Leader Guide
Coin Object Lesson
- Tarnished pennies: one per child plus one for presentation
- Three clear plastic cups or jars
- 12 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 3 teaspoons of salt
- 3 plastic spoons
- Paper towels
Combine 4 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt together in each clear plastic cup or jar and stir.
Note: Use more or fewer clear plastic cups or jars depending on your class size.
What do you remember from the Superbook video about Saul before he met Jesus?
Saul thought he was serving God by persecuting the Christians. But he was deceived and didn’t know the truth about God’s Son, Jesus. Hold up a penny.
Do you see how this penny is dark and discolored? What was originally a bright, shiny coin is now discolored and tarnished. Saul was tarnished with sin. But his life was changed when he met Jesus, face to face.
Place the coin in the cup and allow it to soak for a minute as you talk.
Jesus revealed Himself to Saul, changed his life, and put Saul on the right path to obey God’s call on his life! Saul had a new life and purpose!
Remove the coin with the spoon and wipe it off with the paper towel to reveal a shiny coin! Allow children to place their coins in the cups, remove them after a minute and wipe them off as you continue to share Paul’s story.
Paul began to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He spent the rest of his life doing this. He suffered hardship—a shipwreck, was beaten, imprisoned, and even died for his faith in Jesus. Before he died, he wrote many books of the New Testament. Can anyone name one of the books he wrote? Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
Saul did some terrible things before he was saved, but God still desired to change him and use him to spread the Gospel! Our SuperTruth says, “No matter what I’ve done, God can save me.”
Encourage the children to take the pennies home as a reminder that God can change anyone and make them new!