Teaching Illustrations

Four Wives

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There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.

He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.

Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How lonely I’ll be!”

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.

The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, “I always turned to you for help and you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.” The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.

Then a voice called out : “I’ll leave with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !”

Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives

a. The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.

b. Our 3rd wife ? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.

c. The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

d. The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.

Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament

 


MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

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Devotional

Who’s your Ninevah?

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Jonah is one of my favorite Bible characters.

Out of his comfort Zone
Jonah was faithfully serving God, living among his own people and sharing God’s words for them. Then God suddenly asks him to do something that was a little outside the norm.

In the Old Testament, Israel witnessed to the world by serving God and living for Him, setting themselves apart for Him. They did not go to the world, but instead the world, enticed by their faith and prosperity, came to them. When God asked Jonah to go to Ninevah, that was simply “not the way things were done”.

Instead of proclaiming the words of God to his own people, as most prophets were called to do, Jonah was to go to a new place, Ninevah, and tell them about God. At the time of Jonah, Ninevah was a large Gentile city, about 60 miles in circumference with a population of about 600,000 people.

Hostile Listeners
Ninevah was the capital city of
Assyria and was renowned as one of the most cruel and brutal nations in the ancient world. They thought nothing of burying their enemies alive, skinning them alive, or impaling them on
sharp poles under the hot sun until they died of sunburn and exposure.

Unwelcome Message
Furthermore, Jonah’s message was not to be one of “God’s Love”, but of “God’s Judgement.” Its one thing to tell others about God’s love, but to tell of God’s judgement is not a welcome message people want to hear.

Jonah’s Response?
Add it up and we can understand why Jonah would run! Outside his comfort zone, hostile listeners, and an unwelcome message.

Looking at Ourselves
How often our lives are overturned because God asks us to do something that was simply not comfortable, or worse, against the norms. He calls us to deliver his words, but it’s not to someone we want to tell. And sometimes his message is simply not welcome.

Who is your Ninevah?
We can’t be content to live our lives as Christians and hope the world will come to us. The New Testament “Great Commission” was to go into the world and make disciples of ALL nations. Are we willing to get out of our comfort zone to do so?

That’s the story of Jonah. We see his struggle, his failures, and we can understand. We also see God’s grace and compassion in dealing with his children, as well as, his over arching purpose to offer redemption to everyone – even the worst of us. I may not find myself in the belly of a whale, but I know I often do a little “belly-aching” when it comes to obedience in my own life. I have also seen God go to extraordinary means to get my attention, offer me his grace, and lovingly encourage my obedience to his call!

The life of Jonah is full of lessons for all of us. To explore these lessons yourself, or with the youth you work with, check out “A Whale of a Tale”, my Bible Study curriculum based on the life of Jonah. It’s great for youth camps or for a Bible study series.

Click here to find out about my youth Camp Curriculum “A Whale of a Tale” on the book of Jonah.

Teaching Illustrations

Dart Test

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A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary class and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target, and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told his students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture, if they wished.

Sally’s girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripped apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn’t have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the Target was a picture of Jesus.

A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face, and His eyes were pierced.

Dr. Smith said only these words…..

“In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40.

No other words were necessary; tears filled the eyes of the students, focused only on the picture of Christ.

MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
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Parents Ministry, Teaching Illustrations

Wooden Bowl

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A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about grandfather,” said the son. I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather’s direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day building blocks are being laid for the child’s future.

Let us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, … and those you love, … today, and everyday!


MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

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Inspiration

Eagles in a Storm

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Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?

The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us – and all of us will experience them – we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God’s power to lift us above them.

God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.


MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”

200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.

Learn More…

Food for Thought, Humor

Christian Home

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After the christening of his baby brother in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.

His father asked him three times what was wrong.

Finally, the boy replied, “That pastor said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, but I want to stay with you guys!”

Game Ideas

Easter Egg Bowling

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Place a chocolate rabbit in the center of a large circle. Players are each given one Easter egg and must stand just outside the circle. The objective is for them to take turns rolling their egg towards the chocolate rabbit in the center of the circle. The egg which gets the closest to the rabbit without touching it gets the chocolate rabbit. If they touch the rabbit, or break their egg, they are disqualified!

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Devotional

It is Finished?

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“It is finished.” The implication of the Greek word is “This is complete.” It is accomplished, fulfilled, completed. Then you can put an exclamation point after the phrase. There is no question mark. Redemption is complete. You can’t add to it. You can’t subtract from it. It doesn’t need something added to it. Jesus accomplished perfect redemption for men. He completed what we could not even begin. His blood was shed. It’s more than all the blood of all the sacrifices ever offered.

Hebrews 10:8-14: “First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

Christ finished the task God purposed him to do. God finished his work on the Cross so that his redemption might be complete in our lives.

Have you completed the task God has for you? Can you say “It is Finished. I have completed what God has given me to do? God’s plan and purpose for my life have been accomplished. God has used the minutes, hours, days, months and years that have been entrusted to me and God’s will and purpose have been done in my life.”

John, standing at the foot of the cross, relays to us Christ’s final words. They are words, not of despair, but of triumph – “It is finished.” His redemption for you and me is complete. There is nothing we can do to add to it. There is nothing we can do to earn it. Nothing can take it away.

All that is left for us to do, is in gratitude and love to let him to continue to reach out to a lost and dying world through us. To proclaim God’s offer of redemption triumphantly to anyone who will place themselves at the foot of the cross. Our prayer is that God might finish His purpose through us as well!

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Devotional

In God’s Hands

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“Into thine hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” (Lk 23:46)

It has been suggested that since the Lord’s last words were “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit”, His first words at the resurrection would have been a continuation of the Psalm 31:5 from which He had quoted: “Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth”. But David didn’t say Ps. 31:5 on his deathbed. They were not words of despair. It was not a final giving in after a time of struggle. Instead, it was an expression of David’s desire to commit his soul to the Father in gratefulness and praise.

It’s so difficult to place our lives into the hands of someone else. The apostles must have been quite disturbed to hear Jesus first words from the cross “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34). Those words, taken from Psalm 22, words begin with David’s feelings of despair but end with words of thanksgiving for victory.

When Jesus said, “Father, into your hands,” He knew He was in safe keeping because He was in His Father’s hands. He knew God would never drop Him and He was safe and secure. Jesus speaking of us said, no man would be able to pluck us out of the hands of God. Paul said the same thing in 2 Timothy 1:12: “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

We do not need to fear. We are in the hands of God. We must make the same journey from isolation and despair with God’s seeming lack of help – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” to commitment to allow God to finish his will in us – “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”.

Get Creative Youth Ideas: "Easter Collection" ebook Easter Collection
Games and Activities in celebration of Easter.

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