Imitators

Following the example of Jesus.

Materials Needed:

Just you!!  (Ahead of class draw up a list
of the most ridiculous actions that you could perform.

Age Group:

Grades 4 - 8 (10 to 14 years).

Play a game of Imitators where the class must follow you and do exactly what you do.  Use your list and do the most ridiculous actions around the hall or room, and make sure the kids follow suit!  After the game, ask the kids whether they liked being silly and ridiculous, and having to do what you did.   Then ask them for their views on what a true leader is like and when we should follow his or her example.

Good Leaders:

Paul tells us in the Bible to consider our leaders and the way they live their life.  If they live as good, honest and upright Christians, then we should imitate their lives.  Paul speaks about leadership and says:

"Consider your leaders way of life and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7).

And so to be a true "imitator" or follower, we need to be convinced to only follow the example of a leader who has travelled the way of faith.  Today "Peer Pressure" leads many children into doing wrong things because their friends tell them "It's OK".   Like trying drugs, drinking alcohol and going to bad places for example.

Jesus is our Saviour and we need to follow Him first of all as His disciples.  If we do what the Bible tells us, then we can be sure we are following Jesus's example and we will never go wrong.

"Be imitators of God as dearly beloved children." (Ephesians 5:1).

Today we did ridiculous things and it was funny, but you wouldn't like to do this all the time would you?  And so next time someone is the leader, check them out and see if they want to do good things before you follow them!

God bless!

Extract from one of our Object Lesson books