Time
10-15 minutes
Audience
Children, Teens, Adults
Description
This object lesson teaches about how God brings good things out of bad and uses the metaphor of turning lemons into lemonade.
Scriptures
- Romans 8:28
Materials
- Lemons – enough for everyone to have a wedge after you cut them up and 5 or 6 for you to juice at the front of the room
- Lemonade – enough for everyone to have some (I recommend Capri Sun Lemonade pouches for the ease of preparation, distribution and clean-up.)
- Knife (to cut the lemons)
- Juicer (manual or electric)
- Bowl or Ziplock bag to hold the lemon wedges
- Cup or bowl to catch the juice
- Sugar (1 cup should be enough for the amount of lemonade you are making)
- Water (approximately 2 quarts)
- Pitcher (one)
- Spoon (for stirring the lemonade)
- Table to work on
Preparation
- Slice lemons into wedges.
- Set up all your materials on a table at the front.
- Enlist a few helpers to help you pass out lemons and lemonade at different times during the lesson.
- Practice the script.
Procedure
Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):
- “How many of you have tasted a lemon before?” (As you talk, juice five or six lemons into your cup or bowl, and have someone pass around the lemon wedges to everyone in the audience.)
- “Why don’t we all take a taste of the lemons you’ve been given.” (Demonstrate what you want them to do, and observe them tasting their lemons. Comment on the sour faces.)
- “They are pretty sour, aren’t they?” (Continue juicing your lemons as you talk.)
- “They make you think twice before taking a second bite, I bet.”
- “You know, sometimes life is pretty sour. I bet this is not the first time you made that face.”
- “The truth is, bad things sometimes happen to good people.”
- “Sometimes it’s not your fault.”
- “You may not have done anything to deserve it, but you are suffering anyway.”
- “Maybe a bully picks on you or your brother takes your stuff or your sister tells a lie about you…”
- “Those could be pretty sour experiences, and they might make you want to make the same face you made a minute ago.”
- “But you know what? When life gives you lemons, God makes lemonade!”
- “Yep, He uses the bad stuff that happens to us to make us better. He doesn’t always take the bad stuff away. Often, He sweetens it.” (Pour the juice, water and some of your sugar into the pitcher and stir.)
- “One day, the same bully who picked on you may become your friend.”
- “Your brother took your old stuff, but you got something better.”
- “Your sister told a lie about you, but she apologized later.”
- “God takes lemons and makes lemonade.” (Taste, make sour face, add more sugar and stir.)
- “It may take some time for God to sweeten up your lemon juice, but I promise He will if you will trust him with your lemons.” (Taste and smile.)
- “Ahhh! That’s good stuff! How’s your lemonade?” (Show mock surprise when they protest that they only have lemons.)
- “What? All you’ve got are sour lemons?”
- “Let’s ask God to make those lemons into some lemonade.” (Signal some helpers to get ready to pass out lemonade as you pray.)
- (PRAY) “Lord, all of these kids have gotten some lousy lemons in their lives. Will you please take those sour lemons and turn them into sweet lemonade for each person in this room? We thank you for your faithful hand in our lives, and we give you every lemon that’s ever happened to us. We love you, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.” (Signal your helpers to pass out the lemonade.)
- “Now, let’s have some lemonade to celebrate what God’s going to do with our lemons one day.” (The Rhyme Time below can be used to reinforce the message of the lesson. You can also have a volunteer read Romans 8:28 to show how God promises to make all things work for the good of those who love Him.)
Rhyme Time
If we trust Him and obey, God makes bad things go OUR way!
Teach Them 