Charged Up

I pray that…he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being… Ephesians 3:16

Props: Car battery, charger

[Read Ephesians 3:16 and display car battery.]

            Before a car ever makes it out on the road, it has to be put together in a factory.  A battery is placed inside each car.  The battery is what gives the car its power.  The car can’t even start without it. 

            In order to stay strong in your spirit, you need the power of God.  You can’t do anything for Him without His power. 

            But sometimes things happen that drain the battery.  It seems that all of its power is gone in no time.  When that happens, the battery has to be recharged.  [Show charger and hook it up to the battery.]  And there will be things in your life that you feel like drain you.  When you get picked on, or your parents are fighting or get a divorce; the times that you don’t seem to have any friends—those are some pretty tough times.  And in those times God’s power will make you strong, if you allow it to.  His power is like a battery charger.  He will fill you full of strength and power to do what He wants you to do.  Stay connected to Him through prayer, by reading your Bible, coming to church and spending time with other Christians and let Him make you strong in the tough times.

Can’t Hold Back God’s Power

You are the God who does miracles.
      You show your power among the nations. Psalm 77:14 (NIRV)

Props: balloon labeled “satan” (Before the lesson, blow up the balloon, write “satan” on it and then deflate the balloon).  Gradually blow up the balloon during the lesson, over-inflating it until it pops by the end of the lesson.  In order to do this, you will have to stop every sentence or two to blow up the balloon. 

Since before the creation of the world, our enemy, satan, has tried to hold back and stop God’s power.  He led a rebellion in Heaven, tempted Adam and Eve, bringing sin into the world and even tried to stop God’s plan of salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross.  Nothing satan did could ever stop or hold back God’s power.  Why?  Because God’s power is so much greater than the enemy’s, it can’t even be compared. 

            Everyone gets nervous and scared when they see the devil’s power at work.  Most people think, “Oh no.  The devil is out to get me.  What am I going to do?”  In some countries, there are witch doctors who work with the devil’s power.  They cast spells on people and everyone is afraid of the witch doctor because they think that he is the most powerful.  That’s not true!  God’s power is far greater! 

Can you see the air I’m blowing into this balloon?  (Allow for response).  You can see what the air is doing, but you can’t see the air.  In the same way, you may not be able to see it, but God’s power is at work.  So there’s no need to worry.  God’s power is greater than the enemy’s.  This balloon is trying to hold back and contain the air inside it.  That’s like the devil trying to hold back God’s power. (Continue to inflate balloon until it pops).  If the devil can’t hold back God’s power, no one can.   

            Remember, God’s power is greater than the enemy’s.

Called to do the Impossible

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

Props: dry erase board and markers

Before the lesson, put away all the dry erase markers.

Call forward a volunteer and ask him if he thinks he can do an easy task. Tell him the task it to write his name on the dry erase board. Ask him if he is sure he can do it. When he says he is sure, tell him to go ahead and write his name. If he tries to use a pen, pencil or standard marker, remind him that those do not work on this special board. When he realizes that he is unable to write his name, offer him a dry erase marker. He should then complete the task. Thank him and continue with the lesson.

Our volunteer thought his task would be easy; then he realized he didn’t have what he needed to get the job done. There will be many times in your life when God will ask you to do things that seem impossible. He may ask you to tell a friend or family member about His love and you might be afraid to do it. He may ask you to pray for someone who is sick and believe Him to heal that person. God may want you to preach a sermon or even to start a world-wide ministry. Whatever it is, you will need power and strength to do the job.

When I asked our friend to write his name, it didn’t take him long to realize he needed more than the board. He needed more than what he had. When God asks you to do something, you need more than your own power, strength and talent to get the job done. You need more than all the money you have. You need the power of God’s Holy Spirit. As you are filled with God’s Spirit, He gives you the power to get the job done, whatever the job is. Even if it seems impossible for you to do it, it is never impossible for God. And that’s why you have to trust in Him, not yourself. If you work in God’s power, the job He calls you to do will get done.
Work in the strength of God’s Spirit. Remember to obey Him and let Him do the work through you.

Built to Pass the Test

I pray that…he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being… Ephesians 3:16

Props: Video clip of a car going through a series of crash tests

[Show clip.]

The reason the makers of cars put them through crash tests is because they know that someone somewhere will have an accident in one of these cars. The car has to be strong enough to protect the people inside; otherwise it wouldn’t be worth very much.

What is on the inside of the car (you, others) is the most valuable. And what is on the inside of you—your spirit—is the most valuable part of you; it will live forever. God cares about you and He wants what is best for you. Sometimes He allows you to go through testing to make you stronger. If you go through a hard time it might hurt at the moment, but if you allow God to use those hard times, He will make you more like Him.

[Use a personal example of a hard time you’ve gone through that God used to make you stronger and more like Him.]

There were many people in the Bible who went through tough times. They saw God’s power make them strong and keep them through their troubles. God can do the same thing for you: God’s power will make you strong in tough times.

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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