Humpty Dumpty Broken Pieces
Confession of Sin, Restoration of Life
Props: Egg, bowl, sheet of paper, clear tape. (Make sure to read the review at the
end to expand the lesson.)
(Say:) "Can you finish this nursery rhyme? 'Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great
fall . . .' (Allow time for the kids to complete the rhyme.) Yes! 'All the kings horses and all the kings men, couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together
again!'"
(Crack the egg into the bowl.)
(Say:) "Look at this egg, just like the Humpty rhyme goes, it would be impossible for us to put this egg back together. Kids, there are times in all of our lives
when we might feel like everything is broken. Maybe you had a fight with a friend, or your parents fight with one another, or you're not doing well in school, or someone you love has died. When these situations happen, you may feel like no one is able to make things right or put things back together; you might feel broken.
As you all grow older, there will be times in your lives when you might be tempted to stray from God and do sinful things that you shouldn't
do—things that could harm your body, mind, and spirit.
(Tear the sheet of paper into 4 large pieces.)
(Say:) "Afterwards, you might also feel like all the kings horses and all the kings men, couldn't fix you. But you know what? The Bible has some really great news, it says, 'A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise' (Psalm 51:17). This means
that God will not turn you away when you ask for forgiveness. He can mend a broken heart and life."
(As you say the following Bible verse, tape the paper pieces back together.)
"The Bible says, 'God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we've done wrong'" 1 John 1:9
(GWT).
(Say:) "See this paper now? All the pieces have been put back together, but we can still see the
"scars."
This reminds us that even though God promises to forgive us when we admit that we have done
wrong, our sins have consequences that
can leave lasting scars. But wouldn't it be wonderful not to stray from God in the first place?
When we faithfully follow Jesus when we're young and into adulthood, then our
lives won't be broken and torn apart by willful disobedience. That isn't to say that we won't have difficult times. We live on a sinful planet and life can be hard.
Even so, God has promised to never leave us alone. He will walk with us and guide us, because he loves us."
Let's pray. "Dear Jesus, Help us to follow you and never stray from you. Thank you that you promise to forgive us when we ask for forgiveness. Thank you for mending broken hearts and lives. Amen."
Copyright 2001 Sarah Keith
* REVIEW: This devotion was a hit with the adults and kids at the Lord's
Locker. One thing I added, before tearing the paper, I asked people to
name situations they experienced that
"cracked" their life shell or "scrambled" their
emotions so that it seemed they could not be put back together again. I then
wrote their answers on the paper, and then tore it into four pieces. I had several children in the group. As I read the
Scripture and explained it, I asked the oldest of the kids to tape the paper back together.
I also spoke about the different ways those experiences hurt us.
After the paper was taped together I made the final analogy about the scars being
visible, yet useful as God works in our lives. I added Romans 8:28,
to point out that GOD uses our scars to remind us of our healing and can
actually use those experiences to help others.
I mentioned the addiction program that The Lord's Locker hosts on Friday
nights. I have never had an addiction to alcohol. I don't have the visible scars from a drug addicted life. But working in the program, I see that those seeking help do not want to hear what I would have to
say; they want to talk and listen to Dave, our program director, who God healed
after being an alcoholic for 33 years! Dave's scars are visible, but his words are GOLD. Our students listen to him, because of the wisdom he gained
becoming an over-comer.
~ Sent in by Emmalea Butler
If you like this message, then you'll love It's In The
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