Object Lesson 3

OBJECT LESSON GOAL:

Show that following the instructions in the Bible will lead to the best results in our lives and that we should be patient as we wait to see what God has planned for us.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Jeremiah 18:6, “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine hand.”

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

Two packages of the same Lego construction set (Use a small kit with no more than 50 to 100 pieces, these will generally work the best). Construct one of the puzzles according to the instructions and have the other package in a zip-lock storage bag. Also have the instructions for making the item in your Bible.

MESSAGE:

I need a volunteer who is very creative. (Select a helper and hand them the plastic bag of Legos) Now in one minute, I want you to use all the Legos in that bag to build an airplane. (Or wahtever the item is that the kit makes) You need to use every piece. Ready, set... go. (Keep an eye on your watch and give the countdown every 10 seconds...and when down to ten, give a countdown to the last number “10, 9, 8...” etc. Odds are good that they haven’t used all the pieces and/or the object looks nothing like the item you already have put together)

Let’s take a look at what you’ve made. Okay, that’s pretty interesting, but I really don’t think that is what the designer had in mind. And look, you haven’t used all the pieces. Now I don’t understand. You have all the pieces to make the airplane, but you didn’t make it correctly? Do you think it would have helped if you had seen a model already put together? Like this one? (Bring out the pre-constructed model) It seems you didn’t know that this is what you were supposed to build. Let’s give our helper a big hand for being a part of this.

You know, it is pretty hard to build up our own lives if we don’t have an example to follow. That is what is so neat about Jesus. We learn about what he did, how he dealt with problems, and if we apply them to our own lives, I bet we will do a whole lot better job being like Him.

Furthermore, even if you see this model, it would be a lot easier to put it together, but the easiest way is to read the instructions. (Pull instructions out and show them) Here is the way to put this all together. Did you know God gave us a complete set of instructions? It’s the Bible. And in it we learn what we need to do and what we shouldn’t do. We learn that we should be respectful to our parents and we learn we should not steal or tell lies.

Now even if you have the instructions, you could still choose to build your plane anyway you like, but it probably wouldn’t look better than the original design. Likewise, if we choose not to follow God’s rules, we can live a life that might seem pretty good, but it is no where as wonderful as what God has planned for us. There is a verse in the book of Jeremiah that talks about clay... they didn’t have Legos back then... and it says, “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine hand.” The designer who came up with this kit knew that all of these things would make something wonderful. But we need to trust the designer and allow that person’s instructions to help us build a life that is worthy. Imagine if this were a part of a bigger kit like we are all a part of the bigger plan of God. This wouldn’t really fit in with the rest of things if we made it look like something else.

So my advice is, check out your Bible and see what it has to say. And you can remember this, “B-I-B-L-E” can stand for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth... which means we better get Jesus in our lives. If we do that, the instructions are sure a lot easier to follow.

Check out different kits at www.lego.com or check out the toy section at a department store. Seasonal items (like their “Turkey” at Thanksgiving time) help make this lesson adaptable to about any season.


		LEGOS AND THE CREATOR'S PLAN
	OBJECT LESSON GOAL: Show that following the instructions in the Bible will lead to the best results in our lives and that we should be patient as we wait to see what God has planned for us. SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Jeremiah 18:6, “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine hand.” WHAT YOU WILL NEED: Two packages of the same Lego construction set (Use a small kit with no more than 50 to 100 pieces, these will generally work the best). Construct one of the puzzles according to the instructions and have the other package in a zip-lock storage bag. Also have the instructions for making the item in your Bible. MESSAGE: I need a volunteer who is very creative. (Select a helper and hand them the plastic bag of Legos) Now in one minute, I want you to use all the Legos in that bag to build an airplane. (Or wahtever the item is that the kit makes) You need to use every piece. Ready, set... go. (Keep an eye on your watch and give the countdown every 10 seconds...and when down to ten, give a countdown to the last number “10, 9, 8...” etc. Odds are good that they haven’t used all the pieces and/or the object looks nothing like the item you already have put together) Let’s take a look at what you’ve made. Okay, that’s pretty interesting, but I really don’t think that is what the designer had in mind. And look, you haven’t used all the pieces. Now I don’t understand. You have all the pieces to make the airplane, but you didn’t make it correctly? Do you think it would have helped if you had seen a model already put together? Like this one? (Bring out the pre-constructed model) It seems you didn’t know that this is what you were supposed to build. Let’s give our helper a big hand for being a part of this. You know, it is pretty hard to build up our own lives if we don’t have an example to follow. That is what is so neat about Jesus. We learn about what he did, how he dealt with problems, and if we apply them to our own lives, I bet we will do a whole lot better job being like Him. Furthermore, even if you see this model, it would be a lot easier to put it together, but the easiest way is to read the instructions. (Pull instructions out and show them) Here is the way to put this all together. Did you know God gave us a complete set of instructions? It’s the Bible. And in it we learn what we need to do and what we shouldn’t do. We learn that we should be respectful to our parents and we learn we should not steal or tell lies. Now even if you have the instructions, you could still choose to build your plane anyway you like, but it probably wouldn’t look better than the original design. Likewise, if we choose not to follow God’s rules, we can live a life that might seem pretty good, but it is no where as wonderful as what God has planned for us. There is a verse in the book of Jeremiah that talks about clay... they didn’t have Legos back then... and it says, “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine hand.” The designer who came up with this kit knew that all of these things would make something wonderful. But we need to trust the designer and allow that person’s instructions to help us build a life that is worthy. Imagine if this were a part of a bigger kit like we are all a part of the bigger plan of God. This wouldn’t really fit in with the rest of things if we made it look like something else. So my advice is, check out your Bible and see what it has to say. And you can remember this, “B-I-B-L-E” can stand for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth... which means we better get Jesus in our lives. If we do that, the instructions are sure a lot easier to follow. Check out different kits at www.lego.com or check out the toy section at a department store. Seasonal items (like their “Turkey” at Thanksgiving time) help make this lesson adaptable to about any season. MORE OBJECT LESSONS - RESOURCES - HOME