Bible object lessons offer a simple tool to help us relate God's Word to our everyday surroundings. We can think of them as short, simple parables. They provide excellent Bible lessons for all ages - kids, teens, & adults.
Jesus used parables at all times of the day and in a variety of circumstances and locations. His teaching was ongoing. Let's be like Him as we share God's truth with those around us!
If you're in a hurry though, try using our quick Object Lesson Index.
Everywhere we turn, God has a lesson for us - whether it's from a butterfly in nature, a cell phone in our hand, or even a piece of silver. They can help us understand difficult concepts such as the Trinity.
A toolbox can be used to show how God uses a variety of unique people and gifts to build His Church and do His work alongside Him - "God's Toolbox."
I've even used my digital camera and a mirror to share a children's object talk teaching on our being created in the image of God.
Many Christian object talks take very little preparation; try these easy Bible object lessons that teach about prayer, relationships, and our worth in God's eyes.
Other object lessons for children use objects such as M&Ms, sponges, ping pong balls, and more!
A chocolate cake can also teach a wonderful Bible object lesson on the truth of Romans 8:28. Yum!!! Or another "cooking" Bible object lesson uses a recipe to teach that we can know what we believe to be true because "the proof is in the pudding!"
Brownies sound yummy until you find out cat food was mixed into the batter, but it makes a memorable Bible lesson on sin and how even just a little can make life yucky!
Use a sponge to teach how to respond when the "squeeze" is on...a lesson on dealing with tough times.
Simple objects such as an apple or water both can help children better (although not completely) understand the concept of the Trinity.
Hunting and fishing are topics that can teach children about Satan's schemes and the dangers of temptation.
Most of our kids play or at least watch different types of sports. What every time they went to football practice or saw a football game come on TV, it reminded them of how they can put on the armor of God?!
A variety of sports equipment can be used to demonstrate how you need the right equipment to play a certain sport correctly. You can't hit a basketball with a golf club and expect to win a game of golf! Use this to teach how Solomon tried a lot of wrong things to find purpose in life or how we each need to use the spiritual gifts and talents God has given us in the places of service He wants us to be.
Every season of the year brings new objects such as a pumpkin,
football uniform, Christmas ornaments, snowflakes, or even a
Valentine's Day Tootsie pop for new opportunities to teach
seasonal Christian object lessons!
Amazing math problems can be used to teach on
God's amazing love
or how our God is a
God of order!
To teach a Bible lesson on sin, use a misspelled word, chalkboard, and an eraser. This one is a lot of fun with kids!
You've probably seen the Sharpie permanent marker commercial that says to "Write Out Loud"; use the same idea to challenge students to "Live Out Loud" for Jesus by following Paul's example of Galatians 2:20!
The pencil story shares how important forgiveness and having Jesus on the "inside" is what really matters and makes us each uniquely useful in the hand of God!
Also try these fun science experiment object lessons from the "Mad Scientist" @ MadAboutJesus.net! Lessons include how dangerous even one sin can be, little people can do BIG things with God's help, and the importance of faith and believing God's Word. They are continuing to add new ones too!
Sometimes you may need Bible object lessons for specific age groups - children including
as well as
There are other times you may just need a short children's devotion to be used during children's church or for a
Using simple objects as visuals will make these times even more memorable and effective.
You can also use popular children's books for unique and creative Christian book talks.
Still others have learned to use Gospel Illusions to present visual illustrations for Biblical truths. Don't let the word "magic" scare you; these are only illusions used to capture students' attention and help them remember the truth of God's Word. There is no "magic" involved.
When we owned and operated our Christian bookstores, we were able to become familiar with many of the top Christian publishers.
Group Publishing is one of the top publishers in creative teaching materials for children, youth and adults. A preview of one of their youth Christian object lesson books is available online with eleven great object talks that are free for your use. They are copyrighted though; so please don't reproduce them. You may, however, want to purchase the book from them. It contains a total of 50 innovative and interactive Bible lessons for youth (or really any age).
Faith Metaphors: 50 Interactive Object Lessons for Youth Ministry
preview offers the following Bible lessons: Binoculars/Failure, Jump rope/Faith, Rubber ball/Family, Sidewalk chalk/Feelings, Cell phone/Following God, Canned goods/Forgiveness, Clothespins/Friendship, Super glue/God's love, Popcorn/God's power, Cookie cutters/God's will, & Tin foil/Holiness.
In Deuteronomy 4:6-9, God says:
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." (NIV)
Simple everyday objects can be used to teach amazing Bible study lessons. Use a Swiss army knife to teach the importance of every believer in the Church. A balloon can help illustrate the story of the rich young ruler in Luke 12, or a broken pen & clock can be used to teach how God can turn failure into success! Simple but memorable Christian lessons to teach powerful Bible truths that will have lasting and practical effects.
Christian object lessons are meant to be tools to assist you in sharing God's Word in everyday life. It will be like putting feet to your Bible Study!
A few more great Bible lessons from object talks...
If you still need more ideas, Christianbook.com offers several great Bible object lesson books.
Object Talks from Sports Kids Love
By Verna Kokmeyer / Standard Publishing
Kids love sports, and can easily draw metaphors from certain rules or even athletes. This book builds upon such familiarity, providing biblically sound object lessons taught from sports. Each lesson begins with a piece of sports equipment that most kids will recognize, and builds on a Scripture-based theme to lead kids to deeper spiritual application. In addition, each lesson also provides a send-home project suggestion. Ideal for bible school classes, mid-week programs and children's worship services. 48 pages, ages 6-12.
Science & the Bible: 30 Scientific Demonstrations Illustrating Scriptural Truths
By Donald DeYoung / Baker
Use everyday household objects to illustrate natural laws, teach biblical principles, and affirm God as the Creator of all things! Perfect for homeschool lessons, sermon illustrations, or family devotions, each of these 30 simple object lessons features a hands-on science experiment with a straightforward explanation and a related Scripture verse (NIV). For students of all ages.
Edible Object Talks That Teach About Jesus
By Susan Lingo / Standard Publishing
Perfect for Sunday School, VBS, children's church, or anytime you want to offer your kids a change of taste! Edible Object Talks that Teach about Jesus is a delicious collection of 25 life-changing messages that are as attention-grabbing and Bible-based as they are fun to make and eat. These are solid Bible messages with clever concoctions kids whip up then can eat. From Banana Splits to crunchy treats, kids will learn life-changing Bible truths and how to apply them in their lives today. Children Ages 6-12.
You can search for more Bible Object Lessons here:
Scriptures unless otherwise indicated are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright C 1973,1978,1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishers.