Same Old Stuff Repackaged

…whatever is right…think about such things. Philippians 4:8

I will set before my eyes no vile thing.
       The deeds of faithless men I hate;
       they will not cling to me.

Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
       I will have nothing to do with evil.  Psalm 101:3,4

Props: plastic bag filled with trash, gift bag and tissue paper, bow, pictures of witches, etc., Harry Potter books**

(Display plastic bag filled with trash).  As you can see, I have here a bag of trash.  There’s nothing unusual about it; it’s just common, ordinary trash.  But if you watch closely, it’s going to change before your very eyes.  It will become beautiful.  In fact, some of you may even want to take it home with you and hang it on your wall.  Here we go… (Wrap the trash inside tissue paper and place it in a gift bag.  Put a bow on the bag).  Voilá!  It’s completely different.  Now who wants it?  Beautifully packaged and decorated debris!

(Another worker interrupts and finishes lesson). You can’t do that!  That trash hasn’t changed a bit.   It’s just wrapped in a different package.  (Open gift bag and reveal that trash hasn’t changed).  See?  No difference at all.  Same old stuff repackaged. 

Kids, this reminds me of what many people do with sin.  (Hold up picture of witch).  What is this?  (Allow for response).  This witch practices witchcraft, casting spells and praying to the devil.  Witchcraft is wrong because people use it to try to get power from the devil instead of from God.  They try to go around God instead of going to Him.  Is that okay to do?  Of course not.

People today have “repackaged” witchcraft in many ways.  One of those ways is to make up stories about it that seem innocent.  (Hold up Harry Potter book).  Harry Potter is a kid that practices casting spells and trying to use a power that is not from God.  So is that okay?  (Allow for response.  If necessary, lead in a brief discussion, answering the kids’ questions).**

God says in His Word to think about what is right.  In other words, fill your mind with what God says is good.  God says to go to Him alone for power.  So let the books that you read be focused on Him!

**If you choose to address material other than Harry Potter, bring props to emphasize your specific subject matter and modify the lesson accordingly.