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

Who’s On First?

Props: 4 objects of varying value, 1 “concert ticket” to see a popular singer, 1 piece of construction paper with the name “God” written on it

 ”You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 (NIV)

         Introduce the lesson with the following activity:  Choose 2 boys and 2 girls to represent their team.  Give each one 6 tags labeled as follows:  5 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 year, 1 lifetime.  Tell them that you are going to place several objects/names in front of them.  They have to label the objects according to how much time they would work for each object/person.  Give them a time limit and allow them to label each object.  The other team members can offer suggestions. 

             Some things are more valuable to you than other things.  One way to check the importance of something in your life is to ask yourself how much you’re willing to give up to get it. 

(Discuss the activity and the kids’ response.  Briefly talk about each object and its relative value to the others.)   

            There are people who would give up all of their free time and work their whole life to get the car of their dreams, but they wouldn’t give 10 minutes a day to talk to God. 

Today’s power point says:  Put God first!  God gave this commandment to us because He alone is the true God.  There is no other besides Him and none other that deserves all of your love.  Don’t give all your time and energy to things and trying to chase after people.  Put God first in your life.  He is the only one who deserves your all.  Say today’s power point with me.  (Repeat the power point with the kids.)

You’re in for a Shock!

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God… Exodus 20:7

 Props: extension cord, a hair dryer (or another small electrical appliance)

 Electricity is an important part of our everyday lives.  We need it, but must be very careful how we use it!  If you use electricity correctly, it can make your life so much easier.  Look at how well this hair dryer runs with electricity.  Every day I use this to style my hair and dry it quickly.  In fact, electricity is so powerful that it not only runs this hair dryer, but all the lights in my house, the fridge, the air conditioner, fans, my toaster, vacuum cleaner, washing machine and dryer—practically everything!  There is great power in electricity. 

For that very reason, there is also great danger in electricity.  It can be so useful and great, but also very dangerous.  While it powers most of my house, if I’m not careful it could also shock me, seriously hurt me or even kill me!  I use electricity, but I don’t play around with it.  I’m very careful to use it in the right way always to be careful when I’m near electrical outlets, cords, or appliances run by electricity.

God’s name is the same way: it is very powerful and you can call upon His name and see miracles happen.  God wants you to use His name is worship, in prayer, and in respectful conversation with others.  He wants you to call out to Him and speak His name lovingly.

Remember also that God’s name is powerful and—like electricity—must be used very carefully.  God said that anyone who misuses His name will be punished.  Anyone who uses God’s name as a curse, who speaks God’s name jokingly, who throws around God’s name in meaningless conversation, will be punished.  God is holy and powerful, and His name is holy and powerful.  You have to watch how you use His name. 

You may use God’s name, you should use God’s name, but be careful how you use it!  You should always speak God’s name in love and with respect.  Respect God’s name!

It Can’t See You

You shall not make for yourself an idol…Exodus 20:4

Props: football, jersey, pictures of football players, crowds at games, etc.

God’s second command to us is to not make any idols.  An idol is anything that you love and focus on more than God.  Sometimes people get caught up in idolatry because of all the excitement.  For example, think about sports: it’s fun, it’s exciting, the games are great.  It’s easy to get excited about sports.  And it’s okay to get excited about sports, but you should never get more excited about sports than you do about God. 

(Hold up football).  Can this football see you?  (Show pictures of players).  Do these players really know about your life?  (Show pictures of crowds at games).  These people may cheer for the same team, but do they really care about you? 

God is the God who sees you.  He knows all about you.  He sees every moment of your life and he cares about everything going on in your world.  He is always there for you.  It’s okay to get excited about sports, but put God first because God sees you, knows you and cares about your life.

It Can’t Save You

You shall not make for yourself an idol…Exodus 20:4

Props: large bills of fake money, large “piggy” bank (or any child’s money bank)

            One idol that people often make for themselves is money.  God gives us money to get things we need, but people get greedy and want more money.  Or they think money will solve all their problems.  Lots of people try to save all the money they can because they think that money will save them.  Money can’t save you!  Your problems are never solved by loads of money.  Your biggest problem is sin, being separated from God, and only God can save you from your sins. 

            When you care about money more than God, it becomes an idol.  When you trust money more than you trust God, it becomes an idol.  Money can buy you things, but it can never forgive you for your sins or give you eternal life in Heaven.  That’s why you need to put God first—only He can save you!  Remember, put God first and never let money become an idol in your life.

It Can’t Hear You

You shall not make for yourself an idol…Exodus 20:4

Props: TV, video game controllers

There are all kinds of idols that people worship.  One thing people worship is a favorite hobby, like watching TV, playing video games or listening to music (or maybe all of that!).  We all like to watch TV and listen to our favorite music.  It’s important to be careful that these things don’t become idols, that we don’t put them above God or give more of ourselves to them than we do to God. 

Think about it: you spend so much time watching TV and listening to music, but can those things hear you?  No way!  That’s the trouble with things that we make idols—we give so much of our time and energy watching and listening to these things that can’t even hear us when we talk.  God deserves our very best time because He alone is God and He actually hears us.  When we talk to Him in prayer He hears us and answers us!   

Every day you have a choice: worship God or worship idols.  Choose to put God first, because God hears you when you call out to Him. He listens and He will answer your prayers!

Honor with Your Heart

Honor your father and your mother.  Exodus 20:12

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:20, 23, 24

Props: two pieces of fruit that both look good, one fresh and one rotten

            (Read Exodus 20:12).

Maybe you’re thinking, “Cool, I’ve got this commandment down.  I always do what my parents tell me.”  And that’s great; you should be obedient!  But that’s just part of honoring your parents.  To honor your parents means to obey them with a good attitude.  It’s not enough to just do what they say.  You have to have a good attitude, too. 

            Some of you may think it doesn’t matter what your attitude is like, but that’s the most important thing.  Look at these pieces of fruit.  (Show fruit).  Don’t they both look so nice?  It looks like you could just bite into either of these fruits and enjoy them.  But let’s take a closer look.  (Cut into each piece of fruit, commenting on its inward appearance).  Even though both pieces of fruit look nice, one is fresh and one is rotten.  It really matters what’s on the inside!   

            Colossians 3 says, “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”  When your parents ask you to do something, you should do it as if Jesus himself asked you to do it.  You should clean your room like you’re cleaning it for Jesus.  You should do your homework as if God Himself is asking you to do it.  You should share with your brother or sister as if God is telling you to. 

            When you obey your parents with a good attitude, you are like this fresh piece of fruit.  Your heart is right before God.  But when you have a bad attitude, even if you do what your parents say, your heart looks like this rotten piece of fruit to God. 

            God wants you to obey, but He is also concerned about the attitude of your heart.  Are you obeying just to stay out of trouble, or are you obeying because you truly honor your parents and God?

Remember, honor your parents.  Honoring means to obey with a good attitude and from your heart!

Honor by Helping

Honor your father and your mother.  Exodus 20:12

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.  Proverbs 10:1

Props: backpack (stuffed with paper to appear heavy)

As you teach this lesson, carry a “heavy” backpack on your shoulders.  Have a helper follow you around and lift/push down the backpack at alternating times.

            Your parents have a tough job!  When you were a baby, they rocked you, fed you and got up with you in the middle of the night.  (Not to mention what they had to do when you had a dirty diaper!)  They have to work and make sure the bills get paid.  They make your meals and clean up the house.  Your parents make sure you have clean clothes to wear, that you have your homework done and that you get to school.  They are responsible for teaching you, providing for you and protecting you as best they can. 

            The Bible teaches us to honor our parents.  One way to honor them is by doing your part to help them.  (Helper begins following you around and lifting/pushing down on the backpack at your cues).  My helper here can do one of two things while he’s following me around: he can either lift up my backpack and make it easier for me to walk, or he can push down on it and make it harder. 

            When you listen to and obey your parents and have a good attitude, you make it easier for them to do their job—especially if you do what you need to do without being asked.  But if you are disobedient, disrespectful and rude you make it harder for your parents.  If you don’t clean your room when you should, they have to stop what they need to be doing to remind you.  If you are fighting with your brothers and sisters, they have to constantly correct you and it puts added pressure on them.  What about if you argue with your parents?  That can add loads of stress on them! 

The Bible says that a wise [child] brings joy to his [parents], so bring joy to your parents by doing your part through obedience with a great attitude!

God’s Fence of Protection

Props: small garden fence or picture of a fence

Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time. Deuteronomy 4:40 (NIV)

Deuteronomy 11; 28

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

            Today we will begin learning about the Ten Commandments.  Long ago, when God brought His people out of a land of slavery, He knew they would need a list of rules to follow.  He loved them so much that He wrote the rules down on stone tablets and gave them to Moses, the leader of the people.  God loved the people so much that He gave them rules.  Many of you may think that rules are mean or unfair.  How can rules be a sign of love? 

            To help you understand, look at this fence.  Let’s say I have young children who like to play in the yard.  I want to put a fence up to make sure they stay in the yard.  Otherwise, they might run out in the street and get hit by a car.  So if I put a fence up in my yard, does that mean I don’t love my children?  (Allow for response).  Of course not!  It’s because I do love my children that I want to put a fence up. 

            God’s commandments are like a fence.  Some people think God is only trying to keep us from doing what we want to and having fun when He gives us commandments.  That’s not true.  God loves us and He wants to keep us from getting hurt.  So He gives us rules to live by; those rules will keep us safe. 

            As we study the commandments, remember that they are God’s fence of protection for our lives.  If we live by them, we’ll be safe.

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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