"Washed Clean" an Easter Object Lesson for Preteens

* This guest post is from Matt Morgan, writer for preteenministry.net
While Easter is still weeks away, it’s a great idea to be prepared way in advance. Here is a great preteen Easter object lesson. Enjoy!
PREP
Get a 1-gallon fish bowl or similar size clear vase. Fill the bowl with 50-60 ounces of water. Place the bowl on a table or stool at center stage.
In a non-clear container, pour 2 cups of bleach. Make sure the bleach is kept in a safe place and out of the reach of children!
Place a small dropper of food coloring near the bowl of clear water. Most bleach has a yellowish tint; so blue food coloring works best for this lesson.
DEMONSTRATION
Discuss the definition of sin with the preteens. Ask them to define sin for you, and then give them a definition of sin. A great definition is Doing what I want to do, not what God wants me to do. This definition clearly presents the idea of disobedience and pride.
After you’ve properly defined sin, read Romans 3:23. Impress on the kids that everyone sins, which means everyone needs salvation. Say to the students, “The Bible says that we all sin. We’ve all disobeyed God. It might be that we’ve lied to our parents, stole from a friend, cheated on a test, or maybe we’ve said some things we shouldn’t say.”
As you mention the sins, put in 1 drop of food coloring for each. Feel free to substitute other sins, but limit the demonstration to 4-6 drops of food coloring. You may have to stir the food coloring in or shake the bowl to get the color mixed well in the water. You may even want to talk about trying to take back sin and make it right. As you reach your hand in to grab the “drops,” they will mix and turn the rest of the water blue.
Say: At Easter, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He died on the cross for you and me—to offer us forgiveness of sin. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Pour bleach into bowl of water) Jesus comes into our life and saves us. He washes away our sins.
The bleach will take a few moments to purify the water. As it does so, stand in front of it to block the students’ view. As you wait, read 1 John 1:7 for the group. After you have read the verse, say, “Easter is all about celebrating Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection from the grave. Jesus died and rose again so that you and I could be ‘purified from all sin.’” Step to the side so students can see the bowl of water. The water will have now turned clear again.
WRAP UP
This lesson is a great opportunity to present the Gospel and give preteens an opportunity to respond. Close the lesson by worshipping together with an appropriate song like Nothing but the Blood, Christ is Risen, or Happy Day.
Matt Morgan is a writer for PreteenMinistry.net, which provides creative curriculum and resources for preteen ministry. He is also a preteen pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.