| Preparation:
Before class, take slightly moisten sand and fill a small bowl. Draw windows
and a door on two paper cups.
What you will do during class:
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 sand castle. 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 that anyone who hears the words
of God and puts them into practice is like a wise man that 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 then 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.)
Ask the following 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? |
