fighting a human enemy; you are fighting the devil and his evil spirits.

Helper 1: We don’t know anything about fighting.

Sergeant: Very well, then.  I’ll have to train you.  The first step is to get your battle gear on. 

Helper 2: Alright!  We get to wear camouflage and combat boots!

Sergeant: Again, you are not fighting people.  So your clothes have nothing to do with your battle gear against the enemy.  You don’t need new clothes; you need the armor of God. 

Helper 1: What’s that?

Sergeant: It’s what you use to protect your mind, heart and spirit in the battle.  It’s the belt of truth, the armor of Godliness, the shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit. 

Helper 2: Where do we find this armor?  And how do we put it on?

Sergeant: I can tell we have lots to do, boys.  Come with me.

(The three exit). 

Teacher follow-up: Each one of us is in a battle.  If you’re living for the Lord, you’re in His army.  The devil is your enemy, but God has given you weapons to beat the devil.  God also tells us about special armor, or battle gear, that you can put on to protect yourself against the devil’s attacks.  Today and for the next few weeks we’re going to be talking about the armor of God.  Today’s power point says: Keep God’s battle gear on!  Wear what He gives you and protect yourself from the enemy.

Soaked in the Spirit

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…Acts 1:8 (NIV)

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39 (NIV)

Props: kiddie pool (filled with water) and small bucket of water,

2 volunteers (1 to get sprinkled with water, the other to get soaked)

• Throughout the Bible, we read about the Holy Spirit and His work. 
• Before Jesus, the Holy Spirit would “come upon” people and give them power to do special and great things for God. (Sprinkle first volunteer with water).
• Jesus told His followers that they would be filled with the Spirit.  In other words, they would not just receive His power on special occasions.  His power would be inside of them. 
• Another way Jesus explained it was that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit.  (“Baptize,” or soak second volunteer in the kiddie pool). 
• This is how God wants you to be filled, or baptized with the Holy Spirit—drenched in the Spirit, completely soaked in His power.
• Then you will “splash” onto others.  They will see and feel God’s power coming through you.  It will last and you will be changed forever!
• Be empowered by God’s Holy Spirit!

Snap Back!

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.  Exodus 20:16

Props: 4 rubber bands

Plan and practice this demonstration before class with two helpers (older teen or adult helpers).  Have one helper (“George”) begin by holding one rubber band. 

Today we’re talking about the importance of being truthful in all you say and do.  Let’s say this rubber band represents the truth.  And let’s just say that our friend George didn’t do his homework.  The truth is that he forgot.  But instead of being honest, he decides to try to “stretch” the truth.  (Invite a child up to “loop” a rubber band around the one held by “George”).  George thinks, “Well, my baby sister did open my backpack.”  So he stretches the truth and tells his teacher that his sister got into his backpack and ruined his papers.  George’s teacher asked, “Why didn’t you call the homework hotline and get it?”  He said, “My mom was on an important phone call all night.”  The truth is that his mom was on the phone for 15 minutes.  (Invite another child up to “loop” one more rubber band around the second rubber band held by “George.”  Then have the second helper begin to stretch out the rubber bands.)  Now you can see that George is adding to the truth and stretching it.  When you “stretch” the truth like that, it’s not the truth anymore.  It becomes a lie.  Finally, his teacher asked why he didn’t get a note from his mom.  He remembered that his mom mentioned her hand hurt.  So George told his teacher that his mom had a serious hand condition and couldn’t write.  (Invite another child up to “loop” one more rubber band around the third rubber band held by the helper.  Then have the second helper continue to stretch out the rubber bands.)  Later that day, his teacher asked George’s mom about her hand and if everything was okay, because she heard about the serious phone call that took all night.  All of George’s lies snapped right back at him!  (Have second helper let go of the rubber bands, snapping “George”).  His mom and teacher discovered that George lied by trying to stretch the truth.  He got in trouble at school and at home!   

            You can’t stretch the truth like that!  It will always come back at you and hurt you (and others) in the end.  Make up your mind to be truthful in everything you say and do and then you won’t get hurt by lies.  Don’t try to “stretch” the truth.  Just tell the honest truth.  Even if it might get you in trouble, it’s better in the beginning than to face worse trouble by lying!

            Remember, be truthful!

Simon Peter Says

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  1 Peter 5:8, 9

Begin this lesson portion by interrupting the teacher and insisting on a game of “Simon Peter Says.”  Lead the kids in a game of “Simon Peter Says,” following the normal rules of “Simon Says.”  Throughout the game, have another worker move in and out of the audience, trying to distract the kids.  When the game is over, declare the winner and give him/her a prize.  Then continue on with the lesson. 

The winner of “Simon Peter Says” won because she was paying very close attention to everything I said and did.  If she wasn’t paying attention, she wouldn’t have won.  Everyone else became distracted by other things and other people.  

            We called this game “Simon Peter Says” because Simon Peter, a disciple of Jesus, wrote some very important words in the Bible about being attentive.  In 1 Peter 5:8, 9, Peter wrote, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  The devil is walking around, looking for people who aren’t paying attention.  He wants to talk them into doing things that are wrong and thinking things that aren’t true.  If he can talk you into believing things that aren’t true, because you aren’t paying attention, then he can get you away from God.  Pay close attention and don’t let the devil distract you from doing right and believing the truth.  Don’t let him catch you off-guard.  Attentiveness is watching closely and listening carefully to God and others. 

Shipwrecked

[Love] always protects… 1 Corinthians 13:7

Props: 4-5 chairs (lined up front to back), oars, life vests, “water” to surround the “boat,” and any other “nautical” looking props available

Four or five workers are paddling their way along on a pleasant boat ride when one decides he wants a view of the ocean water—from the bottom of the boat.  He commences to reveal his plan to cut a hole in the bottom of the boat to better assist him in seeing the ocean water.  The others highly discourage such a plan with vehement protests (e.g., “What are you doing?!”  “Are you crazy?” “We’re all in the same boat, man,” ”Don’t do this—you’ll hurt us all!”).  Undaunted by their remarks, he commences with his plan.  The boat sinks, much to the dismay of the others, who are now stranded at sea.

This boat sank because someone who was in it destroyed it.  The damage had nothing to do with an outsider attacking.  I know that this skit is silly, but it can help us learn about something very serious.  Not all problems come from other people.  Sometimes the biggest problem people have is themselves.  Some of your friends might want to do or try things that could hurt them, like taking drugs, drinking or smoking.  Some kids watch things on TV or on the computer that they shouldn’t.  Maybe they even cut themselves or hurt themselves some other way.  It is your job as a friend to protect them from those things.  The Bible says, “[Love] always protects…”  That means you’re not just going to ignore those who are hurting themselves or who could hurt themselves or others. 

If you know someone who is doing or talking about dangerous things, you can help protect him by (1) trying to talk him out of it, and (2) telling an adult you can trust.  You’re not being a tattle-tale when you tell on someone who is doing something dangerous.  Love always protects.  Sometimes it’s not easy, but that’s what true love is all about.           

Save the People

…he who wins souls is wise.  Proverbs 11:30

Props: 6 – 8 signs representing different interest groups (Rescue the whales, save the trees, save the courthouse, etc.); one sign that reads “Save the people.” 

Presentation:  Have a helper ready to hold each sign, and maybe even chant its slogan before you begin teaching. 

            Have you ever seen any signs like this around town or maybe on the news?  (Allow for response).  Have you ever seen people in big groups act like this?  (Allow for response).  There are people all over the country, and even people all over the world, who fight to rescue everything from trees to alligators to old buildings they don’t want to see torn down.    But there is one thing you don’t see very often:  people trying to save people.  (Hold up the “save the people” sign).  People get concerned about trying to save everything around us, but not so worried about each other.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to take care of our world and our environment, but we can’t ever forget how important people are.  See, thousands of people die every day who don’t know about God or His love.  When they die like that, they die forever.  Those who accept God’s love will die in their body, but their soul and spirit will live forever with God.  The Bible says, “he who wins souls is wise.”  Winning souls means telling people about God and introducing them to Him.  People who do that are truly wise.  They know that there’s nothing that needs to be saved more than people’s souls. 

            Think about your friends and family who don’t know God.  Be wise and tell them the truth that can save their soul!

Sandpaper or Soft Cloth: How Do You Rub Others?

Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

Props:  piece of medium sandpaper and piece of silky material

            You will be blessed if you are strong in God and gentle with others.   Your attitude toward others makes all the difference in the world.  Some people have sandpaper attitudes and others have silky attitudes.  What’s the difference?  Well, to explain that, I need a volunteer.  (Choose a volunteer to join you on the stage.  Instruct him to hold out his arm.  Lightly rub it with the sandpaper.)  How does that make you feel?  Does it feel wonderful?  Couldn’t you just wear an outfit made out of this stuff?  How about using it to wash your face with?  (Allow volunteer to respond.  Then begin to rub his arm with the silky material.)  Now how does that feel?  Wouldn’t you like to wear that around all day?  Of course!  There is a big difference between sandpaper and silk, and there is a big difference in how it makes you feel.

            Your attitude is the same way: It can be like sandpaper or like silk.  If you’re always rough with people, calling them names and pushing them around, being rude to them or even just not saying anything at all, your attitude is like sandpaper.  God will not bless you if you’re rough with people.  But you can also have an attitude of silk.  You can be gentle with people, loving them and making them feel better by saying kind things.  You can be friendly to those who need it the most.  And most importantly, you can decide to have an attitude of silk even with people who have a sandpaper attitude.  When other people treat you unkindly, you can return it with kindness.  God will bless you if you have an attitude of silk, if you are gentle with others.  Make up your mind to be strong in God and gentle with others.

Same Old Stuff Repackaged

…whatever is right…think about such things. Philippians 4:8

I will set before my eyes no vile thing.
       The deeds of faithless men I hate;
       they will not cling to me.

Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
       I will have nothing to do with evil.  Psalm 101:3,4

Props: plastic bag filled with trash, gift bag and tissue paper, bow, pictures of witches, etc., Harry Potter books**

(Display plastic bag filled with trash).  As you can see, I have here a bag of trash.  There’s nothing unusual about it; it’s just common, ordinary trash.  But if you watch closely, it’s going to change before your very eyes.  It will become beautiful.  In fact, some of you may even want to take it home with you and hang it on your wall.  Here we go… (Wrap the trash inside tissue paper and place it in a gift bag.  Put a bow on the bag).  Voilá!  It’s completely different.  Now who wants it?  Beautifully packaged and decorated debris!

(Another worker interrupts and finishes lesson). You can’t do that!  That trash hasn’t changed a bit.   It’s just wrapped in a different package.  (Open gift bag and reveal that trash hasn’t changed).  See?  No difference at all.  Same old stuff repackaged. 

Kids, this reminds me of what many people do with sin.  (Hold up picture of witch).  What is this?  (Allow for response).  This witch practices witchcraft, casting spells and praying to the devil.  Witchcraft is wrong because people use it to try to get power from the devil instead of from God.  They try to go around God instead of going to Him.  Is that okay to do?  Of course not.

People today have “repackaged” witchcraft in many ways.  One of those ways is to make up stories about it that seem innocent.  (Hold up Harry Potter book).  Harry Potter is a kid that practices casting spells and trying to use a power that is not from God.  So is that okay?  (Allow for response.  If necessary, lead in a brief discussion, answering the kids’ questions).**

God says in His Word to think about what is right.  In other words, fill your mind with what God says is good.  God says to go to Him alone for power.  So let the books that you read be focused on Him!

**If you choose to address material other than Harry Potter, bring props to emphasize your specific subject matter and modify the lesson accordingly.

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