Object Lesson

Each soldier in Gideon’s small army was equipped with a horn, a clay jar, and a torch. Through Gideon’s obedience and these unusual weapons, God gave Israel the victory over their enemies. As we learned from the video, Gideon certainly wasn’t a great leader or warrior before God called him to lead the people—far from it! However, Gideon was empowered to do great things because he obeyed and trusted God! The Lord told Gideon that He would be with Him! That is what made the difference. Did you know that we are like the clay jars and torches? Let’s read what the Apostle Paul wrote in one of his letters to Christian believers. 

Have two children each read one verse of 2 Corinthians 4:6–7:

⁶ For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷ We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

Isn’t that exciting? Paul was talking about his ministry of carrying the Gospel to a dark world that had not heard about Jesus. He called this a great treasure! He knew that his own body was weak and compared it to a fragile clay jar. The great power that he had was God inside Him! 

Hold up the clay pot and turn it around so children can see it. We are like this fragile clay pot that Paul talked about. We cannot do great things in our own strength. Oh look—there is something inside the pot! 

Hand the slip of paper to a child to read aloud. Jesus. 

We are like Gideon and the torch, and we are also like Paul with the great treasure—because we have Jesus inside us! 

Hold the pot upside-down, put the flashlight inside, and turn it on. Can you see the light very well? 

Lift the pot up. How about now? 

Let’s read what Jesus said about letting our lights shine. 

Read Matthew 5:14–16 (cev):

You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we have a special light in our hearts that will never go out. Though we are weak, His Spirit gives us power to accomplish great things with God! We want to let our lights shine so others will see God’s love in everything that we do and say. 

Let’s say our SuperVerse together:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.