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Object lesson ideas for the Trinity -

(Please note: You might want to check with you pastor before presenting these to the congregation. The Trinity (or Tri – Unity of God) is a mystery. All these illustrations fall short on some aspect of our understanding of God. That being said, these ideas can still be helpful for helping kids understand complex issues.

Trinity Ideas

The Egg: (This has been often used by churches) Use a hard-boiled egg to represent the Trinity. Explain that the egg has three parts: the shell, the white, and the yolk, but it is still one egg. Similarly, the Trinity is one God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

Water: Fill three clear glasses with water. Add red food coloring to one glass, blue to another, and yellow to the third. Explain that although the glasses have different colors, they are all still water, just as the Trinity is one God in three distinct persons. (This illustration emphasizes that like God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have the same “essence” or “stuff” of God.

Puzzle Pieces: Bring a jigsaw puzzle, preferably a large children’s puzzle, with three pieces that fit together to form a whole picture. Discuss how each piece is different but necessary to complete the puzzle. Relate this to the Trinity, where each person is distinct but essential to the fullness of God.

Light and Colors: Use a prism to demonstrate how white light is made up of different colors. Explain that although the colors are distinct, they are all part of the same light, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct but part of the same God.

Use an Apple: Cut an apple in half horizontally to reveal the star shape in the core. Explain that the star shape represents the Trinity. The core symbolizes God, and the three visible parts represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Water: Discuss how water can exist in three forms: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (vapor). Relate this to the Trinity, where God exists as three distinct persons. (Please note – in some traditions this may be considered “modalism” – Again – check with your pastor!

Three-Leaf Clover: Use a three-leaf clover to explain the Trinity. Discuss how each leaf is separate but part of the same clover, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are separate but part of the same God.

Please do stress that these object lessons are limited. Our real God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is a living and loving relationship. And the good news is that we are invited into that relationship.

Feel free to share this page and / or link to this web site. Thank you – A. H.

Children's object lesson ideas for Ascension Day

Try using a helium-filled balloon to represent Jesus ascending to heaven. (You could also use a small indoor drone.) Explain how Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection and how the the disciples watched Him go. Release the balloon and discuss how Jesus is now in heaven, interceding for us.

"Footprints in the Sand": Bring a tray of sand and ask the children to make footprints with their hands (or feet!) Discuss how Jesus left His “footprints” on Earth but ascended to heaven. Explain that although we can't physically see Him, we can still follow His teachings and know that he is always with us. Although it’s a little over-worked you could still read out the “Footprints in the sand” story.

"Clouds of Glory": Use / make a cotton ball cloud to symbolize the clouds that took Jesus up to heaven. Explain how Jesus ascended in the presence of His disciples, and how clouds played a significant role in His departure. Discuss the symbolism of clouds and how they represent God's glory and majesty.

"The Empty Chair / Thrown": Set up a chair at the front of the room and explain that it represents the throne in heaven where Jesus sits. Discuss how Jesus ascended to heaven to be with His Father and how He promised to return. Emphasize that Jesus is always with us, even though we can't physically see Him.

Make a “Map to Heaven": Create a simple treasure map and explain that Jesus ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us. Discuss how we can follow His teachings and have eternal life by receiving Him as Lord and Saviour. Connect the idea of following a map to following Jesus and His guidance through the Holy Spirit.

Ask the children if they have ever been in an elevator. (You could make a small pretend elevator model using a shoebox and string. Explain that Jesus ascended to heaven like going up in an elevator, but instead of using a machine, He used His divine power and went to heaven. Use the elevator model to demonstrate this concept and discuss the significance of Jesus' ascension. Jesus said it would be best if he went to heaven so he could be present with us all the time through the Holy Spirit.

Show a puzzle with a missing piece – and show how the one last piece completes the puzzle. Discuss howw Jesus completed His mission on Earth and ascended to heaven. Explain that His disciples (that includes us) continued His work and spread the message of salvation, becoming part of the puzzle. Emphasize that we are now part of that puzzle, called to continue Jesus' mission. Explain that we are the “body of Christ” now on earth.

Children's sermon ideas: “In my father’s house are many rooms (or KJV Mansions) if it were not so I would have told you…”-

 my fathers house

Check out these children's Sunday school object lesson ideas for John 14:1-14, which talks about the many rooms in our Father's house: Stress that we don’t need to worry that it is short of space. Highlight that Jesus said he was going there ahead of us to prepare this wonderful place.

 

Involve the kids in Building a house: Bring in some toy building blocks and ask the children to help you build a house. Talk about how just as we need many rooms in a house for different people to live in, there are many rooms in our Father's house for all of us. Stress the idea there is lots of room.

 

Finding Our Way to our true home with God our father: Give each child a small compass and ask them to follow the direction of "home." (You may need to give a bit of an explanation about what a compass in and how it works) Talk about how just as a compass helps us find our way, Jesus is the way to our true home in heaven.

 

"The Key to Heaven": Bring in a large key (have a wood working friend make one) and talk about how it represents the key to heaven. Ask the children what they think it takes to get the key and discuss how by believing in Jesus, we are given the key to eternal life. Discuss what might be the characteristics of “our our heaven father’s house”.

 

Work with the children to produce a “Map to Heaven": Bring in (or make) a large map and talk about how it represents the journey to our Father's house. Discuss how by following Jesus, we can find our way to our ultimate destination and home.

List of creative Mother's Day Sunday School ideas 

Here is a list of some possible Mother’s Day object lessons. With all of these ideas you might want to speak of Mother’s or those who are in the role of a mother. (We have some kids coming to church who have a grandmother or looking after them)

 Mothers Day

"A Mother's Love"flower Bouque t: In this object lesson, you can teach your kids about the different types of love a mother has for her child, such as care, nurturing, and protection. Show them how to make a bouquet with different types of flowers that represent each of these types of love.

Handprint Art: This idea has been around for a while. Help kids create a unique keepsake for their mother by making handprint art. Ask them to trace their hand on a piece of paper, then have them decorate it with colors, stickers, or any craft materials they like.

"A Mother's Heart" Puzzle: This object lesson teaches kids about the different parts of a mother's heart. Create a puzzle where each piece represents a part of a mother's heart, such as patience, kindness, and forgiveness. Have your students put the the puzzle together and discuss each piece. Unless you know someone with a wood scroll saw, light cardboard should work well.

"Mother's Day love Jar": In this activity, kids can make a special jar filled with reasons why they love their mother. Provide small pieces of paper and a jar, and have the kids write down their reasons, then decorate the jar with stickers, ribbons, or other materials. Another option would be to fill the jar with ways your kids can return that love to their mother (ie helping with Laundry, dishes, cooking etc.)

"Super hero Mother Capes: This object lesson helps kids understand the importance of mothers in their lives. Provide plain capes (we used bed sheets) and fabric paint, and have the kids create a superhero cape for their mother. Encourage them to think of ways their mother is like a superhero in their lives.

"Growing seed Mother’s plant: This object lesson teaches kids about the sacrifices a mother makes for her child. Provide small pots, soil, and seeds, and have the kids plant the seeds. Talk about how the mother cares for the seedling as it grows, just as she cares for her child. Help the children explore the many ways there mother’s help them grow.

"Mother's Day Bookmarks": This activity involves making bookmarks for their mothers. Provide plain bookmarks, markers, and stickers, and have the kids decorate them. Encourage them to write a special message or a Bible verse for their mother.

"Mother's Day Poem": This one is a bit more challenging. Have the kids write a poem about their mother. Provide paper and pens, and encourage them to be creative. You can also share a few poems about mothers to inspire them. Poems don’t have to rhyme perfectly. Highlight the importance of what comes from the heart.

"Mother's Hug - Teddy Bear: This activity involves making a teddy bear that represents a mother's hug. You might want to work on this over a few Sundays leading up to Mother’s Day. Provide teddy bear templates, stuffing, and fabric, and have the kids sew the teddy bear. Talk about how a mother's hug brings comfort and love. Explore ways that they might return that “hug” and show their gratefulness.

"A Mother's Strength" Weightlifting: This object lesson teaches kids about the strength a mother possesses. Provide small weights or other objects, and have the kids lift them to represent the weight a mother carries. Talk about how a mother's strength helps her care for her family. You might want to explore how there are different types of “strength”, not just physical strength.

Sunday School object lesson ideas for Maundy Thursday

Here are some Sunday School object lesson ideas for Maundy Thursday. (Maundy comes from the Latin word “Mandatum” which mean Commandment.) It’s the occasion that Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another..” This is simple list of ideas that you might use. My sense is that this day in Holy Week is not normally taught given that it falls mid week.

 Sunday School maundy thursday

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is the day before Good Friday that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples. Here are some Sunday School object lesson ideas for Maundy Thursday:

The Bread: You might try bringing in a loaf of bread or some crackers to represent the bread that Jesus broke at the Last Supper. Discuss how Jesus said that the bread was His body, which would be broken for us. You can also have the children take turns breaking the bread and passing it around, just as Jesus did with His disciples.

The Cup: Use a cup or a chalice to represent the cup of wine that Jesus shared with His disciples at the Last Supper. Discuss how Jesus said that the wine was His blood, which would be shed for us. Depending on your denominational sensitivities, you can also have the children take turns pouring a small amount of grape juice into the cup and passing it around, just as Jesus did with His disciples.

The Footwashing: Use a basin of water and a towel to reenact the footwashing that Jesus did with His disciples at the Last Supper. Have the children / youth take turns washing each other's feet, and discuss how this was a symbol of humility and service. Explain how Jesus taught His disciples to serve one another in love, just as He had served them.

The Commandment: You could try using a large piece of paper or a whiteboard to write out the wonderful commandment thatt Jesus gave His disciples at the Last Supper: "Love one another as I have loved you." Discuss how this commandment is at the heart of the Christian faith, and how we are called to love others in the same way that Jesus loved us.

The Betrayal - coins: Use a small bag of coins to represent the thirty pieces of silver that Judas received for betraying Jesus. Discuss how Judas' betrayal led to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, and how this event reminds us of the importance of honesty, loyalty, and trust. It also reminds us of various way that we are tempted to betray Jesus.

These are just a few Sunday School object lesson ideas for Maundy Thursday. Even if you don’t use them during Holy Week you could use them at some other time in the year. Remember to keep the lessons age-appropriate and interactive to engage the children's attention and help them better understand the significance of this important day in the Christian faith. Blessings - A.H.

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