Lesson One: Object Lesson

Object lessons are a great way to begin any lesson; they help to drill the overall point home quickly and concisely, and bring all the following activities together under one message. I've had some children mention an object lesson they remember that I did years ago! Think of an object lesson as a sermon for kids - a powerful, visual message that is delivered in only 5 to 10 minutes.

Lesson 1: Seeking
We will only find real “treasure” when we search for it with all our heart. (The Merchant)
Matthew 13:44-46

Opening Object lesson:
“Treasure Stones” -- Ultimate book of kid concoctions, p. 78.

What you will need:
1 cup flour
1 cup used coffee grinds
½ cup salt
¼ cup sand
up to ¾ cup water
"Treasures," such as quarters, dimes, and nickels

1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. Slowly add water and knead until the mixture is the consistency of bread dough.
3. Break off a piece of dough and roll it into a ball the desired size.
4. Make a hole in the center of the ball big enough to hide treasures in.
5. Fill the hole with treasures and seal with some extra dough.
6. Let your treasure stone air dry for 2-3 days or until hard, or bake in the oven on a cookie sheet at 150 degrees for 15-20 minutes. (I found that baking in the oven was a better idea. The coins inside do tend to tarnish the longer they sit in the mixture.)

Set a small treasure box, secretly filled with dirt, next to a plain stone (with a treasure hidden inside). Choose a child to pick which one they would like to have (emphasizing that they can't keep the treasure box, only what's inside of it) . If the child chooses the treasure box, have him open it; then say, “Well, you get a box of dirt!” Choose a different child to break open the stone and let the child keep the treasure inside.
If the first child chooses the stone, try to encourage them to pick the box instead. If they insist on the stone, allow them to break the stone to find the treasure inside. Then commend them for not picking the obvious choice.
Say: We often look for “treasures” of happiness or success in "obvious" places, only to discover that there is no real treasure in those things after all. Real joy comes from seeking after God, and sometimes we miss that simple truth because we are looking in the wrong places.