James 2:10 Jenga Lesson
Looking for a creative lesson to teach your Awana Spark's on K is for Keep from James 2:10? James 2:10 (NIV) says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." Inviting a team leader to come to the front and build a tower using toy blocks or a giant Jenga set is a great way to illustrate this verse and keep the kids engaged.
Go through their three Sparks booklets (HangGlider, WingRunner, SkyStormer) and find all the verses that tell you to "do something," or have a rule, finding examples of actual and implied laws (see below for my list). Read each verse and ask the kids what the "obedience block" is. For example, Psalm 118:1 (NIV) says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." The "obedience block" is that we are supposed to thank God. You could also use this as an opportunity to review any house rules and count those as obedience blocks too.
Continue to read through their Sparky verses finding additional rules (aka. obedience blocks). As the tower grows, ask the kids if they can keep all these rules. Once it's reached a fund height, and when they admit they can never obey perfectly, knock one of the base blocks from underneath the Jenga tower and the whole thing will come crashing down. This points back to James 2:10 (NIV), "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it."
Additionally, Romans 3:23 (NIV) says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We've all sinned. We've all missed the mark of God's holiness. We've all fallen short. This is why we need Jesus who builds a perfect tower of obedience. His obedience never wavers, never falls, never crumbles. If there's a solid surface somewhere, reach over and knock on the wall or a pillar or your stage set and tell the kids this is how solid Jesus' obedience is (not like a Jenga tower).
The good news (gospel) is that if we trust in Jesus, we get the solid tower of Christ's obedience blocks, and don't have to rely on our own obedience blocks that can fall at any moment. Remind your Sparks of John 3:16 (NIV), "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." If you believe in Jesus, you get his obedience as your own. We still try to obey, but not because we have to but because Jesus already obeyed on our behalf.
Obedience Block Verses
Psalm 118:1 (NIV) Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever
Colossians 1:3 (NIV) We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous... For the Lord your God will be with you...
Joshua 24:24 (NIV) And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey Him."
Ephesians 6:1 (NIV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength
Psalm 96:2 (NIV) Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day
Leviticus 19:2 (NIV) Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
Mark 16:15 (NIV) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV) pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Philippians 2:14 (NIV) Do everything without grumbling or arguing
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Psalm 100:4 (NIV) Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
Matthew 19:14 (NIV) Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
1 John 3:17-18 (NIV) If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Colossians 4:2 (NIV) Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Philippians 4:4 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
John 14:1-2 (NIV) Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
Romans 12:9-10 (NIV) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:11 (NIV) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:13 (NIV) Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:14-15 (NIV) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Luke 11:28 (NIV) He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
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