It is precisely when every earthly hope has been explored and found wanting, when every possibility of help from earthly sources has been sought and is not forthcoming, when every recourse this world offers, moral as well as material, has been drawn on and expended with no effect, when in the shivering cold every log has been thrown on the
God does not condemn us to Hell; God wishes all humans to be saved. He will love us to all eternity, but there will exist the possibility that we do not accept the love and do not respond to it. And the refusal to accept love, the refusal to respond to it, that precisely is the meaning of Hell. Hell …
Materials
You’ll need three or four blindfolds and several objects to set up a small obstacle course.
Preparation
Ask one or two adult assistants to help you set up the course. Alternatively, blindfold everyone and lead them about the church. As you begin your message, have your assistants set up an obstacle course in front of the area where the …
Object
Lots of different kinds and sizes and shapes of keys: old-fashioned keys, keys on quirky key rings, a two-footlong honorary key (as “a key to the city”), hotel keys (both the traditional kind and the plastic card kind with the electronic code), etc. Also have a lock which can be opened by one of the keys.
Object Lesson
Each …
Materials
A compass
Learning Activity
1. As a small game, stand in the center of the room and let students arrange themselves in lines next to you to form a cross “+”.
2. Designate one line of the cross as “North.”
3. Designate the remaining three lines the other directions of the compass (East, etc)
4. Then using the compass, …
A young Buddhist monk walked with an elder monk on their way back to their temple after several days of travel. On the way, they came to a creek bed, the banks of which had softened to a wet, slushy mess. At the edge of the creek stood an attractive young woman dressed in traditional gowns, who was obviously wanting …
Materials
* Find a few of the puzzles which display two pictures where there are differences between the pictures.
(If you cannot find such puzzles, photocopy a children’s coloring book then “whiteout” lines and add additional lines etc. to make your own puzzles. )
* As a variation, you can copy a couple puzzles to transparency sheets and place them …
Materials
Tape, glue, stapler, and a bolt.
Activity
I would like for you to discover what this tape, glue, stapler, and bolt have in common. Think about it.
(Allow them to answer.)
That’s right! They are all used to hold things together. Most of you probably have tape and glue in your desk at school or in your room. You …
Object
A large mirror and a small mirror
Questions
(Pass around the small mirror for kids too look at themselves in it while asking a few questions)
Q: How many of you like to see yourselves in a mirror?
Q. How many of you would like to see God?
A: Lots of people want to see God. It is sometimes …
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 …