| Preparation:
Before class, link paper clips together to form three chains. One chain
using about 40 paper clips, another using about 20 and a third using about
5.
What you will do during class:
During the class, you will ask volunteers to help you with a boring project,
and tell them that they will get a reward for their efforts. While the
volunteers are working, the rest of the class can look up and read Matthew
20: 1-16. Each volunteer will get a chain of linked paper clips. After
the first volunteer is about half way finished unlinking the longest chain
of paper clips, a second volunteer will help you with the middle-sized
chain. When both are almost finished, you will ask a third volunteer to
unlink the short chain of paper clips, each time offering the same reward.
Most likely grumbling will occur from the first and second volunteer,
which is part of the plan.
What you will say:
"I would like someone to help me with a very boring project. I have
a bunch of paper clips, accidentally linked together. They are of no use
to me this way. If someone will help unlink these clips, when finished
I will reward you with this great prize." Show candy and let them
begin. When this first child is about half way finished say, "I have
another bunch of paper clips all linked together, would someone else like
to help me with these? I will reward you with the same prize." When
the first two are almost finished, say, "I still have one more small
bunch of paper clips liked together, would someone else like to help me
with these, for the same prize?" When all are finished, give each
their rewards, and ask the following questions:
1. How did you feel when I first offered you a great reward to help me?
2. How did you feel when the next person got the same reward for doing
less work?
3. (To volunteer number 3) How did you feel when you got the smallest
chain of paper clips?
4. Everyone else, do you think what I did was fair?
I know it does not seem fair, that someone who only did a little work
got the same reward as someone else who did much more. Do you know Jesus
said the Kingdom of Heaven is similar? You see some people receive Jesus
when they are very young. They have a whole lifetime to work for God,
by doing things like helping others, praying, or by teaching. Some people
do not receive Jesus however until they are very old. They may only have
a short time to serve Him. Receiving Jesus early in life is like when
(name of first volunteer) volunteered to help. She/He had a long time
to serve. Receiving Jesus later in life is like when (names of second
and third volunteers) volunteered to help. They were still able to serve
the Lord, but not for as long. The reward is the same for everyone who
receives Christ, no matter how old they are when they do. That reward
of course is everlasting life with Jesus in heaven. So remember, working
hard and serving Jesus is a privilege and a joy that we can have as Christians,
because we know that our reward is coming. |
