Key Verse:

[Eph 2:10 NLT] 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Additional Verses:

Ephesians 2:1-7

Materials Needed:

Small wooden cross (available at Dollar Tree or from a craft store)

Broken tiles or glass mosaic tiles purchased from a craft store

Craft glue

Caution: Broken tiles may have sharp edges.  Use extreme caution if using this lesson with children, or purchase craft tiles with smooth edges.  

Note: For this lesson I am showing you an easy way to make a small mosaic that gets the point across.  You can make a larger version of this mosaic cross using a 1”x4” board, Mapei adhesive, broken tiles and grout (I found good instructions on Pinterest).  I used this lesson at a Women’s Retreat.  I had everyone participate by coming up and gluing on a couple of tiles and I asked them to contemplate which areas in their life God may be wanting to renew.   I grouted it later and displayed it in our church lobby.  

Preparation:

If using your own tiles, break them ahead of time.  Wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself.

Complete a small section of the mosaic cross ahead of time to show during the lesson.  At the conclusion of the lesson, invite people up to glue on some of the tiles.  

Object Lesson:

The Bible says in [Eph 2:10 NLT] 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Why did He create us anew?   Because we were broken.  We were dead, because of our sins.  We were all far from God because our sin kept us separate from God.  It broke our relationship with Him.  But God is so rich in mercy and He loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.

The emphasis in Ephesians 2:10 is not on how beautiful we are, but on how creative God is.  That He could take broken, sinful people and restore them back to a relationship with Himself.   

We’re not a masterpiece because we’re so beautiful.  We’re a masterpiece because God loved us so much that he put us back together.  

He restored us so we could do the good things HE planned for us long ago.  Notice, not the things that WE planned.  You may be in a different place in your life than you expected, but God has a purpose for you right where you are.  

There are other things besides our own sin that can break us too.  We may come from broken families, homes, relationships.  Broken dreams.  You thought your life would go one way, but it turned out differently.  You may have a broken heart.  I have some broken tiles here.  (Show the tiles)  Look, they are just bits and pieces.  They aren’t really good for anything.  How can something broken be made into a beautiful masterpiece?  

You may have seen a mosaic before.  (Take out the cross and show it.)  What’s a mosaic?  It’s a piece of art, created by broken things.  Broken pieces that have been put together to make something brand new.  I started this earlier and it’s already starting to look pretty good.  These tiles are going to be put together to make a beautiful piece of artwork.

God is such a creative artist that He took our sin, our brokenness, the smashed up bits, the garbage, our past and He restored us to Himself when Christ died for us.  He can heal the hurt, the brokenness you face.   

He wants to restore you, so you can bring glory and praise to Him.  

He created us anew, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.  Your past doesn’t disqualify you from serving God, it’s not your identity.  It qualifies you.  You can tell people, I was broken, but I’m not anymore.  I was dead in my sin, but I’m not anymore.

You may have an area of brokenness in your life.  Maybe it’s a sinful area of your life.  Maybe someone else has hurt you.  Maybe there’s an area in your life that needs transformation.  Let’s yield ourselves over to God and allow Him to restore us and use us to do the good things He planned for us long ago.  (Invite people to help finish the mosaic).  

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