The Way to God

Objects
A world map, a geographic map of your country; a street directory or detailed map showing your church location

Activity
1. Bring out the world map or a globe. Give children places/ countries to find on the globe. Reward the children who find them first.
2. Then pretend you have been invited to someone’s house which is in a small road not too far from the church. Explain that you do not know exactly where it is.
3. Ask the children to find it for you on the globe -- Look first at your world map, and then your country map. These do not help you.
4. If we want to find out where a particular street is in our town we need a map with an even smaller scale: a street map. These maps give details right down to houses, churches and parks.
5. Show the kids a map and ask them to find the street or show them the location of the friend and the location of the church.
6. Ask kids to show A WAY between the church and the place where the person lives. It does not have to be the smartest, shortest, or fastest way. Each kid can actually come up with a way to get there. In fact there will be lots of ways to get from point A to point B.
7. Then ask the kids to show you THE WAY to get from point A to point B. They will look confused. Usually, they will ask, "Which way?" The use of the word THE implies that I have a certain way in mind.

Read the Scripture Text: John 14:5-14
Jesus identifies himself as "the way, the truth, and the life." All have relevance. The "way" speaks of a connection, of the link between God and man. Jesus not only shows us the way, but he IS the way. The "truth" reminds us of the complete reliability and trustworthiness of Jesus in all that he is, he does, and he says. Jesus not only reveals the truth, but is the embodiment of truth. The "life" stresses the fact that mere existence matters little. The only life that is meaningful is that which Jesus brings, for He is life itself. Because of these three things, no one can come to God except through Jesus.

Application
Many people see the road to heaven as a map with many possible routes. They say that it doesn't matter which way you go. We will all end up at the same place. In John 14:6, Jesus said I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. Not A way, A truth, and A life.

Of course, the best way to get there would be to find someone who knows the place and follow him there. That's Jesus!