Teaching

Place the two containers of water on top of a towel on the table. Place a few drops of dish soap in one container and mix it with a spoon to create suds. Place the cleaners (laundry detergent, etc.) on the table and cover with a towel.  Take the two cups out of their plastic bags and place them on the table.  Inspect the cup that is dirty on the inside to be sure that the outside surface is still clean. Put a paper towel or dish cloth over each cup so children can’t see inside.

What is sin? Missing the mark, doing what we want to do instead of what God wants us to do; disobeying God’s Word.

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “Jesus cleanses us from all sin.”

Not some sin, not most sin—ALL sin. God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for every single sin that everyone has ever committed.  

Uncover the different cleaners. Adjust the presentation for the cleaners you selected. Use caution as you present. Keep all products closed and don’t allow children to handle them. 

Hold up the laundry detergent so children can read the label. What is this cleaner used for? Washing dirty clothes, cleaning laundry.

Right; this product is made to clean clothes. Would you use this to wash your hair? No!

Correct; it was not made for that!

Hold up the contact lens or eyeglass cleaner. What is this product used to clean? Contacts or eyeglasses.

Would you use it to wash the car or clean the carpet? No!

It was not made to clean those other things—only cleaning contacts or eyeglasses.

Uncover and hold up the cup that is dirty on the outside. Would you choose this cup to drink from? No.

Why not? It’s dirty.

Uncover and hold up the cup that is dirty on the inside only. It is important to hold the cup so children cannot see the inside until the proper time to reveal it.

Now, is this cup better? Yes.

Why?It is clean.

It looks clean, doesn’t it!

Cover the cup again and place it back on the table.

In the Bible, there was a group of religious leaders called Pharisees who thought they could please God with their own good works. They didn’t think they needed to be forgiven for any sins. They pretended that they were perfect. But Jesus called them hypocrites! Have you heard that word before? 

Hypocrites act one way to make people believe something, but they really live in a different way. For example, I would be a hypocrite if I told everyone that I never ate any candy, but I ate a whole bag of candy when no one was looking! I would be faking and lying. That’s called hypocrisy.

Let’s read what Jesus told those Pharisees about being truly clean in Matthew 23:25–26: 

²⁵ “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! ²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.”

Those are some strong words! Jesus said that those people appeared clean on the outside, yet on the inside they were filthy and full of all kinds of sins. We may fool some people sometimes, but we can never fool God!

Hold the second cup lower and tilt it so the inside can be seen. Is this cup really clean? No!

It appeared clean when you couldn’t see inside. God sees what we can’t see; He looks inside at our hearts. Everyone has sinned—even people who appear clean on the outside.

Optional: Romans 3:10 says:

As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one.”

And that’s why we all need a Savior! Let’s say our SuperTruth: “Jesus cleanses us from all sin!”

Place both cups in the container with the soapy water and wash them with the dish cloth. Rinse them in the other container, wipe them dry, then hold them up.

When Jesus died on the cross, He shed His precious blood to wash our hearts clean. He wants us to be honest about our failings instead of being hypocrites, proudly pretending that we’re perfect. When we humbly confess our sins to Him, He immediately forgives us and makes us clean. As we follow Jesus, people will see a change in our lives over time. That is what Jesus was saying to the Pharisees—clean the inside and the outside will be clean, too.

Optional: When Peter told Cornelius about Jesus, he said in Acts 10:43:   

“He is the One all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application 

Give an Ambassador for Christ Certificate and a pencil to any children who missed Lesson 1.   

What is our Discipleship Challenge? Being ambassadors for Christ.

An ambassador is a person who represents a nation or a kingdom to other people. We are Christ’s ambassadors who represent the interests and values of God’s Kingdom to the world! How does it make you feel to know God has entrusted you with the important task of representing Him to everyone around you? It is an important responsibility because so many people need to hear about Jesus.

Our first challenge was to read and discuss 1 Thessalonians 2:4 with our families, then to think about how we represent Christ to the world. Did any of you have an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone since the last time we met? Children answer.

The next challenge on our certificates is to read and discuss Colossians 3:17 with your family. We represent Christ in more ways than simply sharing the Gospel. Our actions speak louder than words! We want people to see that we are loving and truthful—not like hypocrites who say one thing and then do something different. Keep that in mind in the days ahead, and look for ways to represent Christ with your words and your actions. You will have a chance to share your thoughts and experiences next time.

Optional: read Colossians 3:17:

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Optional: commission any new children as ambassadors, as in Lesson 1, and have them write their names on the certificates.