Nebuchadnezzar Testimony

Materials
In the middle of your meeting room, lay out as many of the following items as you can find to be used as props: a packet of seeds, a flower, a pencil eraser, a pencil, a blank sheet of paper, several balloons, a fork, sandals or tennis shoes, a telephone, a newspaper, several pieces of wood bubbles, a dust rag, finger paints and paper grocery bags, a brick, a pillow, a banana peel, a flashlight, a harmonica, an empty cup, and a bar of soap. Add other things as you wish. You'll also need Bibles.

Introduction
Read aloud the story of the change that occured in King Nubuchadnezzer in Daniel 4.

King Nubuchadnezzer's story of how he began a relationship with God is exciting, but it's no more unique than your story. Take a few minutes to think about how you became a Christian. Then think about ways you might use one or more of these props to explain to others the story of how you became a Christian.

Activity
Form two teams. Have as many kids who are willing use as many props as they can to tell the whole group how they became Christians. Allow only the same number of kids from each team to share. Award teams 1,000 points for each prop used by its team members. Props may be used more than once but not in the same way that someone else previously used them. After each person has had a turn, tally the points and congratulate the winning team.

Debrief
Next have kids choose a partner from the opposite team to form pairs. Wrap up the game by asking pairs to discuss these questions:

1. Why do we sometimes get more excited about "extraordinary" conversion stories like King Nubuchadnezzer than "ordinary" ones?
2. Are people better or worse Christians based on how they were before they became Christians? Explain.
3. What are some creative ways to tell others about how you became a Christian?
4. Why is it important to use different methods in telling how we became Christians?

Application
The fourth chapter of Daniel tells the story of Nebuchadnezzar's turning to God. He told his testimony voluntarily and enthusiastically:

1) His life before he turned to God. He begins by telling us what happened eight years before. "I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my place, contented and prosperous." But his ease and prosperous condition did not last long because he says, "I had a dream that made me afraid..." Then he shared how he suffered from a mental condition.

2) How he turned to God. "At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my sanity was restored. He repented and turned to God.

3) The results of turning to God. "At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom... and I became even greater than before."