Props: duct tape, signs reading “bad reputation,” “guilt,” “sin,” “criminal record”

“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15 (NIV)

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28 (NIV)

            Have a helper come out as Stuey Sticky Fingers, a character covered in inside-out duct tape.  (At least cover both hands past the wrist and place a couple of strips of tape around the chest/back).  As he enters the room, he passes by children and “steals” their things by picking them up with his “sticky” hands.  Interrupt him and ask him to introduce himself, which he proudly does.  When you confront him about stealing things, he insists he isn’t stealing anything; rather, things just “stick” to him.  Inform him that there are other “things” sticking to him as well.  He gets all excited, like he has more stuff.  Take out signs that say BAD REPUTATION, GUILT, SIN, CRIMINAL RECORD.  Place each one on Stuey and discuss how these things will stick to him as well.  He looks more upset with each one and begins to protest and whine/cry, asking you to remove them.  Tell him the only way to get rid of them is to return the items, ask the people for forgiveness and ask God for forgiveness (which he does).  End the skit by removing Stuey’s duct tape.

Now then, my sons, listen to me;
       pay attention to what I say.

Do not let your heart turn to her ways
       or stray into her paths.

Many are the victims she has brought down;
       her slain are a mighty throng.

Her house is a highway to the grave,
       leading down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 7:24-27 (NIV)

Props: road signs, picture of road (painted with yellow and white lines)

            Most of you haven’t started driving yet, but when you’re with adult drivers you know that they have to pay careful attention to the road, the other cars, the signs and the traffic lights.  (Display stop sign).  Who can tell me what this means?  (Allow for response).  Right!  A stop sign means “stop.”  It’s important for drivers to pay attention to stop signs and all other traffic signs on the road.  A driver who is not paying attention could miss the stop sign, hurt himself and hurt others, maybe even killing them. 

Even the little things that you may not think about are still important.  (Display picture of road).  For example, the yellow lines in the middle of the road let the driver know whether or not it’s safe to pass another car.  So drivers have to pay attention, even to the details.  It could mean life or death.

It’s important to pay attention to the details in every area of your life.  The Bible says that paying attention to the Law of the Lord, the Bible and all that God teaches us, will keep us away from danger.  Paying attention to God’s Law will help to keep us safe and under His protection.  Not paying attention and disobeying God is like running a stop sign or a red light—it could mean death.  Pay close attention to what God has to say, just like you would pay attention to the signs on the road if you were driving.

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.

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.

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!

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. 

Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live!  Amos 5:14 

Props: teddy bear and picture of black or grizzly bear, cigarette ad and alcohol ad 

            I’ll never forget one time when I was on vacation in the mountains.  The mountains were beautiful and there were lots of tourists who would visit.  There were many parks set up for the tourists to stop and have picnics.  But they weren’t the only ones who liked to eat there.  There were also many black bears in the area.  (Display pictures of bears).  There were many signs up that read: Danger!  Don’t feed the bears!  Beware of bears!  The park rangers had to post signs because people didn’t realize that bears can be dangerous. 

            People forget how dangerous bears can be because a bear looks cute.  And when everyone is little they have teddy bears.  (Display teddy bear).  Isn’t it cute?  It couldn’t hurt anyone!  Bears must be so loving and cuddly and fun to play with, right?  Well, teddy bears might be cute, but real bears are wild animals that are capable of badly hurting or even killing someone.

            There are many things in the world that are dangerous, things that can hurt your body, your mind, your feelings and your relationship with God.  There are things like cigarettes that could kill you.  But the people who make cigarettes try to make them look cool so people will try them and get addicted.  (Display cigarette ad).  Does this cigarette look dangerous in this picture?  Of course not—but it hurts a person’s lungs every time he or she smokes one.  God acts like the park rangers who warn tourists about bears when He says in the Bible, “…run from evil…”  (Display alcohol ad).  Don’t these people look like they’re having a great time?  They’re drinking alcohol.  And what the alcohol companies don’t say in the ad is that over 17,000 people die each year in our country from alcohol-related car accidents.  (Insert current statistic for your area).  Drinking alcohol doesn’t make life more fun, it can be very dangerous—even deadly. 

            There are many dangerous things that the devil will try to make look good.  He will try to get you to think there’s nothing dangerous about gossip, disrespect, rudeness, bad movies, drugs, and many other things.  But it’s like the prophet Amos taught the people; if you do evil, you will get caught.  So the key is to keep running in the right direction.  And running in the right direction means running toward God and away from evil.  Think about the bears and stay away!

[Love] is not rude… 1 Corinthians 13:5

 Props: oversized mismatched and ugly clothing

             (As you teach this lesson, gradually put the ugly clothing over your own).  We were created by God to be like Him.  The Bible says that God is love.  So if God is loving, then we should be ______ (Allow the children to “fill in the blank”).  Something about true love is that it looks good on.  Today I’m wearing an outfit that looks good on.  It fits me.  It matches.  That’s the way it is with love.  We were meant to love others, so when we do, it “looks good on.” 

But sometimes we choose not to show love to others.  Instead of saying or doing courteous and respectful things, we choose to speak or act rudely toward others.  Rude words and behavior cover the love of God inside of you, like the clothes I’m putting on cover the nice outfit.  Rudeness will make you look bad.  It will keep others away from you.  None of you would want to go out looking like this.  In the same way, you shouldn’t go out “wearing” rudeness.  It just doesn’t look good.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV)

 Props: 4 dark balloons, marker, pin, 4 paper hearts—2 dark and 2 white

 Preparation: Stuff 4 dark balloons with paper hearts–2 dark and 2 white.  Blow up the balloons and tie them.  Label each balloon with the name of the corresponding action.  

 Read 1 Corinthians 4:5 aloud and explain as needed.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Oh, no!  I don’t want Jesus to judge everything I’ve done.  I’ve done some pretty bad things.”  The truth is, all of us have messed up.  We’re all human.  The good news is that Jesus looks past what we do, and He sees our heart.  Let me show you what I’m talking about.

(Display balloon labeled “Burned counter”).  Once there was a little girl who loved to help her mother.  One day while she was walking through the kitchen, she noticed that a pot of corn was on the stove and it was about to burn.  Wanting to help, she took the pot off the stove and put it on the countertop.  The pot was still very hot, and it burned the counter.  She didn’t mean to, she was just trying to help.  Jesus sees past the burnt counter, and he looks to the heart.  (Pop balloon and display white heart).  Her heart was pure and right.  That’s what counts.       

            (Display balloon labeled “Cleaned house”).  There was also a little boy who cleaned the whole house for his mother one day.  That seems like a very nice, thoughtful thing to do.  Let’s see how his heart looks.  (Pop balloon and display dark heart).  What?!  His heart is dark—that means that what he did will be judged as bad.  Why would that be?  It seems that the only reason he cleaned the house was to get money out of his mom and to be allowed to go to his friend’s house.  He wasn’t interested in helping at all.  In fact, he had a bad attitude.  So, all of his cleaning will amount to nothing. 

            (Display 2 balloons, each labeled “Read Bible”).  Here we have a boy and a girl who each read their Bible.  Surely they will both be judged the same, right?  They did the same exact thing!  Let’s find out.  (Pop “boy’s” balloon and display white heart).  The boy came out good!  Jesus is pleased with Him.  He read his Bible every day because He wanted to make God happy and learn how to live for Him and do what’s right.  The girl…(pop balloon and display dark heart)…well, she didn’t do so well.  Jesus isn’t pleased with her because the only reason she read her Bible was to get more points than her friends in Sunday school class.  Her actions were good, but her reason for doing them wasn’t. 

            Jesus is our Judge.  He is the one who will look at all we’ve done and decide whether it’s good or bad.  He looks at the heart.       

 Do not lie to each other… Colossians 3:9

 Props: can of soup, large (serving) spoon, gallon of water, six bowls

             When you think about lies, you probably think about things you may say that are completely opposite the truth.  Today, though, we’re going to talk about how a true story can easily become a lie.  One of the ways to change a true story into a lie is by exaggerating.  Exaggerating is adding things to the story to make it more than what it was.  The problem is that if you keep adding to the story, it’s not the truth any more. 

            Let me show you what I mean:  Years ago, there was a great depression in this country.  Many people didn’t have jobs, so they didn’t have enough money to buy food.  Often they would buy just a little food, then add to it to try and make it stretch.  For example, a mother might take a can of soup like this and try to make it feed 6 people.  (Display soup and distribute it among the bowls, adding water as you speak).  She would add water to it.  Then she might have to keep adding water until each bowl was filled.  (Hold up a bowl).  Is this the same as the soup in the can?  (Allow for response).  No!  This is more like flavored water. 

Adding to the truth has the same effect as adding to the soup: in the end, it’s not the same.  And adding to the truth, or exaggerating, is so easy to do.  Think about the times you don’t feel so well at school.  Most of the time you are still well enough to stay in school, but it’s so easy to tell your teacher and the nurse that you feel worse than you really do, just so you can go home.  Maybe your friends ask you how many video games you have.  You want to seem cool, so you tell them that you have boxes full, when really you only have a few.  Saying you were awake all night at your friend’s slumber party, when you know you slept some, is exaggerating, and it’s also a lie. 

            Remember that honesty is being truthful in everything you say and do.  Make up your mind today that you are going to be honest and tell the truth—without adding to it.