Great Exchange
Items Needed: two objects (such as a candy bar or treat and a piece of trash)
Use a simple illustration to talk about a great exchange – our sin for Jesus’ holiness.
Give the piece of trash (the smellier the better!) to one of the children and explain that this is what our sin is like. In fact, even the good things we do are like garbage when compared to Jesus’ holiness (Isaiah 64:6).
Show the good object (such as a candy bar) and ask your child if he would be willing to exchange his trash for the candy bar.
Read 1 Peter 1:18-22 to explain this great exchange to your child. Say a prayer thanking God for Jesus’ sacrifice.
Jesus is completely perfect and NEVER sinned. When He died on the cross, He paid the penalty for our sin. If we believe in Him and what He did, He will give us His holiness in exchange for our sin. When God looks at us, He sees Jesus’ holiness and not our sin. That’s a GREAT EXCHANGE!
What You Say and Do
Act out different people/things to start the discussion about what is expected from certain people/things.
Announce the category and ask everyone to think of the words/sounds that a person/thing would make, and then say those words/make the sounds to see if the others can guess it. (Actions could also be added.)
Categories:
People (moms, coaches, teachers, singers, babies, referees, athletes, etc.)
Animals (horse, cow, bird, etc.)
Musical instruments (drum, banjo, piano, trumpets, tuba, etc.)
How were you able to guess each one’s identity? (by the words/sounds that were made)
The words out of our mouth and our actions can show what is really in our heart. Our words and actions should reflect the holiness of Christ.
Read 1 Peter 1:15-16.
What does God want us to be?
No one is perfect, but others should be able to tell from the words we say and the things we do that we are Christ followers. God wants us to be holy, set apart.
Spilling Out
Make water balloon piñatas.
Items Needed:
- Balloons
- String
- Water
- Plastic bat
- Blindfold (optional)
Fill the balloons about half full with water. Tie the neck in a knot and attach a long piece of string to each balloon. Hang them from a tree limb, monkey bars (if available), or any high spot. Blindfold the children, one at a time, and let him try to hit the balloons with a plastic bat.
Talk about it:
What came spilling out of the balloon, when you hit it? Why?
The balloons were filled with water and so water spilled out when we burst the balloons. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, good things should come from us.
Read Galatians 5:22-23 to find out what should be inside us when we have the Holy Spirit living within us.