4. Five-Gallon Buckets
You’ve seen inexpensive five-gallon buckets at Lowe’s and Home Depot. When we taught about Joseph, we focused on forgiveness (Genesis 50:20). So we put buckets to work as an object lesson. We labeled three “Betrayed,” “Set-Up” and “Forgotten.” Inside the buckets, we placed weights or dumbbells. We chose a volunteer to represent Joseph. As each problem popped up in Joseph’s life, we added a bucket for the volunteer to carry.
Then we had Joseph try to run and even just walk. Not easy! Carrying that weight clearly made life difficult. However, when Joseph let go of his hurts and forgave, we took each bucket away. The load lightened as Joseph let go of the pain. Walking, running, or jumping was no problem at all now.
It’s a reminder of how offense weighs you down. To spruce up the buckets, use spray paint designed for plastic. To make our labels stand out, we painted a strip around the bucket with chalk paint. Then we wrote the words on the strip with chalk pens.
5. Elephant Toothpaste
This is a take on an experiment by Steve Spangler. This version uses a hydrogen peroxide solution available at beauty supply stores or on Amazon. Plus, this version creates a great visual in a smaller room.
Ingredients:
- 1-liter plastic bottle
- hydrogen peroxide (12%)
- dish soap
- food coloring
- package of active dry yeast
- warm water
- plastic cup
Add 4 ounces of hydrogen peroxide to the bottle. Add a squirt of dish soap and some food coloring. Swirl the contents. Mix the yeast with four tablespoons of warm water in a plastic cup. (Make sure it’s not too thick.) Pour the yeast mixture into the bottle. The foam will expand and slowly explode out of the bottle. But the reaction will be small enough to use with a low ceiling. The reaction may take a few seconds to occur.
6. Mason Jars
This object lesson uses two mason jars with rings, water, index cards, and a mesh screen. It really gets kids’ attention! Fill both jars with water. Place an index card over the jar that doesn’t have the mesh screen over the opening. Press down hard and turn the jar upside down over a pan or bucket. When you remove your hand, the index card will stay put and the water won’t spill. Take away the index card, and the water rushes out. Repeat this process with the jar that has the mesh on the opening (under the jar’s ring).
Choose a volunteer and say you’re going to turn the jar upside-down over them. No big deal, right? The water didn’t spill while the card was there. Oh wait, you’re also going to remove the card. Now the stakes are raised. It will take faith for the volunteer to trust he or she won’t get wet.
Remove the card. This time, only a couple of drops will come out. Keep the jar straight throughout the lesson, as tilting it can throw off the pressure that keeps water from spilling. We used this for the story of Abraham trusting God (Genesis 17:16-21).
