Props: water, ice, jar containing water and covered in
plastic, and/or a cup of hot water. Allow the water in the jar to set
for a few hours in the heat so that water droplets form on the inside
of the plastic top.
God In Three Persons:
The Bible teaches us that God is three unique persons, yet he is
ONE GOD. He is God the FATHER, God the SON (JESUS), and God the HOLY
SPIRIT. We call this the Trinity*, or
triune nature of God*. This is hard to understand, even for adults.
However, water is a great
example of how something can be three different things, and at the
same time remain one thing. Water can be a liquid, a solid (ice), and
a gas (vapor/steam).
Show the different props as you name the different states of
water. When you get to gas, show the jar with water droplets and
explain that the water is vaporizing or becoming a gas. You cannot see
the process of water turning into a gas, only the effects of the gas after it rises to the top and lands on the plastic. You can also
use a cup of hot water and allow the children to feel the warm steam
rising to touch their hands.
Even though there are three uniquely different states of water
(liquid, solid, and gas), they are still water. These
states or forms of water can remind us of the triune nature of God.
The solid form of water (ice) reminds us of God the
FATHER. Ice is hard.
It is solid. In the same way, God the FATHER is our solid
foundation.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14
The liquid form of water reminds us of God the SON.
We use water to take baths, to get clean. In the same way, God the SON, died on the cross to
cleanse us of our sin.
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"
Hebrews 9:14
The gas form of water reminds us of God the HOLY SPIRIT. Gas cannot
be seen, but you can see the effects of it. As we
did when we saw
the water droplets on the plastic, or felt the warmth of the steam
from the hot water. In the same way, the HOLY SPIRIT cannot be
seen, but the effects of his presence can be seen and felt in our lives as the
HOLY SPIRIT works to make his will known to us and to change us to become
more like him.
I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
John 16:12-15
The next time you drink a glass of water, eat an ice cube, or
feel the effects of steam, let this lesson on water remind you that
God is three Persons in One!
* The word trinity
or triune nature of God is not mentioned in the Bible. However, there are plenty of
Scripture references that display the interchange and interrelationship
of the trinity such as those found, below.
