Object Lesson: Do You Like Pizza?

Props: Pizza box, white or black paper or material glued to cover the inside of the box. Cut out felt red mouths which you can velcro to the inside of the open box. (Using a black permanant marker, write the bold words on the felt mouths)

Bible Verse:  "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
 Psalm 19:14 NIV.

How many of you like pizza? How many of you love pizza? How many of you could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? How about just wearing this box with a string around your neck so you can keep this with you all day long? Anytime you want a piece, just open the box and nibble away. Would you enjoy that? Now, don’t  do this in front of your friends; but of course, you may make some new friends that day.

Let’s take a look inside. Maybe I will even give you all a piece of what is inside. (Open the box and just hear the examinations). Did I say, pizza was inside? Did I tell you I would give a peice of pizza? No, not really. But my actions let you think that I had some delicious pepperoni pizza inside just waiting to melt in your mouth.

Our words and actions are important in serving Jesus. We can say we are a Christian yet act mean to others and hurt our testimony. God’s Word tell us "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NIV.)
 

Sometimes, people may act one way, pretending to be a Christian and going to church, and then tell a lie to keep from getting into trouble or to get someone else in trouble (add “: Lying” cutout) God is unhappy when we tell lies. His commandant is that we do not tell lies – ever!)

Have you ever cheated on a test? (Add “Cheating” cutout) You do not have to tell me, but God knows if you have any unconfessed sin like that in your heart. Maybe the kid who sits next to you is a great speller and you have a lot of trouble with spelling. Satan tells you that, “It really may not hurt to peek and see how they are spelling a certain word – would it?” Of course, this would displease God. When we steal, we are pretending that we know the word when we do not.

There are times when we are tempted to call someone a mean name (add “Name calling” cutout) When someone else calls us a name it is tempting to call them one back. Jesus wants us to turn the other cheek. That means to forgive them, and then do your best to be nice to them regardless of what they say to you. Sometimes, when we turn the other cheek we make them feel ashamed of their behavior and they in turn may be nicer to us.

Have you ever taken something that does not belong to you? (Add “stealing” cutout) There are more ways than one to steal. We can steal a material object such as a cookie, doll, pencil, bike, eraser, or we can steal the praise that some one should have received. We pretend like we were the one who did all the work when really we had help. This is stealing as well. In the book of Exodus, God says, “Thou shall not steal anything”.

I pretended like I had some pizza here in this box and it was a great disappointment to some of you today. Are you being a disappointment to Jesus in your behavior? Have you been pretending to be a Christian and doing some of these things? God will forgive you if you ask Him to and repent for your sin. He loves you and wants to help you grow strong and resist these temptations. It will not always be easy, but He has promised to help you. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (“Webster's Bible Translation).

Questions for Discussion:
1. Why are our words important?
2. How can our words do damage to others?
3. How can our words be encouraging to others?
4. What does God say about our words?
5. How can our actions match our words?

 

© KidzMinistry.net Jeanne McInotsh January 17, 2009 All rights reserved.