| What is an Object Lesson? | | | | elaborate equipment is not necessary |
| An object lesson is the use of objects - insects, fruits, | | | | 7. The student is given first-hand experience by |
| vegetables, animals, coins, thermometers, tools, | | | | coming into contact with the object |
| weapons - to teach intellectual and spiritual truths. More | | | | 8. Because of nature of object lessons, the teacher |
| than just a visual, it draws a truth from something you | | | | will develop the habit of graphic, colorful portrayal of |
| are showing or doing. Real objects, places and | | | | truth which will make all teaching more powerful. |
| happenings can make learning come alive for children, | | | | DISADVANTAGES |
| youth, and adults. | | | | |
| The Bible Is Full of Object Lessons | | | | 1. The time is usually short so must be used as a part |
| The potter's house, the fig tree and sheep were used | | | | of a class. Usually as an introduction or an illustration or |
| by God to teach his people truths in ways they could | | | | conclusion. |
| understand, remember, and share with others. Lessons | | | | 2. Thinking of object lessons is very hard for many |
| can be found not only the things of nature, but in the | | | | people. Keep your mind open to possible object |
| sacrificial service and observances of the Bible. The | | | | lessons in your everyday life. |
| Scriptures themselves were given to reveal God. All | | | | 3. Objects may obscure the truth rather than clarify |
| of nature reveals the thought of God, but we often fail | | | | and simplify. |
| to see him through his creation. (Romans 1:20) | | | | 4. Small objects do not work well with large groups. |
| Jesus' Use of Object Lessons | | | | 5. There is a danger that students may become more |
| Jesus often used the things at hand around him to | | | | interested in the object than the lesson that is being |
| teach people about God and His Kingdom. When he | | | | presented. |
| was by a well, He used water. After He fed 5000 | | | | How to Use Object Lessons |
| people, He taught them about the bread of life. When | | | | |
| He was on a fishing boat, He said the Kingdom was | | | | 1. Choose the idea you want to illustrate and find an |
| like a fishing net. He told his listeners to consider the | | | | object that can represent that idea. |
| lilies, the sparrows, and the hairs on their head. Jesus | | | | 2. Plan every step for using the object lesson carefully |
| referred to a fig tree, a mustard tree, yeast, salt, a | | | | in advance. * Make an outline of the required steps. * |
| vineyard, money and other things from everyday life to | | | | Keep the demonstration simple. * Do not digress from |
| reveal spiritual truth. When He spoke of a vineyard, He | | | | the main ideas. |
| was probably by a vineyard. When He said, "consider | | | | 3. Practice using the object to illustrate the truth until it |
| the sparrows," there were probably sparrows flying | | | | is smooth. |
| around. | | | | 4. Rehearse your demonstration with a "guinea pig" if |
| In Christ's teaching, the unknown was illustrated by the | | | | possible. Try to find someone around the same age as |
| known; divine truths by earthly things, the spiritual by | | | | the intended audience. |
| the natural, the difficult by the simple. He used the | | | | 5. Tell a story the listener can relate to along with the |
| things with which the people were most familiar, the | | | | object lesson. Stories have an emotional impact on the |
| things of the earth to teach them the things that were | | | | listener and provide a means by which younger |
| unfamiliar, the things of heaven. Object lessons speak | | | | children, who think in very concrete terms can identify |
| to the eyes and other senses so that they are | | | | with the truth. |
| received into the heart. In fact the more senses that | | | | 6. Be sure every member of class can see |
| are involved, the greater the learning that takes place. | | | | demonstration. |
| Christ's teaching using object lessons was targeted at | | | | 7. Check frequently to make sure the demonstration is |
| adults, not children, but everyone can learn truths from | | | | understood. |
| a simple lesson involving the senses. | | | | 8. Keep summarizing as you go along. |
| Advantages and Disadvantages of Object Lessons | | | | 9. Don't hurry the lesson or drag out the lesson. |
| ADVANTAGES | | | | 10. Keep the punch line to the very end and build the |
| | | | suspense if you can. Make sure your draw the |
| 1. Objects attract and hold the attention of observers | | | | connection between the object and the idea. |
| 2. Objects can help simplify complex ideas and | | | | 11. Resist the temptation to explain all the deep |
| concepts. | | | | symbolism you've been able to uncover. The power of |
| 3. The high interest level extends to all age groups | | | | an object lesson is in its simplicity. One of the quickest |
| even though they are usually used with children. | | | | ways to ruin an object lesson is try to make it more |
| 4. Retention is very good due to the high interest as | | | | than it is. Make just one truth visible to your students - |
| well as the identification of the truth with the object. | | | | that's enough. Be sure that all details are authentic. |
| 5. Object lessons turn people's "eyes into ears." | | | | 12. Remember that it's the Holy Spirit, not your object |
| Because people think in terms of words and images, | | | | lesson, that instructs and changes students. Never use |
| objects help them recall what is taught. | | | | a visual aid because you are caught short. They must |
| 6. Object lessons are fairly easy to use in a class and | | | | work for you, not instead of you. |