Activity Bible Time Influence Others Drawing/Dramatization Experience

Part 4: Be Holy -- God's Secret Weapon For Us!

Because GOD IS HOLY (Perfect and Clean), He is able to make my dirty heart clean. I want Him to help me keep it that way!

Read or quote the memory verse.

Tommy and the Skunk

Tommy was very young when he moved from the big city to the country where his grandpa lived. He had such fun playing in the barn, fishing in the pond, and exploring the woods beside the pasture. Tommy saw all kinds of animals on his adventures in the woods. One day, however, he met an animal he will never forget. The creature wasn't very tall, but the sight of its black fur and the white stripe from the tip of its nose to the tip of its bushy tail made most people turn and run! Have you guessed what it was? A skunk!!

Tommy didn't know about skunks. All he saw was a cute animal that looked like a potential pet. He walked slowly toward the skunk, and suddenly, you guessed it, Tommy got sprayed! That little skunk sent its fowl smelling spray shooting right in Tommy's direction, making a direct hit. Tommy's eyes began to water and the smell almost made him sick. He ran away from the skunk as fast as he his legs would carry him but he could not run away from the smell.

He smelled so badly that his mother wouldn't let him set foot in the farmhouse. They found a big old washtub in the barn, and Tommy's mom helped him wash the smell off with tomato juice and water. His mom took his clothes and threw them on the burn pile behind the barn.

It took several baths and lots of tomato juice, soap, and water before Tommy felt clean again and the smell was finally gone.

Tommy's mom said he had never looked and smelled so clean! Tommy decided that skunks are cool to look at from a distance, but they are definitely not pet material!!

What would have happened if, after he was all clean, Tommy had pulled his clothes off the burn pile and put them back on? (He would have been smelly again!)

Tommy was clean, but his clothes weren't. He would still smell like a skunk because his clothes smelled like a skunk.

Can you imagine doing such a thing?

After we accept Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, we are washed clean once and for all. When we sin, it's like putting on old, smelly clothes. God wants us to put on clean, pure clothes every day.

Yesterday, we talked about what to do when we blow it and sin. Today we're going to talk about saying "no" to sin before we do it. This can be hard...especially if a brother or sister is involved! However, we're going to discover the secret weapon God gives to help us put on "Clean Clothes" every day and make choices that keep our relationship with Him strong.

The first thing you need to know is that Jesus promised us help.

Read Acts 1:8.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere -- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.Discover God Bible, (NLT).

Where does the power to make good choices come from? (God's secret weapon is the Holy Spirit.)

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to make good choices and be a light for Jesus wherever we go. (see the 4Keys 4Kids booklet).

If you ask Him, the Holy Spirit will give you the power to throw away the "old clothes" and put fresh "clean" clothes on every day.

What do you think God would consider "clean clothes"? (Being kind to your sister/brother, being a friend to someone at school that no one likes . . .)

Listen to what Jesus says are the two most important things for us to do in order to live a holy life:

Read Matthew 22:37-40.

Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."Discover God Bible, (NLT).

What does Jesus say is the most important commandment? (Love God.)

How are we supposed to love God? (With all our heart, soul, and mind.) If we truly love God, we will not want to put on the dirty, smelly sin clothes.

What is the second most important commandment? (Love your neighbor.)

Why do you think Jesus said this is the second most important commandment? (The best way we can show our love for God is to love others. When we love others, they can experience God's love through us.)

We're going to close by reading Ephesians 5:2.

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Discover God Bible, (NLT).


Why does it matter?

God did not tell us to live clean lives and then abandon us to failure. He's right with us, ready to help. If you focus your heart, soul, and mind on loving God and loving others as yourself, there won't be much room for sin. The clothes you put on will be clean and pure, and you will be a bright light to everyone you meet!


Talk with God and Stay Connected
to the Vine!

Ask God to help you leave your dirty sin clothes on the "burn pile" and put on clean clothes that help you love Him and others.

"ABIDE" for God is Holy
Memory Verse Table Talk
AActivity … Family Fun Activities!
BBible Times … Exploring God's Word together
IInfluencing Others … how can you make a difference?
DDrawing/Drama … exploring your creative side!
EExperience … finding the teachable moments
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