Changed Heart
Children's Sermon and Activity on New Life in Christ
I have a nice object lesson for kids on changing our hearts and seeking God. I make homemade play dough and leave it white. I take a little bit and roll it into a ball, then make a well so that it is more like a little bowl. Drip a couple of drops of food coloring in the well and close it up so it still seems like a little white ball. You can choose a specific color for your purpose such as green for new creations or purple for royalty. Place the ball into a Ziploc bag, giving one to each student.
Choose a Bible lesson dealing with change* of heart such as Zacchaeus or Paul. For example, I just used it with Nicodemus asking Jesus how to enter into the kingdom of heaven. I gave each child a little dough in a baggie and told them that any time I said the word "change," they should knead their dough. I shared the scripture of John 3 and embellished the story a bit when we imagine getting back into our mother's tummy. Then I take the time to explain what it means to be born of water and the spirit.
Then go on to say that when God enters our hearts we change. I make sure I say "change" a lot and refer back to Nicodemus as I tell the story. When the kids realize the dough is changing color, it's very hard for them not to keep kneading it. That's okay, because then you can say that the more God works on our hearts, the more we change into the creation He wants us to become. You can continue by saying that after we know Him, change will continue and that we will want to do the right thing. That's how we know that we belong to God. We are different or changed! I emphasize that salvation through Christ is a process. We don't become the person God wants us to be overnight. I point to the fact that God is still working on me and has been working in some areas for a long time!
*Make sure you say the word change a lot and emphasize it as you tell your Bible lesson.
Here's a good play dough recipe: 1 cup white flour, 1/4 cup salt, 2 Tbs.. cream of tartar, 1 cup water, 1 Tbs. vegetable oil, food coloring. Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a medium pot. Add water and oil. Stir over medium hear for 3 to 5 minutes. It will look "globby," but it will turn to dough! When the mixture forms a ball in the center of the pot, turn off the stove and let it cool. Then take it out and knead it on a floured surface. When it feels smooth and nice to work with, you're done. Add food coloring to bits of the dough as you wish, or use it for the lesson above. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Hope someone is able to use this. Thanks to everyone who contributes to this site.
In Christ,
Julie Wolf
Copyright 2003 Julie Wolf
twolf001@rochester.rr.com
Return to the Sermons and Object Lessons page
You can make a
difference!
Your purchases
and donations to the site help to distribute
our children's ministry resources to churches across the world.
Subscribe to our Newsletter - Learn More