O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Matthew 12:34-35 (KJV)
Use a LARGE glass, and two cereals that have no sugar (i.e., Cheerios and Wheat Chex).
You can get kids to help you pour the cereal into the glass when it is time.
Ask the children if they have ever spilt anything. Let them know that you have too. Ask what the mom and dad’s reaction was. Were they happy or mad? Probably mad. Why? Because something spilt out that shouldn’t have, and it needs to be cleaned up.
What if you spill over a glass and a $100.00 bill came out?!?!? Would your parents be mad?? Mine wouldn’t!!
After gaining their attention in this way, read the verse and pray for God’s help in the message.
With this line of questioning – and other questions of your own added – you can make the children realize that at some point in time they are going to have a “spill” and that what spills depends on what is put in the container (the glass andor their minds). Have a child pour a cereal into the glass. If they spill it – all the better! If they are extra cautious, ask if you can help them and pour out some yourself. Be sure to over flow the glass spilling plenty on the table.
Then, I take the glass and carry it while I continue to illustrate the point. Pretend to stumble and throw (“spill”) the cereal all over the crowd of kids!! This really gets their attention.
Now you can talk about what fills their mind as the other cereal is poured into the glass. Point out the you can’t spill what is not in the glass. You can’t spill Cheerios if the glass is full of Wheat Chex! If they fill their minds with the things of God, the things of the world won’t be there to spill.
You can transition this by asking how they begin to get the things of God in their minds. Then go into the plan of salvation in a way that you think they’ll understand.
[Close in prayer.]