Open Up!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 (NIV)

Props: glass jar with lid, pitcher filled with water

            Begin the lesson with the lid on the jar.  I’m need to fill this jar with some water from this pitcher.  (Show the jar, making it obvious to the kids that the lid is still on.  As you speak, wait for their response; they may try to tell you that the lid is still on, you can’t fill the jar yet, etc.  Continue trying to fill the jar.  Base the direction of your lesson on their response.)

             I don’t understand why I have a mess here.  What went wrong?  (Allow for response).  Ohhh…(remove the lid and fill the jar).  Things seem to go much better when the jar is open. 

            This reminds me of today’s lesson.  God wants to fill us up, but we have to be open to Him and to what He has for us.  When you do things that are wrong and you disobey God, you keep Him from blessing you.  When you don’t spend time praying and reading the Bible, you keep God from blessing you.  But when you obey and do what you know is right, you are open to all that God has for you, and He will give it to you.  Just as a jar must be opened to be filled, so we must be open to what God has for us before He can fill us. You will be blessed if you want all that God has for you.  Stay open to Him!