My husband has discovered a book (he won't tell me the title yet) that our pastor referred to him, and in the book are lots of practical object lessons. He has committed to teaching his family a new object lesson each week. I wanted to share the first one with you.
Object lesson #1 starts off with a table covered in newspaper. Then you have the kids sit down and they are each given a brand new tube of toothpaste (from the dollar tree, of course). My husband pulled out a $100 bill and said, "the first person to complete this task can have this $100 bill". This motivates the kids to listen and get ready to win!
The first step is to ask the kids to see who can be the first one to squeeze all of the toothpaste out of the toothpaste tubes. They start screaming and squeezing and laughing! It doesn't take long at all before they have all completed the first task.
The second, and final task, is to see who can be the first one to put all of the toothpaste back into the tubes!!! They really started squeeling and laughing and trying EVERYTHING they could to get that toothpaste back into the tubes. After 20 minutes or so, my husband calls time and no one has succeeded. Then comes the moral, just like the toothpaste, hurtful words seem to flow freely out of our mouths. Just like the toothpaste, once they come out, you cannot take them back.
Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Posts
11 comments:
The Youth pastor's wife must have this book! We did this one at MOPS. A great lesson! Please share more as you get them. And of course the title of the book once you get it!
That's wonderful that your husband has committed to do this with your kids. They have fun, learn a valuable lesson, and create lasting memories with their dad all at once. Sounds like a winner!
LOVED hearing the task...and how your children responded POSITIVE in trying to think of a way...& working to put it back in!
Toothpaste has been in our sermons before..."when the squeeze is on, and we're stressed, tired, pushed...what comes out?" etc. etc.
ABSOLUTELY...The key to peace, happiness, joy...etc. is Jesus! Thank you for your note~
What a special life-key that is~
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Michelle
This is Show and Tell at its finest. Your husband must share the title. There are ways you can get him to spill the beans Sonya. Come on girl....make him talk. :)
This is a GREAT object lesson. I look forward to learning more of them. What a FUN family you have! Oh and yummy and fresh smelling the house must have smelled too.
Sonya, I think I know the title because we have the book....but I'm not going to spoil your husband's surprise! Don't you just love seeing your husband teaching the kids? I love hearing my husband preach God's word, but I especially love the tender side I see when he speaks directly to the children. BTW, about the "ME" filter: Yeah, I'm still struggling sometimes. But I am also seeing God's grace in my life as He puts his hand over my mouth!
I've heard of doing this and I've talked with my kids about this using the toothpaste idea. It's true and a powerful visual aid.
I just dealt with my teenage son about this with texting. He wrote something as a joke and it made a friend cry.
Words matter.
Thanks for sharing.
Oh I have read about this but never have actually participated in the exercise! What a wonderful way for children (and adults) to learn such an important lesson! I am looking forward to reading about Object #2!
I like your new picture!
I hope you are doing well!
I LOVE object lessons - and that was a great one!
You'll have to let us know what the book is as soon as you find out!
I've heard of this too but can't remember the book. This was a great lesson. Looking forward to learning the next one. :)
What a wonderful story!! And I love all the kids really tried hard to get that toothpaste back in!!
And what a lesson--we can't take back the angry or ugly words once they are spoken.
Stop by my Power of Your Love post and read my latest Love Dare, if you get a chance. Part of it addresses this very issue--15 some years after the fact.
http://wwwthepowerofyoulove.blogspot.com
Beth
Post a Comment