I John. 4:4; I Peter. 1:6-9; Philippians 4:13; II Corinthians 1:8-11
Lesson:
I recently used a pair of balloon snowman to illustrate the power of having Christ in us in the face of suffering and problems. Make the snowmen by using two 9 inch white round balloons and two 160 red balloons, each inflated to about 8-10 inches. Blow up the first 9 inch white balloon to about 6 inches, twist it into two balls (with the smaller ball being on the nozzle end--it will be the top or head of the snowman), and wrap the 8-10 inch 160 around the twist between the two balls of the snowman (this will hold the two parts in place and also serve as a scarf on the snowman). You can draw eyes, nose and mouth on the upper ball of the snowman. You will make the second snowman the same way, except that you will fill the 9 inch white balloon with about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water before you blow it up. Without letting the water escape, blow the balloon on up with air to about 6 inches (same size as first balloon). Proceed to make it like the first balloon, keeping the water in the bottom, larger portion of the snowman.
Make both of these up in advance. For presentation, you will need both balloons and a candle with extra matches. With the candle lit, you can explain that a person without faith in Christ, without Christ in his life, is the like the first snowman (the one with just air). When problems and difficulties come into his life, his life often breaks down under the heat and pressures that he is facing. Hold the snowman with just air about 5-6 inches over the flame of the candle by the nozzle and within a few seconds it will break. Relight the candle. Take the snowman with water in it and explain that when Christ is in our lives, when we have faith in Him (as represented by water in the balloon), then
we can withstand the heat and pressures of life. Then hold the snowman (by the nozzle) about 5-6 inches over the flame of the candle and it will not burst.
Point:
Faith in God can help us withstand the pressures of life.
Author:
Dale Powell
In categories:
Trust/Faith
Patience
Christian Living