Leader Guide
Object Lesson
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
- Table
- Two video games, or just the boxes for the games
- Two pencils of different colors
- Two different types of balls, such as tennis, soccer, football, basketball, etc.
- Two types of apples or other fruit
- Index card
- Marker
Note: You may substitute pairs of objects for what is listed and modify the presentation, if you desire.
Write “God” on the index card in large letters.
Place the table near the children so they can see easily.
Place all of the items randomly on the table—do not group like objects together.
Optional: Read 1 Kings 18:21:
Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.
The people of Israel wanted to serve God at times and Baal at other times. Elijah challenged them to make a choice. There was only one true, living God—the God who had created them and rescued them from Egypt! Only He was worthy of their devotion and worship. You cannot worship both the true God and false idols!
Choose five volunteers to come to the table. One at a time, have the first four children hold up a pair of matching objects—the video games, pencils, balls, and fruit—then discuss the similarities and differences of that pair.
Would it matter if you chose one type one day, and the other type another day?
Is one object more important or superior to the other, or are they basically the same and equal?
Give the fifth volunteer the index card with the word “God” and ask the child to find a match. Ask why this is impossible. Discuss how, with the other paired objects, it did not really matter which one was chosen. They held equal value and importance. That is not the same with God—there is no other God—there is no equal or match!
Read 1 Kings 18:38–39:
Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—He is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”
Many Israelites probably thought that God and Baal were equal. Elijah prayed for God to prove that He alone is the God of Israel. The Lord responded with a powerful miracle that caused all of the Israelites to bow in worship to God! We must choose whom we will worship and serve. No one or anything on Earth is worthy of our worship but God! Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “There is only one God.”