You Are the Apple of His Eye

…you are God’s chosen and special people. 1 Peter 2:9

 Props: picture of an eye

             It’s very important that you learn to see yourself like God does.  We’re going to talk about seeing for just a few minutes.  Because God loves us and doesn’t want to see us get hurt, He made us with the ability to protect ourselves.  Our eyes are just one example of how we protect ourselves.  Any time something comes near your eye, you blink.  In fact, you can’t help it.  You blink without even thinking about it.  That’s because God made your eyelids to protect your eyes, and your reflexes to make sure your eyelids go down when they should.  When sand or dust gets in your eyes, they fill up with tears that wash it away.  God wanted your eyes to be very protected.  The most protected part of your eyes are the pupils.  The pupil is the black circle in the middle of each eye.  It is very important because it lets the light in and without it you can’t see.

In the book of Zechariah in the Bible, God compares his people to the “apple,” or pupil, of His eye.  That means that his people are more important than anything else to Him and He will do anything to protect them.  You and I are in the center of His vision; He can’t look at anything without seeing us. 

            Look at the person sitting next to you.  Now look straight into his or her eyes.  What do you see there?  (Allow for response).  You see the pupil, the whites, the color.  But if you’ll look closely, you’ll also see yourself.  It’s just the same with God.  When you look into God’s eyes, you can see yourself there.  You are always in the center of His eyes.  So see yourself like God does and you’ll see someone who is precious to Him.

Keep it Gentle

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

Props: a clear drinking glass, vase, or bowl; soft cloth and an abrasive scouring pad

 (Display vase) Today I have with me a beautiful vase that needs to be cleaned.  I have to decide how to clean it.  I could use this cloth (hold up cloth) or I could use this scouring pad (hold up scouring pad).  Which one would you use?  (Accept answers from volunteers).  If I use the soft, gentle cloth, the vase will be clean and will end up better than it was before.  But if I use the scouring pad, it will scratch the glass and the vase will be damaged, or hurt.  Glass is beautiful, but it is easily damaged, scratched and broken.  It has to be treated very carefully and gently.

People can be the same way sometimes.  It is important to respect others’ feelings because they can be hurt very easily.  Make sure your words are like the cloth, soft and gentle.  If you speak mean or rude words to people, it can be like the scouring pad on the glass.  It can hurt them.  Keep your words and actions soft and gentle as a cloth on glass.

Hold Up Under Pressure

… [Love] always perseveres.   1 Corinthians 13:7

Props: cement block (true love), balloon (false “love”), bricks

Today we’re talking about true love.  Loving someone is easy in the good times.  Loving nice people is easy.  And loving a perfect person would be especially easy, but there are no perfect people—including you.  So because you’re not perfect and neither is anyone else, there’s no such thing as a perfect friendship or family relationship.  Every relationship goes through hard times.  If you know someone for any length of time, there will be times when you don’t agree or get along.  God knew that when He left His instructions for us.  He told us that true love keeps going.  It doesn’t give up in the bad times.

(Display cement block and place on table).  This cement block is going to represent true love.  It is solid and stable.  It’s like the love of God.  (Display balloon and place it on table).  This balloon represents false “love.”  It’s like people who say they love someone, but run away at the first sign of trouble.  (Begin stacking bricks on block).  Disagreements come into every friendship and relationship and can add lots of pressure.  Maybe 2 friends can’t agree on the rules of a game.  That puts the pressure on.  Everyone makes mistakes.  Brothers and sisters sometimes say things that hurt each other’s feelings.  Even moms and dads do things to make us feel bad.  Love can hold up under the pressure of relationships.  (Hold brick over balloon).  How much pressure do you think this balloon can take?  (Allow for response).  Do you think it will last if I put this brick on it?  (Allow for response).  In the same way that balloons can’t take much pressure, “false” love can’t either.  The minute an argument takes place between 2 people who don’t have true love for one another, their relationship “pops.”  (Place brick or bricks on balloon until it pops).

True love keeps going.  Let your love be strong like this block.  Don’t quit when the going gets tough; keep loving others.

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!

Hand Tools vs. Power Tools

Jesus…said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Props: a few hand tools with their corresponding power tools (e.g., screw driver and drill)

            Take a minute and just look around the room.  Now tell me some of the things (not people) you see.  (Allow for response).  We can look around and see walls and a floor, chairs, lights… (Continue to name things in the room).  Almost all of the objects we can see have something in common—they were made using tools.  Tools have been around for thousands of years.  (Hold up some of the hand tools).  People since Adam have been using them to make things.  But only just a few decades ago something wonderful happened—the invention of POWER TOOLS.  (Display and run a power tool.  Whichever tools you are using, give examples of the inefficiency of the hand tool versus the efficiency of the power tool).

            It’s easy to get excited about the power of these tools, just like it’s easy to get excited about the power you have.  I could go on and on about how easy my work is now that I have this tool, just like some people brag about their power.  I could put together a whole house of furniture while someone with a hand tool only has one piece put together.  But there’s something very important I need to keep in mind: while you can do a lot more with power tools, you can also easily destroy things with them and you can very easily hurt yourself or other people with power tools if you’re not careful. 

            The more powerful something is, the easier it is to build things and the easier it is to destroy things.  Power can help or hurt.  The more powerful something is, the more careful you must be when working with it. 

            God has given you power, but He gave it to you with the purpose of helping others.  You must be careful how you use your power.  And the more power you have, the more careful you must be that you use it to build others up and not tear them down. 

            Remember, God gives us power for the purpose of helping others.  Use the power you have to help, not hurt.

Guard One Another

[Love] always protects… 1 Corinthians 13:7

Props: basketball, jersey

            This lesson can be simply taught or presented in an interview format, with the teacher interviewing a basketball player regarding the importance of the guard position. 

How many of you have ever played basketball?  (Allow for response).  What is the most important position?  (Allow the students to volunteer their answers).  The truth is that all of the positions are important, but there’s one very special position that many people don’t think about much.  The position of guard is very important.  The guard stands around the player trying to make a basket and protects her from the other team members who might try to steal the ball.  No one would ever make a basket without the guard in position to protect.

It’s important to act like guards to the people around us.  Protect those around you like a guard on a basketball team.  Some people may be out to harm the other kids in your family, neighborhood or school.  Protect those you know from the gossip and bad-mouthing of others.  You speak well of them and stand up for them when others say mean things.  Protect them from the cruelty of others.  Be nice and kind to them and protect them when others aren’t so nice and kind.  Don’t let the enemy get to them.  Remember, true love watches out for others.

Don’t Judge a Can by It’s Cover

… [Love] always trusts… 1 Corinthians 13:7

 Props: one can of refried beans, covered entirely with a canned dog food label

How many of you have a dog?  (Allow for response).  Dogs can be lots of fun, but they can also be a big responsibility.  Dogs have to be walked, bathed, and fed.  My dog likes canned dog food.  So every day I have to go to the kitchen and take out a can of dog food…(Call another worker forward to help you.  Ask him to open the “dog food” and put it in the dog dish).  I have to open the can of dog food and by that time my dog knows what’s happening so he comes running up and won’t go away until he gets his food.  (Worker empties “dog food” into bowl and begins sampling it.  Question his actions.  When he assures you that it’s good, try some for yourself).

How many of you really thought this was dog food?  It isn’t really dog food.  Before you got here, we switched labels on the can.  This is really a can of refried beans.    

When I was growing up, I always heard people say, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”  In other words, you can’t tell what you’ll think of something or someone just by looking on the outside.  You have to get to know what’s on the inside.  If we had never sampled the inside of this can, we wouldn’t know that it was really good.  Now, don’t go home and try the dog food.  If it says “dog food” at your house, chances are it is.   

But you might be tempted to judge others by what you see on the outside, or by what you see them do or hear them say.  But if you really want to show true love, look past what’s on the outside and get to know the person on the inside.  If you just looked at this can, you would think it’s dog food.  But we found out differently, thanks to our brave volunteer.  Look into the heart of others and believe the best about them.  You can’t judge someone by how things appear to be.

Cover up

[Love] does not envy… 1 Corinthians 13:4

Props: a picture of a child, signs reading “toys,” “friends,” “talent,” “clothes”

            (Display the picture of the child as you speak.)  God tells us that we should love others.  When we love people, it should be for who they really are.  We should love the person, and not the things that they have.  But sometimes people begin to look at what others have, and that’s when envy, or jealousy, can come in. 

            (Refer to picture)  Let’s say that this boy’s friend starts paying attention to what he has.  Maybe he begins to think about how many toys his friend has.  (Cover over a portion of the picture with the “toys” sign.)  “It’s not fair that he has two footballs and I only have one,” he might say.  Next it might be his friend’s talent that he starts thinking about, and becoming jealous of.  (Cover over another portion of the picture with the “talent” sign).  “Everyone always talks about what a good ball player he is.  I wish I had the talent he does so that everyone would talk about me, too.”  Then he might start wishing he had his friend’s clothes.  (Cover over a third portion of the picture with the “clothes” sign).  “If only I had his clothes, the kids at school would start paying more attention to me.”  Before you know it, this boy is even jealous of the other kids that his friend plays with.  (Cover over the final portion of the picture with the “friends” sign).  “Why can’t he just hang around me?  Why does he have to have other friends?

            If you’ll notice, the real boy has disappeared.  His “friend” doesn’t have a true love for him.  He’s fallen more in love with the toys, the talent, the clothes, and the thought of having more friends.  All he can see is what this boy has, and not who he really is. 

            True love does not envy, or get jealous of, others.  When you focus more on things, and your desire to have those things, you forget about people.  Love others for who they are, and don’t be jealous of what they have.

Compassion Means Meeting the Needs of Others

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Props: bowl of rice, box of food, large box filled with clothing and blankets

            We just learned that people all have the same needs on the inside—we all need to love and be loved.  We also all have the same needs in our physical bodies, too.  What are some things that we all need in order to survive?  (Allow for response and follow up on each student’s answer).  We all need food, everyone needs clothing and we all need a place to live.  Those are the three basic things that we need in order to survive. 

            All over the world there are people who do not have enough food to eat.  (Show bowl of rice).  For some children, this is all there is to eat.  They may get a bowl of rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Or they may only get one bowl for the whole day.  Some people don’t have enough clothes to wear.  Others don’t have a place to stay.  There are also families right here in your own neighborhood who do not have enough food to eat or clothes to wear, or who do not have a home to live in.  The Bible says that we are to have compassion for others, to care about them.  That means that we are supposed to help them when they are in need.  So if you know of someone who doesn’t have food to eat, give them some of yours.  (Display box of food).  Now, it’s not a good idea to empty out your cabinets and refrigerator without your parents’ permission, but there is always something you can do.  If your school has a canned food drive, bring in a can of food.  When we collect offerings here at church for needy people around the world, bring in the best offering you can.  (Show clothing items).  Ask your parents if you can give away the clothes you’ve outgrown to someone who needs them.  (Show sleeping bag).  Or maybe you can collect blankets and pillows for a homeless shelter. 

            There are many ways to show compassion.  Compassion is showing that you care about others.  This week, pray and ask God to give you ways you can show that you care about those who are in need.

Compassion Means Looking On the Inside

Be kind and compassionate to one another… Ephesians 4:32

Props: chocolate chip cookies wrapped in different packaging (three cookies in a paper bag, three in a plastic container and three wrapped in fancy packaging); several pictures of people with different features

            (Display three different packages and call forward a volunteer).  Our volunteer today gets to choose a treat.  Here we have three packages.  He gets to keep what is inside of the one he chooses.  (Have the volunteer choose the package and remain where he is, without opening it).  I need another volunteer to choose between the two remaining packages.  (Have volunteer follow same procedure as the first).  I need one more volunteer to take the last package.  (Once the package is taken, have all three volunteers open their packages simultaneously).  All three packages had the same thing inside.  Very interesting….  (Thank the volunteers.  Allow them to eat a cookie and return to their seat). 

            How many of you thought the prettiest package had the nicest gift?  (Allow for response).  Many people think that way because we often judge things and people by how they look on the outside.  (Display pictures of people).  You may think, “Oh, she’s not dressed very nicely.  She must be poor.”  Or, “Oh, he’s white (or black).  I can’t play with him.  I can’t trust those people.”  We judge people by their hair color or by how much they weigh or by how pretty or handsome we think they are. 

            Compassion is showing that you care about others.  The Bible says to show compassion to others, no matter what they look like.  Remember the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible?  (Luke 10) He cared for a Jew, even though Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along.  The Samaritan was willing to help a man who looked different than him, acted differently than him and spoke a different language.  He ignored all of that and did whatever he could to help.  That’s the kind of compassion God says to have.  Learn to look on the inside of people.  No matter what we all look like or how different we all are, we all have the same basic needs for love.  Just like the three packages all had cookies inside, we all look different, but we all need to love and be loved.  Learn to love others and care about who they are on the inside, not just what they look like on the outside.

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