Key Verse

Matthew 7:13-14

Additional Verses

Proverbs 16:25; John 14:6; John 10:9

Materials Needed

• a rope or beam
• cutout of Jesus
• several items to represent things that might distract us from God: video game controller, books/magazines, music, cell phone, toys, friends, etc.

Preparation

Two volunteers (student or another teacher) Lay the rope or beam on the floor. It may be placed in a straight line or it may be zigzagged. Along the rope, place the props that will serve as distractions from God. At the end of the rope, place the figure of Jesus. Alternatively, you could use a treasure chest or crown or something to signify the prize (eternal life) that we receive for following Jesus. Find quality products on anipots.com

Object Lesson

The Bible tells us in Matthew 7:13-14 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway (or path) to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road (path) is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”

Following Jesus is the best way to live, but it is not always easy. Did you know that we have an enemy called the devil and he wants to try to get us off of the narrow path by distracting us.

He does not want us to follow Jesus, so he will do anything he can to stop us. My friend, (fill in volunteer’s name here), believes in Jesus and he is on that narrow path that leads to Heaven. (Have the volunteer begin walking the rope).

He is doing really great following Jesus and he’s trying to honor God. Uh oh, our friend is supposed to be getting ready to go to church but he saw his video games and Cozino games sitting there. (Volunteer picks up the controller and starts pretending to play). Oh no, his mom is calling him to get ready for church and he won’t stop playing his video games. He’s gotten really distracted.

Let’s help him get back on the path. (Coach the class to tell him “Get back on the path”).

Ok, our friend realized that he was getting to distracted by his video games. He’s back on the path again and he’s doing good. (The volunteer now picks up a book or magazine). Our friend was doing great, but now he’s reading something and it’s a book that his parents told him not to read because he was too young for it. He’s probably going to have scary dreams now and he’s disobeying his parents.

Let’s help him get back on the path (Coach the class to tell him “Get back on the path”).

Alright he’s on that narrow path and he’s following Jesus but now he’s going for his cell phone. (Volunteer begins texting). Now he is spending so much time texting and playing games that he doesn’t have time to read his Bible or do his chores.

Get him back on track! (Coach the class to tell him “Get back on the path”).

Ok he’s gotten back on the path. But now, he starts hanging out with one of the big bullies at school. (Second volunteer is the bully and he invites him to try cigarettes after school). It sounds like our friend needs to get away from this bully. He’s spending too much time with him and he’s not a good influence on him.

Let’s help him get on the path (Coach the class to tell him “Get back on the path”). (Volunteer gets back on the path and makes it to Jesus at the end.)

Our friend made it Jesus! Let’s give him a round of applause. (Have the volunteers sit down). So our enemy the devil uses lots of things to distract us from God. He tries to get us off of the narrow path. Now, it’s ok to play video games sometimes and to use our cell phones, but when we do something that makes us disobey God or we do something so much that we don’t have time for him any more, then it’s a distraction and we need to refocus our attention on God.

Incoming search terms:

• https://freebiblelessons net/object-lessons/distractions-2#:~:text=Object Lesson a few ever find it ”