Object Lesson For Kids: Crushed - Isaiah 53:5
Description
Use this Easter Object Lesson to remind youth that Christ was crushed for our sins so that we might be made whole and begin a new life with him.
Resources
Several hollowed out Eggs
Click here to learn how to blow out an egg without breaking it.
What to do
Give each youth a clean, hollowed out, un-broken egg
Ask the youth to close their eyes, and imagine this white egg to represent the perfect and Holy Jesus.
Give youth some paints, crayons, markers, glue, glitter, etc to decorate their eggs with something symbolic of Christ.
Then ask the youth to hold the eggs in their hands and close their eyes.
Imagine this egg as the pure Holy Christ.
Then ask the youth to SQUEEZE the egg as hard as they can, breaking it into lots of pieces.
As they hold the shattered eggs in their hand, ask them to fix it back to the way it was before.
Finally, Ask them what emotions and thoughts this activity stirs in their hearts and minds.
Take it to the Next Level
Were you hesitant to crush the egg? Did you find it difficult to crush this symbol of God with your hands? Why or why not?
In what ways does the crushing of this egg represent our relationship with God?
In what ways do some of our actions destroy our relationship with God?
How did you feel when you tried to restore your egg back to its original state?
Think about a time in your life when you felt like this crushed egg? What happened?
Think about a time when you did something in a relationship and wished you could have set things back to the way they were before. What happened?
Why is it so difficult to repair damaged relationships?
Scripture says it is impossible for us to restore our relationship with God. Why?
What lessons does this simple object lesson hold for us when it comes to relationships in our own lives?
In what ways do people crush and damage relationships?
What can be done to put things back to the way they were?
Closing out the Lesson
It is impossible to completely restore the egg that has been crushed. Cracks and scars will remain. Forgiveness is often difficult, and even when we do forgive someone, it is not always easy to put the pieces of our broken lives back together again. Consequences may be much longer lasting. There are people who have suffered physical, sexual and emotional abuse and the results can last for a lifetime. Sometimes we wonder, "How can I ever forgive this person for what s/he did to me?" And we go on living life as shattered souls, trying to piece things back together.
But this is where the story of the Cross and Easter come into play. The sin in our lives destroys the perfect relationship we had with God. Nothing we can do can put it back together. But Jesus was crushed on the cross for our sin. (Isaiah 53:5) He put himself in our place and was crushed so that we might be whole again. He came not to put our broken lives back together but to give us a new life in Christ - To start a new relationship with him. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25) Everything is new. A new beginning comes to our lives.
And in the same way God forgives us, we need to forgive others. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)
Give Each youth a new egg and let them decorate it with something representative of a new beginning in Christ. Today can be a new beginning for each of us if we trust the work of Christ on the Cross and believe in the resurrection and new life he brought to us on Easter Morning. Ask youth to pray a prayer of forgiveness and also to commit to a new beginning with those they have wronged or that have wronged them. Ask them to begin anew in their relationship with God. Maybe they can give this second egg to someone as an offering and reminder of forgiveness or simply keep it as a reminder of God's forgiveness.
God wants to give us a new beginning in our relationship with Him as well in our relationship with others. Make this Easter a time of new life, of new beginnings in your life. Give God the broken pieces of your life and of relationships and trust him for a new sunrise tomorrow, for a resurrection morning filled with new life in Him!
by: KenSapp
Chat Norge Dating For Younger The Significance Of Forex Trading Systems Cosmetic Doctor Faq6 Cellulite Treatments:an Overview Ms Sql Database Recovery Tool To Alleviate Your Pains Spring Up Due To Corruption Here You Can Easily Find The Best Insurance Company Design Your Own Tattoo: How To Create Unique Tattoos It Pays For You To Choose An Online Degree Wisely Explore The Wild Side On India Tours How To Find Good Payday Loan Lenders Web Design in Milton Keynes Tips for Employing a Tradesman II Impulsive Buying Behavior: Explode Your Income By Knowing Why People Buy Same Day Doorstep Loans Handy Cash For Any Need