February 14, 2011
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Chocolate Chip Cookies
My Sunday School lesson was about Jacob.
Title: Jacob’s History: Making Right Choices
I printed seventeen sentences, cut them, and then the girls needed to put Jacob’s life in proper order as you see above. The lesson was from Jacob’s birth to when he met his brother Esau on his way back to Canaan.
We did it together, taking one sentence at a time. I think Abby found #12. I love my class of 16 girls. They are at a precious age (6th and 7th grade)….attentive and wanting to grow spiritually. It was a fun, relaxing activity.
If you remember Jacob’s life, he made some very unwise choices. After our Bible lesson, I enjoy applying the lesson to today. The following story I share with you I taught several years ago. That year I told the story first – then we had our chocolate chips cookies. This time I wondered if it would have more of an impact if I tell the story WHILE they are eating their chocolate chip cookies….you’ll soon see why.
In case you have your eye on Lauren, I told them to help themselves to seconds!
As I study, I pray for my Heavenly Father to guide me. We first talked about some of the choices Jacob made that we remembered. Then to help them apply it to today, I felt to zero in at this point on just one area in our lives – entertainment.
They were very attentive as I told this story:
”A father of three teens set a rule that their family could watch only certain videos and DVDs.
This created a problem when a popular movie came out in local theatres. All three teens were wanting to see this film even though it was R rated.
So the teens interviewed friends and even members of their church getting a list of pros and cons about the movie. They hoped the list would convince their Dad they should be allowed to attend. On their list the cons were that it
~only used a few swear words that misused God’s name
~only one act of violence was in the movie
~and only one sex scene…and only implied – nothing seen.
The teens did not want to feel left out when their friends discussed this movie. It was advertised well and made them more anxious to see it. Some of their Christian friends at church had already seen it and said it wasn’t ’that bad.’
Since they had gathered more points for it then against it, the teens asked their Dad to reconsider his rule – just this once! The father looked at the list and asked if he could have a day to think about it before making this decision. The teens were thrilled! This looked promising!
The next evening the father called his three children into the living room. They were puzzled to see a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the coffee table. The father said he had decided that if they would eat a cookie, then he would let them go to the movie.
But just like the movie, the cookie had pros and cons!
The pros were…..
~They had been made with fresh walnuts.
~They were made with the finest chocolate.
~The recipe he used won first place in a baking contest.
~Best of all, they had been made with care by the hand of the teens own father!
The cookies had only had one point against them!
~They had just a LITTLE bit of dog poop in them!!!!!
BUT the dough had been mixed very well! The teens would probably not even be able to taste it. AND – their father had baked the cookies at 350 degrees so any bacteria or germs had probably been destroyed!”
At this point, (most of them have finished their cookies by now) I very seriously said, “What would you say if my cookies have just a little dog poop in them??
You met Abby in one of the above pictures – her face was soo funny as she said, “I’m afraid to ask!” I immediately smiled and assured the girls that I had NOT done that!
Then I finished the story – “Dad continued – Therefore if any of his children could stand to eat a cookie that included just a little bit of poop, then they also would be permitted to see the movie with just a little bit of smut!
The teens turned down the cookies – not one of them could eat them!! And – best of all, they understood!”
My prayer is this story would have an impact on these dear girls. We agreed our choices are very, very important.
~Living our Christian life takes careful thought!
I hope you also were blessed by the story. I heard Ranae Dobson tell this over her Dad’s radio program.
~Have a good week!
Comments (10)
now that is a great analogy!!! thanks for sharing.
Sounds like you are a very interesting Sunday School teacher!God bless you as you continue to touch their young lives!
I heard this exact example just last week from a friend of mine and thought it was so, so good!
It was so neat to get a sneak peek into your Sunday school class… what a great way to illustrate truth & tie it all together with a hands on Bible story, powerful analogy & tasty treats to drive it all home! I had to smile about them asking about the cookies you’d made… I’ll remember this to share with my own children. I am certain the Lord will richly bless your teaching & impact these childrens life through it! Continuing to pray & comment on baby Trevor’s care page. Blessings to you & your family!
Again, I want to say that I think your Sunday Schlool class of young girls are so blessed and will cherish the time they have spent under you for their teacher. What wisdom!!
Sixteen girls are so lucky to have you for a tteacher! Oh my! Oh my! I would love to be in your Sunday School class! What a wonderful illustration – and powerful.
@setapart1979 - Thank You Amber for your comment and for your prayers. Last evening Nevin and I went to visit Doug and Beth and had the wonderful privilege to see Doug holding baby Trevor. The first thing Doug said when I walked in the room, with a tear-filled voice,”God answered prayer” as he held Trevor. Only one of us could be back at a time so Nevin told me to go first. I felt almost like I was standing on holy ground where prayer had been answered as I watched Doug and at the same time so aware of all the hi-tech equipment around me. It was a very precious time to me. I would have loved to also have a picture of Beth holding Trevor for her first time in15 days but it felt too private to ask her. I cannot imagine her joy. That evening when they arrived at the hospital Beth told Doug to hold Trevor first because he had not held him at all yet. After delivering Trevor Beth had him lying on her chest about 10 mins. and it was then they discovered he was having a problem breathing. So this was Doug’s very first time!! It was so touching. (Wanted to tell you the name right above yours on the care page is my dear daughter, Barb.) Doug asked last night if they can bring Trevor home next week.
At this point they are thinking the beginning of March. Thank you for caring and praying. ~Blessings on your Wednesday
What a wonderful lesson. The girls are so blessed to have you as their Sunday School teacher. Like Coleen, I would love to be in your class
. I love how you bring in stories from the Bible with updated stories and analogies so their girls can see how the lessons can be used in our life today. Have a wonderful week.
I think I remember you sharing this lesson before. What a GREAT analogy!!! Tried to catch up on a few of your recent posts as I have not been on the computer as often lately. What a precious calendar gift you received from your loved ones!! Very beautiful and special. Have a great day!
@loaine - @ColeenSr - @buana - Thank you ladies for your kind words. I want to say very quickly that teaching is not a spiritual gift for me. I do lean on the Lord very much for direction when I prepare to teach as I care about these girls and their spiritual journey. Remember being that age!