Train Up a Child

As children of God, we are called to holy living. Holiness means to be totally devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for His special use and set asoide from sin and its influence. We are different from the rest of the world. For our lives reflect God and His ways. "So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.... But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is Holy. For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:13-16) This week talk with your kids about Holiness. Here are a few ideas to help you in the discussion.

Strong as a Water Balloon

Items needed:
Two balloons, not inflated (two paper/plastic cups will also work)
Candle or matches
Water

• Inflate one of the balloons and tie it.

• Put about ¼ cup of water in the other balloon, inflate and tie it.

• Light the candle (or light a match) and hold it under the balloon WITHOUT the water. It’s okay if the flame even touches the balloon.

• Hold the balloon WITH water over the candle or match.

Why does one balloon pop and one doesn’t? Why does the balloon with no water break in the flame? The flame heats whatever is placed in it so it heats both balloons. The rubber of the balloon without water becomes so hot that it becomes too weak to resist the pressure of the air inside the balloon and pops.

Why doesn’t the balloon with water in it resisting popping when heated by the flame? The water absorbs most of the heat from the flame, so the rubber of the balloon does not become very hot. Since the rubber doesn’t become hot, it doesn’t weaken, and the balloon does not break.

Ask:

How did filling the balloon with something (water) make it stronger?
How can you be stronger if you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
After Jesus died and came alive again, He told His disciples that He would send someone to help them, to comfort them, and to guide them. That someone is the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches that when a person becomes a Christian, God’s Holy Spirit comes to live inside. (“Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)

Every person was born with a desire to sin, but the Holy Spirit can help fight against sin. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible and He can use that to help you know the right way to live. Every time you say no to your own selfish way and yes to the Holy Spirit, you become stronger. He will help you to be more loving, peaceful, joyful, gentle, humble, and self-controlled (Galatians 5:22-23). Ask for His help every day.

Eat Out of the Garbage Can?!

When it's time for lunch or dinner, pull the trash can to the table and start looking through it for something to eat. Offer this to the kids and look puzzled when they reject it.

Ask:

Why don't you want to eat out of the garbage can?
Why is it just as important to be careful about what you put into your mind?
Say something like:
If we do not put bad things (garbage) into our bodies, we must be careful not to let bad things into our minds. What you put into your mind stays there and will affect what you do.
What are some things we shouldn't let into our minds?


Run Away

Items needed:
Bowl (cereal bowl is fine) with water covering the bottom
Pepper
Liquid dishwashing detergent
Toothpick or matchstick

• Sprinkle some pepper over the water.

• Dip the toothpick into the detergent and place a drop of detergent in the middle of the water.

• What does the pepper do? (runs away)

Why does the pepper run away?
Water molecules are strongly attracted to each other and this creates surface tension. (This is what allowed the pepper to float on top of the water.) When you put the detergent in the water, it makes the surface tension weak. The water’s surface tension force is stronger than the detergent’s surface tension force, so the water pulls away from the soap and carries the pepper with it.

Just like the pepper “ran away” from the detergent, Christians should “run away” from sin. First Thessalonians 5:22 says, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (Abstain comes from a Middle English word that means to avoid.) You should try to avoid temptation to do wrong.

Ask:
What are some ways you can avoid (stay away from) evil?
If someone asks you to do something you know is not right, what can you do?