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A Sweet & Salty Object LEsson
God is always good; Even difficult times have purpose!

This object lesson for kids is both interactive and encouraging. Using a blind taste test of salt and sugar will demonstrate how God has purpose for both the sweet and the salty times of our lives.

Kids as well as adults wonder why God allows bad things to happen especially to good people.  Help students see how God can use even the bad for our good.

Topic: Difficulties and Purpose

Object Lesson Title: Sweet & Salty

Object:  Sugar & Salt

Bible Verses:  Psalm 34:8, Romans 8:28

Key Takeaway:  God is good and uses difficult times for our good.

Object Lesson Prep:  Place salt and sugar in separate ziplock bags; mark one with an "S" with only you knowing which one it is.  You will also need a paper plate and a writing utensil for each student.


Object Lesson - Sweet & Salty

Demonstrate

Give each student a paper plate and have them draw two circles.  Tell them you are going to place something that looks similar in each circle for them to taste.

Pour a bit of salt into one circle and a bit of sugar in the other for each student.  If they are older like our 3rd and 4th graders, they may be able to recognize the difference by sight; that's okay!

Let them choose which to taste first.  If they do know the difference already, many will probably taste the sugar first.  Next, have them taste the other.

Discuss which tasted better, which they would want to taste more, and why they wouldn't want to eat more of the other.

Comparison

Sugar tastes good all by itself.  The salt was hard to eat by itself, but actually offers more benefits than the sugar.  

Salt -

  • enhances other flavors,
  • has healing properties,
  • and can be used to preserve other foods.

Difficulties in life are hard by themselves, but God can use the hard times for our good just like the benefits of salt.

Hard times in life -

  • strengthen our faith as we see God's faithfulness,
  • cause us to lean into Him for His strength,
  • make us appreciate the good times more,
  • and equip us to minister to others in their hard times.

Bible Verses:

"Taste and see that the Lord is good;

How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"

Psalm 34:8

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

Story of Paul

Acts 21 tells the story of Paul's arrest while in Jerusalem.  Being arrested sounds like a really bad thing!  The Jewish leaders accused Paul of telling others to disobey the Jewish law. They were stirring up a crowd to kill Paul.

Some Roman soldiers nearby heard about the commotion and went to stop it.  They arrested Paul which at first seems like a bad thing, but really they saved his life by rescuing him from the mob.

God had a plan for Paul to go to Rome and share the Good News of the Gospel with Gentiles there.  We see later that Paul's arrest led him to be taken right where God wanted him.  It was difficult, but it was for a bigger purpose.

In the same way, God can use difficulties in our life for his bigger plan for us.  Hard times can have purpose when we trust God with them!

Discuss

Have everyone turn to Romans 8:28 -


"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."


Not all the ingredients in desserts taste good by themselves, but when the good blends with the bitter, it can turn into something delicious!


Take time to share personal stories or other situations in which God brought good out of a bad situation.


© Written by Susan Smart, 2021



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Object Lesson Extenders

Memory Verse

Taste and see that the Lord is good;

How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8

Memory Verse Activities


salt shaker

Taste Test

An easy activity to lock the truth of this lesson into kids' memories is to do a taste test.  Have them taste the difference in salted and unsalted items such as pretzels or crackers; only use nuts if you are sure there are no nut allergies!  Remind them that even though the salt is hard to eat by itself, when added to other items, it enhances the taste.


 Salt Painting

Salt painting is so much fun and can be done with items you probably already have around the house!  All you need is sturdy paper, glue, salt and either water color paints or food coloring.  

You may want to use trays or do this outside for it does have potential to get a bit messy.


Bake!

If you're able, do some baking and remind kids of the truth of this object lesson!  Or have kids write out a recipe to take home and try!



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