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Leader Guide

Object Lesson

  • Three small bouncy balls
  • Sheet of paper
  • Marker
  • Two volunteer readers, such as fifth or sixth graders
  • Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
  • Bible or the Superbook Bible App

Write in large letters on the sheet of paper: I AM A CHRISTIAN.  

Assign the volunteer readers two verses each from James 1:14–17. Have them look up and be prepared to read the verses aloud at the proper time.

We are learning about faith. The Bible tells us that there is a certain kind of faith that is pleasing to God. Have the volunteers read James 2:14–17:


14What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.


Faith is more than just believing that God exists. Faith is more than just saying you are a Christian. 

Hold up the paper so the children can see the writing. Make the paper into a ball. Hold the paper ball high in the air. 

Let’s say that this paper ball represents the first type of faith we just read about. This type of faith says, “I believe God is real” but doesn’t do anything to demonstrate that faith. 

Drop paper ball to ground. Sarcastically act excited. 

Whoohoo! Now, that was worth watching, wasn’t it? I couldn’t take my eyes off it.  


Choose two more children, younger and older, to try it. 

I wish we had time for all of you to try it! Smile. 

Would you say that this kind of faith will attract people to God; did it cause you to take notice and make you want to experience it yourself? Children respond.  


Is this faith alive and active? Children respond.   


Hold up a bouncy ball in the air, drop it, and let it bounce as you speak. 

This ball represents the kind of faith that pleases God. This faith is in motion; it is alive and says that God is real. Now, this faith got your attention, right? You wanted to see what it would do next—it was exciting!  


Have a child retrieve the ball and then give another ball each to an older child and a younger child. 

Instruct the children to drop their balls at the count of three. Let the balls bounce around the room.  


Wow, now that is more like it! Imagine if we as a group went out into the world and lived our lives at school, at home, and in our neighborhoods with this kind of active faith? People will take notice and ask what is going on; why are these children so active and full of joy as they choose to serve others?   


Active faith is honoring God not just with words; but with actions showing He is the Lord of our lives. Believers who demonstrate active faith show that God is real by the way they live. Can you see why that type of faith is pleasing to God? Faith that is alive overflows from the heart, glorifies God, and shows His love to others. It shows that God is real and active in the world!


Active faith moves and flows with the leading of God’s Holy Spirit and looks different in different situations. Can you think of some ways we can show our faith? Children respond. 


Active faith can be shown by things like giving, helping, obeying, listening, and sharing. Another powerful way to show active faith in God is by praying for others. How do you think praying shows your faith? Children respond. 


Praying for someone shows that we trust God is alive, He hears us, and He will answer our prayers.  

Now, here is one very important thing to understand about works and doing good deeds to show our faith. No amount of good deeds or actions can earn eternal life for us. The Bible is clear that eternal life is a free gift—given to us by Jesus—not something we can ever earn! (See Ephesians 2:8–9.)   

Active faith is a response and a thank You to God for His free gift. 

Read Ephesians 2:10:


For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.


Hold up a bouncy ball and the paper ball, one in each hand, then drop the balls at the same time. Now, which faith do you want to have?