Leader Guide

Object Lesson

What did we say it means to be content? To be satisfied, happy, and at peace.     

 

What are some things that you’d like to have someday? Clothes, games, electronic devices, sports items, musical instruments, music, etc.  

 

Write answers on the left half of the board. If someone says a spiritual desire, place it on the right side. 

What are some blessings from God you have now? Home, clothing, food, friends, family, salvation, peace, love.

 

Write answers on the right half of the board. 

This is a good list. Place the “What I Have” box in front of you with one sign facing the children. This box represents the blessings God has given us, like the items you listed on the right side of the board.    

Place the “What I Want” about 6 feet to one side of the first box. This box represents all the things we would like to have that are listed on the left side of the board. 

Stand behind the “What I Have” box again. Paul and Silas were thankful and content even in the worst of circumstances because they belonged to Jesus, and they had hope of an eternal reward waiting in heaven. They focused on the blessings that they had. 

Paul wrote about this in Philippians 4:11–13:

For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Point to the board. We made a list of the things that we want. And it’s okay to want things. It could be a new video game that was just released, or a new T-shirt, or an electronic device. Yet, there is a point in which wanting something can become a sin. In fact, God listed that sin in the Ten Commandments. Can someone tell me what the Tenth Commandment is? Do not covet.

 

Covet means to want something so badly that you become consumed or obsessed with possessing it.

Read Exodus 20:17:

“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”

You probably have not coveted an ox or a donkey! However, the end of the verse says we should not covet anything that belongs to our neighbor. The Bible also says our neighbor isn’t just the person who lives near us—our neighbor means everyone! So—it’s wrong to covet anything from anyone! 

For example, if a friend gets the video game that you have been wanting, you should be happy for your friend. And it’s okay to say, “I hope that someday I can get one, too.” But it would be wrong to get jealous of your friend and become fixated on the video game so it’s all you can think about. That’s coveting, and it’s sinful. 

Paul did not focus on things he didn’t have. He didn’t covet fancy things or long for comfort. 

Point toward the “What I Have” box. Paul kept his eyes fixed on the Lord and on doing His will. When he did that, he was content and thankful with whatever God gave him. It is so important for us to remain thankful for the blessings God has given us and not to covet the things we want. 

Matthew 6:33 says: 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

Turn and stare at the “What I Want” box and slowly walk toward it as if mesmerized and drawn to it. When we focus on things we don’t have, we become discontented and miserable; we cease to be thankful to God. We may begin to grumble and complain and become jealous or envious of what others have. This is not pleasing to God!   

Return to the “What I Have” box and point toward it. Like Paul and Silas, we need to appreciate the gifts that God has given us—especially His wonderful gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. True contentment only comes from Him.

Read Ephesians 1:3: 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Think about that—when we have Jesus, we have every spiritual blessing! Paul said he could do everything through Christ who gave him strength. Through Christ, we can do all things, too—we can be content and satisfied, no matter the circumstances. Paul could rejoice in prison because he had learned that true joy and contentment doesn’t come from having things—it comes from knowing Christ! 

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “I will rejoice and be content.”