Give It to God

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Props: large broken toy

            Once there was a little boy who had a favorite toy.  How many of you have a favorite toy?  (Allow for response).  One day as he was playing with his favorite toy, it broke.  He was so sad he almost cried.  All of you have had things go wrong in your life.  It might be that your family has split up, or fights all the time.  Maybe the kids who live around you call you names.  Maybe your parents do things that hurt you, or maybe they’re not even around at all.  Just like the little boy’s toy broke, all of us get a broken heart from time to time.  About that time his grandfather was walking by him and noticed his sadness. 

            “What’s wrong?” asked the grandfather. 

            “My favorite toy broke,” replied the boy.

            The grandfather offered to take it into his shop and fix it, but the little boy refused to leave it with him.  He said that if he left it, he didn’t know if he’d ever see it again. 

            “I promise to fix it and give it back to you,” said the grandfather.

            But the little boy didn’t believe him, and he held on to his broken toy.  God has said that He will take care of our problems if we will give them to Him and trust Him completely to take care of them.  You may be unsure that God will take care of your problems and fix them for you, so you choose to keep worrying about them.  Learn to trust God.  The next day, Grandpa came around again and asked about the toy.

            “It’s still broken,” answered the boy.

            “I’ll take it and fix it for you,” offered Grandpa.

            Finally, the boy agreed to let his grandfather take the toy.  But he had a hard time letting go of the toy and trusting Grandpa.  That night, after Grandpa had left his shop, the boy went in and took his toy back.  He put it on the shelf in his room and went to sleep.  Sometimes when you’ve prayed about things and asked for God’s help, the answer doesn’t come right away.  So you may think that God’s never going to answer.  Don’t give up, though.  Let God take care of the problem and don’t take it back from Him by continuing to worry.

            Early the next morning, Grandpa came into his grandson’s room and gently woke him up. 

            “I noticed your toy was missing from my shop.”

            “I’m sorry Grandpa,” said the little boy, “I didn’t think you’d take care of it.”

            Grandpa gently replied, “I can’t fix your toy until you trust me enough to let me have it.”

            “You’re right, Grandpa.  Take the toy.  If I keep it, it will only stay broken.  I can’t help the problem at all.  You take it and I trust you to fix it.”

            Grandpa did take the toy and sure enough, it was fixed within that very week.

            In the same way, you need to let God handle your problems.  Trust Him and believe that He is working everything out for you.  Know it and be sure in your heart.  God isn’t going to help you with your problems if you won’t let Him.  Give your problems to Him, knowing that He will do it.  Don’t give up!

Faith to Follow Instructions

We walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7

Props: bag of unpopped popcorn and bag of popped popcorn

*If possible, bring a microwave or popcorn maker into class to demonstrate as you speak.

All of you know what it’s like to be hungry for a snack.  It’s no fun to be hungry and have nothing to snack on.  But let’s see…I think I might have something here to eat…(take out bag of unpopped popcorn, from the microwave if you have one).  Oh, no.  All I have here is this bag of popcorn kernels.  I can’t eat popcorn kernels.  I guess I’ll just have to sit here and think about popcorn, because I’m certainly not going to fill up on kernels.  (Continue talking along the same lines until the kids suggest that you pop the popcorn).  Wait a second.  Are you trying to suggest that I can put the kernels into a microwave and they will turn into popcorn?  (Allow for response).  Let me see about this: (look on the bag) it says here to place in the microwave and I will have a bag of popcorn in just a few minutes.  I can’t believe that!  (Allow kids to respond).  Based on what this bag says and what you’re saying, I just need to put the bag in the microwave, turn on the microwave and in a few minutes I’ll have fresh popcorn.  Are you sure it will work?  (Allow for response).  Okay, I’ll give it a try.  

Because I have faith in the popcorn company, the kernels, the microwave and you, I’m going to follow the directions on the bag.  (Place bag in the microwave if you are using one.  While popcorn in popping, continue the lesson.  If you do not have a microwave, adapt the lesson accordingly.) 

My faith caused me to take action.  Sure enough, it looks like it’s working.  If I didn’t have faith in you and in the microwave and popcorn kernels, I wouldn’t have done anything. 

Your faith in God will cause you to take action.  When you truly trust Him and are really convinced that God is real and that everything He says is true, you will obey and worship Him.  You will do what His Word says.  You will follow Him.     

            Our popcorn is looking and smelling pretty good now.  We couldn’t see it before, and it didn’t make sense.  By by faith we took action and now we can see the results.  Faith means taking action.

Faith Means Taking Action

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

Props:  bag of seeds, glass jar filled with soil

            There’s nothing like fresh flowers to cheer you up when you need it.  I love flowers!  I wish I had some right now, but all I have is this bag of seeds.  The bag says that if I plant the seeds, flowers will grow in a few months.  I believe that.  I just don’t know if I really want to try it.  Should I try it?  (Allow for response).  Of course I should!

            It’s one thing to say I believe these seeds will grow; it’s another thing to actually plant them.  Believing is part of faith, but faith also means taking action.  By planting these seeds, taking care of them and watching for them to grow, I am showing that I have faith in the seeds and in what the package says. 

            Your faith in God will cause you to take action.  When you truly trust Him and are really convinced that God is real and that everything He says is true, you will obey and worship Him.  You will do what His word says.  You will follow Him.

            Noah had true faith in God.  He built an ark even when it wasn’t raining.  You can show your true faith in God by worshiping Him even when you can’t see Him, by talking to Him even when you can’t hear Him talking out loud to you and by obeying Him even when you don’t feel like it. 

            If I continue to put my faith in action by taking care of these seeds, they will grow and become beautiful flowers one day.  By faith we take action and one day we will see the results.  Faith means taking action.

Faith Means Getting Involved

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  James 2:17

 

Skit: Siamese Twins

(Siamese Twins enter, walking together as though they are attached.  They are each wearing a T-shirt or nametag, one printed “Faith” and the other “Works.”)

Faith: Hi, I’m Faith.

Works: And I’m Works.  And we’re…

Faith and Works:  Siamese Twins.

Faith:  That means we’re joined together.

Works:  Yep, can’t be separated.

Faith:  Nope.  But it sure would make my life easier.

Works:  What do you mean, make your life easier?  You wouldn’t have a life if it weren’t for me.

Faith:  Don’t remind me.  If we could be separated, I could just rest and go on believing for the best.  All you do is work, work, work. 

Works:  All you do is believe, believe, believe.  You never do anything.

Faith:  Without me, you could never dream big things. You wouldn’t have anything to do. 

Works:  Well, without me, you’d never do all the things you dream about. 

Faith:  I guess neither one of us could survive without the other. 

Works:  You’re right.  What do you say we work together and do great things? 

Faith:  I couldn’t agree more.  Let’s go!  (Both exit.) 

Teacher follow-up:  (Have an office chair with wheels set up before the lesson.  Place beside it two planks of wood to use as oars.)

            As we’ve just seen in the skit, faith and works have to go together.  It’s not just enough to believe.  Faith means getting involved. 

            I’ve often seen people in rowboats, rowing peacefully down a river.  I thought I might try it, but it’s probably safer to try on land first.  If I can get the hang of it on land, it will be easier once I do try it in the water.  Okay, let’s see.  (Sit down in chair).  First things first:  I have to get in the boat.  (Pick up the “oars.”)  Now I have to pick up the oars and get ready to (sing) row, row, row my boat, gently down the stream.  Oh, nevermind.  Okay, here I go.  (Begin “rowing.”) 

            Wow, this is harder than I thought.  I think I’ll just give one of my arms a break.  (“Row” with just one “oar.”)  What’s wrong?  Why am I going in circles?  I guess I need to row with both oars.  Otherwise, I’m not going to get anywhere. 

            The Bible says that faith without good works is dead.  That means faith is just part of the process.  You have to get involved.  It’s not always enough to just believe.  You have to do something.  (Demonstrate moving forward with both “oars” and going in circles with just one “oar.”)  When you’re praying in faith for something, God will do His part.  But you also have to do your part.  If you don’t, you’re going to go in circles in your walk with the Lord. 

            You can’t row a boat with one oar; you’d go in circles.  And you can’t have faith without good works.  Today’s power point says:  Faith means getting involved.  Get involved by doing good works for the Lord!

Faith is Our Foundation

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

Props: a set of blueprints

            (Display blueprints).  I have with me a set of blueprints.  Blueprints are used to guide the building of a house.  They’re the master plan, and everyone who works on the house has to follow the blueprints.  Each page is like a different layer of the house.  One whole page of the blueprints is dedicated to the most important part of the house—the foundation.  You’ll never see the foundation, because it is below everything else.  But it holds everything up and keeps the house solid. 

            Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God.  Faith is complete trust in God.  You can’t have a relationship with God if you don’t believe He is real.  You must believe in Him and put your faith in Him.  Faith is the foundation that will hold your life together and keep your relationship with God solid.

Faith in the Unseen

…without faith it is impossible to please God… Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Props: pinwheel, fan, small pieces of tissue paper

Today we’re talking about faith, or belief in God, as our foundation.  Faith is what we stand on in our relationship with God.  In fact, it is impossible to have a relationship with God unless you believe that He is real.  (And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6) 

            Some people never begin a relationship with God because they find it hard to have faith in a God they cannot see.  I think of it like this (blow the pinwheel, causing it to spin): can you see the breath that is blowing this pinwheel?  (Allow for response).  Nope.  But does that make it any less real?  No way!  Of course the breath that I am blowing out is real, even if you can’t see it. 

            (Position the pieces of tissue paper in front of the fan.  Turn on the fan, allowing the tissue paper to blow away.)  Can you see the air that blew away that paper?  (Allow for response).  You can’t see the air, but it’s very real. 

            We know our breath is real and we know the air is real for two reasons: we can feel it and we can see what it does. 

            The Bible says that “…faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).  So faith is believing in a God we do not see.  Even though we can’t see Him, we know God is real because, just as we feel the wind, we can feel His love and power in our lives.  We also know He is real because, in the same way that we saw what the air can do to this pinwheel and these papers, we can see the things He is doing in us and for us, like answering our prayers and helping us to do what is right. 

Ask the group the following questions and invite volunteers to answer them.  Be prepared to give ideas if necessary. 

• How can you see and feel God in your life? 

(He answers prayers, He shows His love by providing and caring for us, He gives us peace, He helps us feel better…)

• Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  Why do you think we have to have faith in order to please God?

(Faith in God means that you believe in Him, that you trust Him.  In order to have a good relationship with someone, you have to trust him or her.  If we want a true relationship with God, we must believe that God is who is says He is.)

Faith Concentrate

“Have faith in God,” Jesus said.  Mark 11:22

Props: concentrated dish detergent and watered-down dish detergent, 2 clear containers with lids, water

God is looking for people who have faith in Him to do what only He is able to do.  He wants to do many miracles for us—our faith releases His power.  During today’s lesson, think about what kind of faith you have.

There are many kinds of faith: some people have “false” faith—faith in the wrong things or people.  Others have faith in God, but it isn’t very strong. (Display watered down detergent).  It reminds me of this dish detergent. (Place a few drops in one of the containers of water).  This dish detergent isn’t very strong.  I don’t think it could do a very good job of cleaning the dishes.  (Shake up the water).  Look, there are hardly any bubbles here.  This detergent has been watered down.  It’s weak.  Some people’s faith is weak like this.  It’s there, but it’s mixed with doubt, fear or faith in themselves.  When people have watered-down faith, it doesn’t work like it should.  Faith needs to be pure and strong. 

Those with a pure faith trust God alone to meet their needs.  It’s like this detergent. (Show concentrated dish detergent).  This is pure detergent and it’s strong.  (Place a few drops in the other container of water and shake it up).  Notice a difference?  This stuff will get the job done!  It’s like a pure faith.  When you trust God and don’t doubt, your faith is strong and will release the power of God. 

Just one touch from God will bring your miracle.  And your faith will release His power.

Don’t Put God in a Box

God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us. Ephesians 3:20 (NIrV)

Props: an air mattress (the bigger, the better), an electric pump and a flimsy paper or cardboard box (you may want to pre-cut a portion of each side before the lesson).  Prepare the following labels to put on the box: little things, small problems, wish lists, nighttime prayers.  You may put them on before the lesson or as you teach.

             We read throughout the Bible about the miracles that Jesus did when He was on this earth.  It’s great to know that God is still working miracles today.  He wants to answer your prayers, help you with your problems, heal you and give you the things you need. 

            Let’s talk about some things you may pray for.  Maybe sometimes you pray for little things.  In God’s mind, there are no “little” prayers if it really comes from your heart.  But to you there are little things.  You may ask God to help you remember how to spell a word for your spelling test or to help your cat feel better.  Who believes that God can answer those prayers? (Allow for response).  Of course He can!  It’s not too hard to believe that.   Now let’s look at some small problems you may pray about.  Again, to God it’s not small but sometimes we think so.  It could be that you and your brother argue over video games, or you could ask God to help you with a kid who annoys you at school.  Can God help you with those things?  (Allow for response).  Absolutely!  Now what about wish lists?  Can God give you things that He knows you want—if those things are best for you?  Yes!  One more thing: we’ll call it “nighttime prayers.”  You know: “Lord please bless Mommy and Daddy and help me to sleep well and not have bad dreams and please help me not to wet the bed.”  Is God powerful enough to answer those prayers?  (Allow for response).  We know He is. 

            It’s not hard to believe God for some of these things we’ve talked about.  But what if I brought in a dead girl and laid her body on the stage and said, “Let’s believe God to bring this girl back to life.”  Could you believe God for that? 

            See, many people who believe in God think that He’s like this air mattress.  (Show deflated air mattress inside of box).  They think His power fits inside these little things and can’t go any farther.  What they don’t understand is that God’s power is so much greater, so much bigger than all these things.  (Inflate air mattress, allowing the box to break).  Yes, He can do these things, but He can do so much more.  He can heal cancer, make blind people see again, bring dead people back to life, change the heart of a terrible, mean person and forgive that person for his or her sins. 

            The Bible says that “God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine” Ephesians 3:20 (NIrV).  So don’t put God in a box by thinking that He’s only big or powerful enough to answer certain prayers.  Believe Him for any and every miracle for your life.

Don’t Limit God

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:36 (NIV)

 Props: signs listing speed, weight, time, age limits

             We live in a world of limits.  Think about it: there are speed limits (helper pretends to drive a car), weight limits (helper sits in tiny chair and breaks it), time limits (helper pretends to be taking a test with five minutes left) and age limits (helper is upset when he cannot go on the preschool playground).  Everything around us has limits because our strength, power and ability as human beings is limited.  And we create things with limited power.  That can make us afraid to do certain things: and it should!  When you get old enough to drive, you shouldn’t go too fast; it’s dangerous.  You shouldn’t sit, stand or climb on things that can’t support your weight.  And don’t try to talk too many minutes on your cell phone, either.  That would be expensive!  Why?  Because everything has limits.  But it’s not that way with God’s power: His power has no limits! 

            I’m not saying that you can drive as fast as you want if you know God!  God wants you to follow the speed limit.  But I am saying that God doesn’t have a speed limit.  He can answer your prayers instantly!  God doesn’t have a weight limit either!  He holds the universe in His hand.  He’s not restricted by time or age: He will answer your prayers just like He answers adult prayers.

            Jesus did the impossible.  And He taught us that there’s nothing to fear when He is here.  So don’t be afraid of limits; trust in the God who has no limits!

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.

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