Use everyday or unusual items to teach children a Bible truth. Object lessons are short talks that use a specific item to demonstrate a lesson idea. Items for object talks are all around and usually free. Some children's leaders also choose to give each child an item to help him remember the object lesson.

Gather an X-ray and two or more types of flashlights. Have a child step forward. Shine a flashlight on her tummy. Say, "Let's see if Amy has any sins hidden inside." Move the flashlight to the child's head, ears, hands and legs. Say, "I don't see any sins on Amy. Let's try this on Zach." Repeat with several children. Finally, show an X-ray. Tell the children an X-ray shows what's inside of us. Let the children inspect the X-ray and tell what they see, which should be a head, hands, feet or other bones. Hold up a Bible (New International Version) opened to Proverbs 20:7 (NIV) and read the verse to the children. Say, "God is able to see what is inside of us, even things we don't think anyone knows. When we sin (do something wrong), God sees that hidden inside of us with his special lamp."

Provide rolls of toilet tissue. Call two children to stand beside you. Wrap toilet paper loosely around the two children to entangle them. Say, "I was going to have you race from here to that chair, but we can't have a race if you are all tangled up. What is that on you? The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:1 that we should run the race toward heaven, but we first need to throw off everything that entangles us. The Bible says that sin entangles us." Allow the children to remove the toilet tissue. Then allow the race to take place. Remind the children that sin entangles everyone and that they must get rid of their sins to be able to run the race to heaven.

Show the children at least one bird feeder. Ask how good it makes them feel to see a bird eating from the feeder, especially in the wintertime when food is scarce on the ground. Read Luke 12:24 out loud. Say, "God likes it when we help his creatures. God uses us to help take care of birds and other animals." Show some cans of food.

Say, "God also uses us to help take care of other people. How can we help make sure others have enough to eat? God is glad when we let him use us to help others."

Give children pieces of different lengths of rope. Have each one show where her rope begins and ends. Give some children metal hoops. Have these children show where their hoops begin and end. Explain that the circle shape does not end. Have older children take turns reading out loud, the last sentence in each verse in Psalm 136. Say, "Forever is like the circle hoops that never end."