The Lie of “Partial” Truth

 Do not lie to each other… Colossians 3:9

 Props:  newspaper, large piece of poster board, scissors and glue

             One way to tell a lie is to add to the truth.  Another way to tell a lie is to take away from the truth, or not tell the whole story.  Let’s say that your mom gives you permission to go to your cousin’s house just down the street, but tells you not to go to Brian’s house.  So you head for your cousin’s house, stop in to say “hi,” stay for five minutes, and then go to Brian’s house for an hour.  When you get home and your mom asks you where you were, you could truthfully say that you went to your cousin’s house.  But if that’s all you tell her, you are lying, because you didn’t tell her the whole truth. 

            (Display newspaper).  Think about it like this: I just read an incredible story in the paper.  (Read a short article from the paper).  But look what happens when I take out some of the story.  (Cut out a few key words and phrases that, when omitted, will change the story).  The whole story is different.  It’s not the truth anymore. 

            The same thing happens when you leave out parts of the story: the story becomes a lie.  Honesty is being truthful in everything you say and do.  Practice being honest by telling the whole truth.        

The Vase

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6

 Props: two identical glass vases, one in its original condition and the other “glued” together

             Once there was a little girl whose mother gave her a glass vase.  The vase was ordinary, but it was special to the girl because it was a gift from her mother.  She kept the vase on the dresser in her room, but when it got dusty she would carry it to the kitchen sink to wash it.  One day as she walked into the kitchen with the vase, she tripped and dropped the vase, and it broke into dozens of pieces.  (Hide the vase)  The little girl was so sad because the vase was so special to her.  Her father walked in and saw the mess.

            “Dad, what am I going to do?” she asked.

            “You’ll have to throw the pieces away.  They’re dangerous and they might hurt you,” replied her father.

            “Can’t we fix it?” asked the girl.

            The father knew that fixing it would take a long time, but he agreed to help her fix it.  He knew how much that vase meant to her.  They worked for hours, finding pieces and figuring out how they all fit together.  Finally, the vase was fixed.  The girl was so happy to have her vase back.  She put it once again on her dresser to look at and enjoy.  (Display second vase).

            When someone messes up, or “falls,” and makes a mistake, it is up to you what you’re going to do about it.  If you love them, like the little girl loved her vase, you’ll try to help them get back together again.  You’ll go to God and let Him fix their problems.

            If you don’t love them, you won’t care that they’ve made a mistake and their life might be falling apart.  You’ll give up on them or worse yet, be happy that they’re making so many mistakes. 

            If you really love someone, you’ll help them make things right when they’ve made a mistake.  You’ll ask God to help them get their life back together.  True love wants others to be their very best.

Turn Your Thoughts Outward

…Whatever is lovely…think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

 Props: binoculars

             As you begin your lesson, a helper comes out with a pair of binoculars.  He is frustrated because the binoculars aren’t bringing anything closer into view.  Point out to him that he is holding them the wrong way.  As he exits, continue teaching the kids.

             Our friend seemed to have a problem keeping the binoculars pointed in the right direction.  He kept pointing them toward himself, but they don’t work that way.  Binoculars have to be pointed away from you before they will work. 

            It is very easy for us to keep our thoughts always pointed toward ourselves.  But if we want to fill our minds with better things, we are going to have to look away from ourselves and keep our focus on God and on helping others.  Ask yourself what others may need and how you can help.  Pray for others.  Do favors for those around you.  Get your mind off of yourself all the time and look around to others.  Fill your mind with better things, and let it start with the good things that you can do for others.   

Not-So-Strong Man

Props: a “barbell” with 500 lb foam “weights” attached to each side, balloons

Preparation:  place the barbell on center stage before the service begins, stuff the strongman’s costume with balloons to make them appear as muscles

            Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I now announce to you the world’s strongest man.  He can do anything!  Today, as an especially super feat of strength, he will lift 1,000 pounds off the ground right before your very eyes. 

Strong man commences “pumping himself up.”  He then, with feigned great strain, slowly and deliberately lifts the barbell off the ground and over his head.  He holds it for 2 – 3 seconds and quickly lets it down. 

           Child: Excuse me, Mr. Strongman.  Are you really strong? 

            Strongman:  Of course, I am.  You saw me lift this barbell, right? 

            Child: You mean this barbell?  (Child lifts barbell with ease and puts it back down). 

             Strongman: (stammering) Well…well, look at these muscles.

            Child: Oh, these?  (pops them with a pin)

 Strongman shrieks and covers his arms as if exposed and runs off stage.  Child shrugs and follows.   

Teacher follow-up:  Lying is not only a sin, but it can also be very embarrassing when you get caught.  Lies will always catch up with you.  Somehow, somewhere, someone is going to find out the truth.  And you don’t want to be the one other people know as “the liar.”  It may make you seem cool to talk about who you are, what you have and how much you know, but if you’re lying you’ll only end up completely embarrassed.  Honesty is being truthful in everything you say and do

Whose Is It, Anyway?

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)

 Props: bag of candy

             (As you begin speaking, distribute the candy.  At first, give each child one piece.  Then give about half the children two or three pieces.)  We’re going to give out the treats a little early today.  Be sure to save these for when you get home.  

            When we give you these treats, it is to reward you for your behavior.  Do we have to give you treats to make you behave?  Of course not; you should behave because that is what you are supposed to do!  But we like to give you goodies, so that is why there is candy every week. 

            (Continue teaching and wait for the mumbling to begin about being skipped or given unequal amounts).  I hear some of you complaining.  You don’t think it’s fair that some people around you got extra candy and you didn’t.  You’re probably thinking, “Wait a second.  I’ve been just as good as some of these kids.  I’ve been even better than some of those who got extra candy.” 

            I want you to think about something.  Who does the candy belong to?  (Allow for response).  Right, it’s our candy.  So we can do with it whatever we want to.  It’s not for you to complain when you don’t get something that belongs to someone else.  Don’t worry about what is fair. 

            God gives gifts to all kinds of people.  There are some people who receive God’s love and you may not even think they deserve it.  But those things are God’s to give, not ours.  So instead of worrying about what’s fair, be thankful for all of the wonderful things you have received from God—even when you didn’t deserve it.

Let It Get Close

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Romans 12:10-11 (NIV)

Props: map and pen

*Contextualize this lesson by using as an example a natural disaster that could happen in your area: tornado, flood, etc. 

            All of us know what a hurricane is: a huge storm that forms in the water and can travel to land, bringing rain, high winds and sometimes tornados with it.  Right now we are in hurricane season, the time of year when a hurricane can form easily.  If a hurricane travels to land, it may destroy trees, houses, buildings, cars and might even kill people.

(Use the pen to outline a “hurricane” in the ocean, far from your city).  When meteorologists first see hurricanes, they are usually far away, maybe out in the ocean or near some islands.  No one here really thinks much about it, because it is still far away.  It may be pounding some island down to the ground, destroying homes and killing people, but not too many people here really think about it.  So no one does anything:  no one collects food or water, no one gets flashlights ready or thinks of where they are going to go.  The storm is still far away and not affecting our lives.  You might be that way in your life.  People all around you are going through tough times, but if it’s not affecting you, you may not care enough to do something about it. 

(Use the pen to outline the movement of the “hurricane” close to your city).  We all know that hurricanes don’t stay in the same place:  they move, sometimes quickly.  Things change when a hurricane moves.  And people change: their whole attitude about the storm changes when it comes near them.  If this storm moves and comes right near our city, people would suddenly board up their houses, buy food and water, check their flashlights and think of an emergency plan if they suddenly have to leave town.  This storm would instantly become important to everyone nearby. 

The big difference in their attitude is that suddenly the storm is near to them.  They can see it and feel it, so they want to do something about it.  Sometimes the reason why you’re not willing to do things is because you don’t see and feel the need.  If you hear about a hungry child in another country, it may not bother you.  But if you were hungry, you’d want to get help right away.  Start caring about other people like you care about yourself.  It’s easy to ignore problems that are far away or that you can’t see or feel.  But having ambition means wanting something—wanting to help, wanting to make a difference, wanting to do something great for someone—and being willing to do what it takes to get it.

Kindness in Your Words

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  Proverbs 12:18

Props: fake sword, bandage (optional: chairs, notebooks to depict classroom scene)

One of the greatest ways you can show kindness is through the words you speak.  The Bible says, “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).  Let’s take a look at what that verse means. 

            *Have three helpers act out the story as you tell it.  Practice the actions beforehand. 

This is Jimmy.  Jimmy is a nice kid, but he doesn’t learn the same way as everyone else.  Sometimes he has trouble reading and writing.  He knows he’s different and it makes him feel very bad. 

            This is Crystal.  Crystal sits next to Jimmy in class.  One day she noticed him writing some letters incorrectly. 

Crystal (stabbing Jimmy with fake sword):  What’s wrong with you?  You should know how to write your letters by now! 

            Jimmy puts his head down. 

             Remember, reckless words piece like a sword.  Jimmy won’t bleed on the outside, but he will be very hurt on the inside even if he doesn’t show it.  Words can cause very real pain.  So instead of hurting others with our words, we should use our words to show kindness to others. 

            Parker (wrapping a “bandage” around the sword wound): Don’t worry about it.  You’ll get it.  I’ll help you.  Just because you learn differently doesn’t mean you’re not as good.  Let’s work on this together. 

            When you show kindness through your words, you are helping to bring healing to others.  You will make them feel better about themselves and help them get through tough times in their life.  Your words are powerful and they can bring help and life to others.  Show kindness in your words and let the fruit of kindness grow in your life.

It’s All In the Attitude (skit)

No matter what happens, always be thankful… 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (TLB)

 

Begin with the following skit:  Two children enter, each holding an envelope.  The first child looks disappointed, the second looks excited.

 

First child: Hey.  What are you so excited about?

Second child: Today’s my birthday and I got a card from my grandparents.

First child:  Oh really?  My birthday is this week, too, and I got a card from my grandparents.

Second child:  That’s cool.  Mine sent me some money.

First child: Yeah, mine too.

Second:  I’m going to have lots of fun spending this money.

First:  Good for you.  I don’t think I can have any fun with what they sent me.

Second:  Oh, I can’t wait.  I’m going to buy a toy or two, then maybe some candy.  Or I could rent a movie and have all my friends over.

First:  Well, invite me over, would you?  Cause I’m not going to get to go anywhere; I hardly got anything at all.

Second:  This is more money than I make in a month’s allowance.

First:  I made more than this picking my neighbor’s weeds.

Second: My grandparents must really love me.  They sent me this money just because it’s my birthday.

First:  My grandparents probably just scraped the loose change up from underneath the couch cushions.  They don’t care about me.

Second:  This is such a great gift!

First:  This is the lousiest gift.

First and Second (to each other): So how much money did you get?   (Each pulls out a bill):   Ten dollars!!!

First: Boy, by the way you were talking, I thought you got a hundred!

Second:  Well, you made it sound like you got a dime!    (Both exit). 

 

Teacher follow-up:  These two children had one thing in common—they each received the same amount of money for their birthday.  The difference between the two is their attitude.  One has an attitude of thankfulness, the other does not.  In your life, many things will happen to you, both good and bad.  No matter what happens, you can still be thankful and filled with joy.  Your attitude will make the difference.  Thankfulness is being grateful for what God and others give to you.   We have received so many wonderful things from God and others.  Let’s be thankful for all our blessings.

Handle With Care

…honor others more than you do yourself. Romans 12:10

Props: various fragile items of sentimental value

There are some things I have that are more precious to me than other things.  (Display several items that are more important to you because of their sentimental value.  Briefly talk about each of the items.  Emphasize that their value comes from the relationship that you have with the people who gave them to you, and that these things can’t be replaced).

            I don’t just toss these things around like I would an old towel.  I take care of them.  I put my jewelry in a special box and my figurines go on a dresser or a shelf where they won’t get hurt.  If I have to pack them, I put something around them to keep them from chipping or breaking. 

            We should treat other people with just as much care as we would a figurine that might break easily.  God created each person and He said they are very precious to Him.  We need to treat others with respect and care because they are God’s creation. 

            How can we treat others carefully and put them before ourselves? 

1. See their value.  They are valuable because God created them.  Just as these items are valuable to me, people are valuable to God and we should remember that.
2. Care about others.  I care about these things because they are special to me.  We should care about others even more than things.  Care about their feelings and their needs. 
3. Treat them with respect.  I don’t just toss around these items.  We should be careful with others, also.  Don’t say mean things and don’t act rudely toward others.  Be gentle with them in your words and actions. 

 

Remember, put others before yourself and handle with care!

Don’t Take Away From the Truth (The Lie of “Partial” Truth)

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

 Props:  newspaper, large piece of poster board, scissors and glue

             You just learned that one way to tell a lie is to add to the truth.  Another way to tell a lie is to take away from the truth, or not tell the whole story.  Let’s say that your mom gives you permission to go to your cousin’s house just down the street, but tells you not to go to Brian’s house.  So you head for your cousin’s house, stop in to say “hi,” stay for five minutes, and then go to Brian’s house for an hour.  When you get home and your mom asks you where you were, you could truthfully say that you went to your cousin’s house.  But if that’s all you tell her, you are lying, because you didn’t tell her the whole truth. 

            (Display newspaper).  Think about it like this: I just read an incredible story in the paper.  (Read a short article from the paper).  But look what happens when I take out some of the story.  (Cut out a few key words and phrases that, when omitted, will change the story).  The whole story is different.  It’s not the truth anymore. 

            The same thing happens when you leave out parts of the story: the story becomes a lie.  Be truthful: Practice being truthful by telling the whole truth.        

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