Inside Needs To Match The Outside
Posted by: Buffalo Dream Center
Topic: Bible Verses
Verse: Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
Props:
-7up or Sprite soda can filled with Coke
-“Sack lunch” (Because you didn’t get the chance to eat before your meeting. Your lunch/dinner includes your pre-prepared can of soda pop.)
-One clear cup or glass
-A small table in stage area on which you place your sack lunch and soda as you welcome students
Instructions:
How To:
The key to this opener is to surprise your audience with dark colored soda coming from a Sprite can.
Prepare and practice this at least once before your meeting.
1. Turn a can of SPRITE upside down and take a Bic Pen (those are my
favorite) and poke a hole in the bottom of the can.
2.Pour out the contents of the Sprite-- completely.
3. SLOWLY, pour in the contents of a can of Coke or Pepsi.
4. Dry the surface of the bottom of the can completely. Cut a small square of sticky DUCT tape (usually one inch by one inch) and cover the hole.
5. IMPORTANT: Personally, I suggest doing two cans and testing one before hand. Never present your "dry run" in front of an audience
Discussion:
Introduction:
Welcome everyone to church. Talk about how crazy your morning was, so before you get started with the lesson you just want to have a little snack. Open your dinner bag and put food and soda on table.
Take a few bites of your sandwich. Ask everyone what their favorite kind of sandwich is.
When you reach for your Sprite you want all eyes on you. You’re thirsty; you’re excited about teaching the lesson but you just need a drink so you can get on with the program.
Have someone get a clear cup for you from the Kidz Club cup
“I love Sprite but I prefer it from a glass.”
Pop the can open and pour the contents into your clear glass.
“Hey! What’s the deal? That’s not Sprite. How weird. There’s Coke in my Sprite. Have you ever had that happen to you?” (Don’t wait for response.) “I hate it when things aren’t what they seem to be.”
Ask A Few:
1. Tell me about a time when something wasn’t was it appeared to be for you.
2. Without telling me your answer, think about this question: Have you ever heard someone talk about being a Christian but then, when you watch their actions you wonder if maybe you misheard him?
3. Or think about this: Have you ever seen people act one way at church or Youth Group and then act totally differently when they are with their peers?
“When I buy a can of Sprite I expect what the label says: Sprite. And when people claim that they follow Jesus I expect to see a life that shows God at work. But the truth is, sometimes we all struggle with being an authentic Christian. We want my actions to match what we believe in our head and heart, but sometimes we fail.”
Sometimes we get angry when we shouldn’t
Sometimes we laugh at someone and we know we shouldn’t
Conclusion:
We need to make sure that what is on the inside of us matches our outward appearance.
It is easy for us to look good on the outside.
It is easy for us to go to church and say we are a Christian
But on the inside – Do we look good to Jesus?
-Are we really choosing to live for Jesus everyday?
Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve. . . But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
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