Tag Archives: desires of your heart

Description

This object lesson teaches about the importance of living for eternity rather than just for today.

Materials

None

Preparation

Practice the script.

Procedure

Use the following script and instructions (or modify to suit your needs):

• “We’re going to do an activity to show the difference between our life on earth and our life in heaven.” (Have kids line up, single-file in a spiral. Put the last kid at door to the room. The kid in the center (beginning of the line) is “The Dot,” and the rest of the kids are “The Line.”)
• “This person is the ‘The Dot.’ S/He represents our lifetime here on earth.”
• “Everyone else is ‘The Line.’ You represent our life in heaven, in etermity.”
• “Most of us think life on earth is more like The Line, but God says it isn’t.”
• “Life on earth is short – maybe 80-90 years – maybe less.”
• “Then it ends, and The Dot is over, and The Line starts.”
• “The Line goes and goes and goes.”
• “You see (child’s name) is at the door – that’s to show that the line never stops.”
• “Imagine a line of kids out that door that goes on forever! That’s eternity!”
• “Now, this doesn’t mean that The Dot isn’t important – it’s hugely important!”
• “The Dot is a test and a tool.”
• “Say it with me, ‘a test and a tool.’”
• “What do I mean by that?”
• “It’s a test, because your life will be full of tests, and these tests reveal the quality of your heart. Will you cheat on the test like your friend? Will you tell untrue stories about other kids? Will you lie to your mom and dad about where your friends are going? Will you take more than your fair share?”
• “Test, test, test, test, test”
• “Each time, your decision reveals the quality of your heart.”
• “If you fail a test, God will give it to you again.”
• “If you continue to fail it, God will let you follow the evil desires of your heart.”
• “And trust me, that leads nowhere good.”
• “If you follow the evil desires of your heart for too long, all you get is unhappiness and pain.”
• “But if you pass the test, God will be pleased. He will keep testing you, but it might be in other areas for a while.”
• “So, that’s why The Dot is a test. Why is The Dot a tool?”
• “Because God uses our lives on earth to shape us to be more like him. He cuts away the bad stuff until we look more like him.”
• “How silly would it be for us to focus all our attention on The Dot?”
• “Compared to The Line, it’s nothing right?”
• “So anything we do in The Dot should be focused on improving The Line.”
• “You could have a really fancy Dot (dress up the kid who is “The Dot” with some fake jewelry or clothes) with lots of riches and fame and toys, but if the way you got those things was through dishonesty or greed or jealousy, you’re going to have a really crummy Line.” (Have kids in The Line fall to floor in domino pattern).
• “But if you use your Dot to honor God (give child salt and light or a cross or picture of Jesus), your Line will ROCK!” (Have kids in The Line jump up!)
• “So, do you want to live for The Dot (have kids in The Line crumple) or for The Line?” (Have kids in The Line jump up!)
• “Me, too!”