Turn Your Thoughts Upward

…Whatever is lovely…think about such things.  Philippians 4:8

 Props: three identical bowls or other containers, piece of candy, table

             (Turn the bowls upside down).  You can see that these bowls are alike and it would be very difficult to tell them apart.  I’m going to place a piece of candy under this one (place candy under one of the bowls).  Watch this bowl, and don’t take your eyes off of it.  If you can tell me where the candy is when I’m done, you will win a piece of candy.  (Begin moving the bowls around from one position to another).   

Sometimes the hardest thing to do in life is focus.  There are so many things to keep your mind off of what is really important.  But the Bible says that we should think about things that are lovely, or nice.  Focus on them.  Don’t allow anything or anyone to take your attention off of what is nice.  (Stop moving the bowls.  Allow the kids to guess which bowl the candy is under.  Have the workers give candy to the kids with the correct answer.)

If you really want to fill your mind with better things, you’re going to have to keep your focus on God.  Sometimes other people will try to get in the way.  They will try to fill your mind with bad thoughts.  They will gossip and use bad language and talk bad about people.  Don’t be distracted!  Keep your mind focused on God and fill your mind with better things.