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Wise Builder

This Object Talk will show why it is important to build on a solid foundation to weather life's storms. That foundation is the Word of God.

TOPICS:

Foolishness, Wisdom, Word of God 

MATERIALS:

1 medium size rock
2 paper cups, 1 small bowl
1 or 2 cups of moist sand
1 medium to large casserole dish
Pitcher of water

DURATION:

Approximately 15 minutes

rain cloud

PREPARATION:

Before class, take slightly moistened sand and fill a small bowl. Draw windows and a door on two paper cups.    

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

During class, you will put the empty casserole dish on the table so that all the children can see it. Then you will take the small bowl with the sand in it and tip it upside down inside the casserole dish to make something like a small sandcastle. Do not worry if a little crumbles. Place the medium size rock at the other end of the casserole dish. Then place a paper cup house on both the sand and the rock. You will then pour water over both to show how a house built on a solid foundation can withstand the heavy storms. 

WHAT YOU WILL SAY:

Do you believe that anyone could be so foolish that he or she would build a house on top of sand? (Take one of the paper cups and place it on top of the sand.) Wiser people will build their house on a good foundation. (Take the second cup and place it on top of the rock.)

Which house do you think will last, and which one do you think will wash away? You know the Bible tells us in Matthew 7:24-27, "Anyone who hears the words of God and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Take the pitcher of water and pour a little water on the rock.)

Jesus said, "But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." (Take the pitcher of water and pour a little water on the sand and the house will fall.)

Dicussion Questions:

1. Why is it important to put God's Word into practice?
2. How can God's Word make us stronger?
3. What kind of storms in our lives can God help us withstand?
4. Can anyone give any examples on how some people may be building their lives on a foundation of sand?
5. What are some ways we can build our lives on the rock?