A Heart for Jesus
The Holy Spirit can reach our heart no matter how much we may have sinned.
TOPICS:Hardened Heart, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Sin MATERIALS:Instruction slip page [PDF] Click here DURATION:Approximately 10 minutes |
 |
PREPARATION:
Before class, print the instruction slip page. Cut and attach one slip to each Tootsie Roll Pop so you have one for each child.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:
The children will take home their candy and follow the instructions on the paper slip. If Tootsie Roll Pops are unavailable, you can easily modify this object talk to use individually wrapped sandwich cookies.
WHAT YOU WILL SAY:
What I have here is a yummy Tootsie Roll Pop! Everyone loves Tootsie Roll Pops! There is delicious candy on the outside, and even more delicious chewy Tootsie Roll in the center. You know this candy reminds me about how a person can have a relationship with Jesus.
First, the center of this candy is soft, like a person’s heart. The Bible talks about having a hard heart. How does a heart become hard? Well, it is sin. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The hard candy reminds me of sin that covers the heart. Each time someone sins, another layer of hard stuff surrounds the heart. Then, to make it worse, people refuse to admit they are sinners. Instead, they cover their sin with pride, denial, even doing things that make them look good. That is like the wrapper covering this candy.
When a person removes the wrapper of denial and pride (remove wrapper), the Holy Spirit can complete His work. He can lick past all the hard stuff covering your heart (take a few licks) and give you the gift of life that comes from knowing Jesus as Savior. Your heart then belongs to Jesus, and that is a wonderful ending. Now we will get ready for the homework! (Pass out one candy with instruction slip attached to each child.) I want each of you to take your Tootsie Roll Pop home. Yes, your homework is to eat the Tootsie Roll Pop. Not so bad is it! However, as you do I want you to following the instructions on the small slip of paper that is attached. That part is very important.
Verses on instruction slip:
Jeremiah 23:24 "Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all urighteousness.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.