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Anger
Otto Koenig tells his story of the lessons he learned on the mission field. 
Anxiety
A volunteer is placed in a somewhat stressful set of circumstances as we discuss how a Christian should deal with the real thing.
A ridiculous “machine”, stress, and the proper response by a mature Christian.
April Fool's Day
April Fools specialty item.  
Armor of God
The armor of God described with items found on the beach instead of the battlefield.
Atonement
Atonement is not a word used often in normal conversation.  Covering a marshmallow with Hershey’s Chocolate syrup seemed like an excellent way to demonstrate this wonderful Scriptural concept.
There is an interesting literary feature that occurs in this verse and no where else in the Bible and leads to a discussion of atonement.
The imputation of the righteousness of Christ explained with a Rubik’s cube “instant solve” illusion.
Bearing Fruit
We as Christians are called to bear fruit.  Giving away teddy bears just may make that idea memorable.
Why we must be attached to the vine, Jesus, is explained in pictures and stories to go with each word of John 15:5.
A group activity reinforcing the idea that we need to instill good character choices in our lives.
Bible Study
Lightweight plastic bags and Bernoulli’s principle affirm the importance of studying the Bible.
A World War II propaganda tool used against Germany illustrates the importance of Bible study.
The Bible is filled with concepts that are difficult to understand.  How many slang terms for “money” do you know?
A strobe light flashing at a running fan exposes our need to genuinely study the Bible.
A Bible study contemplating the very first word the Old Testament compared to the last word found there.
A visual demonstration of the foolish building upon a sand foundation.  We need the foundation of Christ.
Using pictures layered on top of one another, the importance of Bible study is shown.
The Bible is Absolutely True
A very visual demonstration showing the uniqueness and validity of Scripture compared to secular writings.
Using charts, a timeline from Adam to Noah is established from the genealogy in Genesis 5.
Four aspects of the person of God are to all to be found in three different places in the Bible. 
Jesus created this universe and it is HUGE!  Nothing shows that better than a scale model built right there in the room—the bigger the better.
Evolution is a theory, and a very poorly substantiated one at that.  Let’s test the concept with Tinker Toys.
Bitterness
The most dangerous creature on the face of the earth.  Have you ever held a grudge?
Blood of Jesus
Isaiah mentions that if sin has a color it is red.  Interestingly, so is blood.  Not a coincidence.
The story of a portrait by Ly Le, and the truth about the importance of the blood of Christ in forgiveness.
Character Matters
A group activity reinforcing the idea that we need to instill good character choices in our lives.
Potatoes—“taters”—are a memorable way to introduce the character traits that we all need to avoid and traits that we need to incorporate in our lives.
Christmas
A silly high-pressure sales pitch for everything you need for Christmas contained in a brown paper bag.
The most unique “Living Nativity” you will ever see.
A Christmas poem lamenting the fact that there are no crocodiles in the Biblical Christmas story.
Choices Matter
The classic sleight of hand game with a unique twist.  A discussion about how to make good choices in life.
Choices in life matter.  What better way to demonstrate that than to ride a bicycle on the top of a scaffold?
A very small, simple illusion that always leaves people wondering what just happened.  You can’t always trust your five senses when making decisions in life.
A very simple illustration God loves us irregardless of our past or mistakes.
Church
Electromagnets and ping pong balls exemplify how we need each other and especially God.
A group activity that is exactly what it sounds like—Hair Stylists and Church Workers have finally been compared.
A simple comparison of the habits of porpoises and members of the local church.
A group activity to build the tallest spaghetti tower requires working together, much like we must in church.
An amazing machine that does absolutely nothing—much like many people in our churches today.
Are you a pillar or a caterpillar in your local church?  The church needs solid supporters and workers.
Compromising with Sin
One of the best object lessons to visually show how compromise and sin can take us in the wrong direction.
An activity for the entire group and a discussion about the depravity of man.
Creation
A photo released from NASA taken by the Hubble telescope showing the vastness of this universe.
Jesus created this universe and it is HUGE!  Nothing shows that better than a scale model built right there in the room—the bigger the better.
Evolution is a theory, and a very poorly substantiated one at that.  Let’s test the concept with Tinker Toys.
Depravity of Man
An activity for the entire group and a discussion about the depravity of man.
Just as in the Garden of Eden, when given even just one rule to follow, most will fail.
Discernment
A cooking demonstration that goes awry as a result of the ingredients being furnished by a less than reputable firm.
Discipleship
A toilet paper launching canon is used to affirm the Scriptural truth that we are to be “conformed to the image of Christ.”
You will need a drawing board from Axtell Puppets for this one, but it is definitely worth it!  We are to look like Christ.
Instead of carving a jack-o-lantern, try carving a pepper as you discuss discipleship and personal testimony.
Otto Koenig tells his story of the lessons he learned on the mission field. 
Balloons, string and a little ingenuity lead to a discussion about following God and obeying Him.
Doubt
A very visual demonstration showing the uniqueness and validity of Scripture compared to secular writings.
A discussion about doubt that does not ignore the invisible elephant in the room.
A classic illusion that is used to acknowledge that we may have doubts, but God is faithful.
Eternal Security
A lesson that tells of the surety of salvation as seen by a little old lady.
Eternity
A lecture detailing how God has placed the desire for Heaven on every heart.
A visual reminder that our life here is so short compared to the length of eternity.
Evolution
Evolution is a theory, and a very poorly substantiated one at that.  Let’s test the concept with Tinker Toys.
Faith
An illusion that reveals that we must live by faith and not by sight.
A very small, simple illusion that always leaves people wondering what just happened.  You can’t always trust your five senses when making decisions in life.
A discussion about doubt that does not ignore the invisible elephant in the room.
To serve God properly, we need faith.  The bigger the project , the larger the tool needed to accomplish the task.
The importance of faith explained with a collection of woodworking tools.
Some things we will not understand this side of Heaven.  The “slow ball” is one of them.
A re-enactment of Peter walking on the Sea of Galilee.  Faith, trust, and fear all on display facing a pan filled with milk.
Fear
A re-enactment of Peter walking on the Sea of Galilee.  Faith, trust, and fear all on display facing a pan filled with milk.
Forgiveness
The truth of salvation and forgiveness taught with two common household  chemicals.
Isaiah mentions that if sin has a color it is red.  Interestingly, so is blood.  Not a coincidence.
A very visual re-enforcement of the idea that obedience and respect go hand in hand, whether you are in a woodworking shop or walking through life with God.
A very personal and visual way to demonstrate the truth that our sin is always first and foremost against God.
God is not to be seen as someone who we simply go to to have our sins “fixed”.  
History and theology parallel each other.  Why would anyone refuse a pardon from death?
The original feud is “re-enacted” in the classroom and then explained in light of Biblical truth.
A look at leprosy as described in the Old Testament Law and how it pictures sin in our lives.
The story of a portrait by Ly Le, and the truth about the importance of the blood of Christ in forgiveness.
An amazingly simple illusion that examines the need for the forgiveness of sin in our lives.
A re-enactment of the parable of the Prodigal Son—sort of.  
A short skit telling the story of several prisoner’s reactions to a pardon from the king.
Freedom in Christ
Ten definitions of the word free shed light on the idea that we have freedom in Christ.
Gender Identity
A lecture that spells out why this issue is so important to understand.  God made us male and female for a reason.
General Teaching Ideas
A general teaching idea—doing things or writing things backwards.
A general teaching idea—that any Bible story can be told as if a local television station and reporters were involved in reporting the news.
Have you ever considered teaching a lesson wearing “googly” eyes?
What would it be like if “Alvin and the Chipmunks” came back to teach a Bible lesson?
The stuff is a bit expensive, but nothing sets the mood quite like carbon dioxide vapors flowing off of a table top.
A knot tying demonstration that looks simple, but it’s not easy.  Salvation on our part is simple, but on God’s part, it’s not easy.
A general teaching idea that can be used with almost any lesson.
Any lesson can be taught using this simple concept.
Giving
Valentine’s Day will never be the same with this box of chocolates.  A lesson about giving.
Giving God All
This is probably an outdoor lesson as it involves a smoldering fire that pictures the fire that should be burning in each of our hearts.
A ridiculous “rifle” is used to re-enforce the idea that we must give God our all.
God Is...
The link between King Saul’s failure and Queen Esther’s obedience displays how God’s plan will always be realized, even across centuries of time.
An illusion that reveals that we must live by faith and not by sight.
The truth of the sovereignty of God and His plans for our lives is seen first hand in a simple physics demonstration.
A short add on lesson pondering the question, if bubbles are not real, how can we know if God is real?
A very small, simple illusion that always leaves people wondering what just happened.  You can’t always trust your five senses when making decisions in life.
A parallel to the parable of the workers in the vineyard, except this one uses Beanie Babies—lots of them.
An oft overlooked aspect of a story from the book of Daniel that points clearly to man’s inability to see things from God’s perspective.
A reprise of Kabul’s character in the retelling of the story of finding  Rebecca.
Using pictures layered on top of one another, the importance of Bible study is shown.
A classic illusion that is used to acknowledge that we may have doubts, but God is faithful.
Jesus created this universe and it is HUGE!  Nothing shows that better than a scale model built right there in the room—the bigger the better.
Some things we will not understand this side of Heaven.  The “slow ball” is one of them.
If there is a “soap opera” in the Bible, it is to be found in Daniel 11.
God Has a Plan
A toilet paper launching canon is used to affirm the Scriptural truth that we are to be “conformed to the image of Christ.”
The truth of the sovereignty of God and His plans for our lives is seen first hand in a simple physics demonstration.
You will need a drawing board from Axtell Puppets for this one, but it is definitely worth it!  We are to look like Christ.
Holding fire in the palm of the hand is a great way to teach about trust—honest!
A cute story about a camel who was not satisfied with his physical appearance until he got his wish.  (Actually, five to be exact.)
A reprise of Kabul’s character in the retelling of the story of finding  Rebecca.
A simple comparison of the habits of porpoises and members of the local church.
Carve a portion of a sandcastle while discussing God’s plans for the life of a Christian.
If there is a “soap opera” in the Bible, it is to be found in Daniel 11.
A fascinating toy is used to show that submission to the will of God is always the best direction in life.
A simple illustration that God's plan revolves around the fact that we are precious to Him
Godliness
A toilet paper launching canon is used to affirm the Scriptural truth that we are to be “conformed to the image of Christ.”
Bad habits can bind us just like a few wraps of thread around the wrists cannot be broken.
Serving God and humility must go hand in hand.  A box named Bob learns this firsthand.
There is a direct correlation between reading the Word of God, and keeping our minds and thoughts pure.  An illusion.
Usually used in the world of precious gems, this word should describe our lives (as well as a piece of exotic wood.)
You will need a drawing board from Axtell Puppets for this one, but it is definitely worth it!  We are to look like Christ.
A parallel of “You are what you eat”, to “You are what you take into your heart”.
​The spiritual perfume or cologne that we might wear is a fragrance that evokes either love or hatred from others, with no in between ground.
Sin generally creeps in, takes root and then grows, as we attempt to rationalize its presence.  There are many similarities to the way I draw a picture.
Theological lesson from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story dealing with imitating God.
The concept of sanctification explained in detail using five things with holes in them.
We have all heard of it, but what if it were actually a real ladder?
Instead of carving a jack-o-lantern, try carving a pepper as you discuss discipleship and personal testimony.
Carve a portion of a sandcastle while discussing God’s plans for the life of a Christian.
The basics that we need as Christians to survive in the world that we live in today.
Goliath
An exaggerated telling of the story of Goliath and his four, very tall relatives., as found in II Samuel 21.
Gospel
A five lesson lecture series on salvation.
I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast.  I hope you do, too.
Grace
A unique look at Ephesians 2 and the grace of salvation.
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