Hidden Things

I have a set of nesting, Nutcracker dolls that I display at Christmas time. They’re whimsical and fun to open and they always bring to mind a spiritual truth: I am hidden with Christ in God.  This Bible lesson is inspired by them. If you decide to teach it, but don’t have a set of nesting dolls, I’ve included a link in the props section to purchase a set or you may use my pictures posted here. 

God bless you as you teach children about our Savior!
Sarah Keith

Prop: set of nesting dolls or pictures of nesting dolls.

Ask: "Are you familiar with nesting dolls?" (Show the dolls) Nesting dolls are a family of dolls placed one inside of the other. The largest doll holds a smaller doll (open it), that holds an even smaller doll (open it), and another (open it) and another . . . (and so forth). 

Nesting dolls can help us understand something about our relationship to God! If I were to drop them, the dolls on the inside would be kept safe, because the largest one would take the blow for the other dolls hidden inside of it. This reminds me of today’s Bible verse, which says, our lives are hidden with Christ in God. This is a protected position and explains a spiritual truth. The Bible tells us that apart from Jesus Christ, we are considered enemies of God (Romans 5:8-10). That is a dangerous position. But because God loves us, even while we were against him in our thoughts, words, and actions, he came to earth as a human being to take the punishment that we deserve for sinning against him. In other words, Jesus took the blows for us when he was crucified (Isaiah 53; John 1:1-14). 

So how can we make sure that we are hidden with Christ in God? We must admit to God that we have sinned and trust that Jesus died to take our punishment. God promises to remove our sins. He won't even remember them (Hebrews 8:12; Psalm 103:12). The Bible says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9. This places us in God’s protected position and we are given the gift of eternal life (John 3; 1 Peter 1:3). But that’s not all! When we are in Christ, the Bible says we become new people, our old selves are gone (2 Corinthians 5:17), we become part of God's family (John 1:12-13), and are given spiritual blessings*, (Ephesians 1:3). And not only that, we are given the willpower to want to obey Jesus (Ephesians 1:19)! 

(Separate a smaller doll from the others) 

What might happen to this doll if it weren't part of the family? (Receive answers) It wouldn't be protected. It could get lost or broken. Thankfully, we don't have to be separated from Jesus! We can ask him to be our Savior and Forever Friend and live with him for eternity. The Bible says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:13.

Before Jesus went to the cross to take the punishment for our sins, he prayed for his followers. He even prayed for those people who would come to believe and follow him in the future! Listen now to part of what he prayed: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me . . . that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" John 17:20-21.

Let’s pray: “Dear Jesus, Thank you for your protection. Thank you for loving me, dying for me, forgiving me, and giving me the gift of eternal life. Please help me to obey you. Amen.”

*What are some more spiritual blessings available to the child of God? (God is our Helper, Deliverer, Redeemer, Provider, Friend, Guide . . . add to this list! Email me!) 

Copyright 2020 Sarah Keith – SundaySchoolNetwork.com

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