The Lemon Of Bitterness - Puppet Show And Lesson - Restored August 19th, 2014

The Lemon Of Bitterness

( A Lesson On Bitterness)

Susan Y Nikitenko

May 13th, 2013

I Wrote The Puppet Show About 15 Years Ago

But This Lesson Was Written This Morning  -

Age: Junior Age And Up

This Lesson Can Be Modified For Younger Children

Puppet Props Needed:

2 lemons  - 1 cut in half

monkey mouth puppet

 ----------

Hello boys and girls,

Today I brought someone I think you will enjoy meeting.   His name is Charlie.   Charlie is such a busy little fellow.  He's always doing the funniest little things.   Charlie will be visiting us off and on during the year to help me teach you some valuable lessons about life.

Come on up here Charlie, 

(Charlie pops up with a lemon in His mouth.  Charlie moves around being funny  like a monkey making monkey sounds,  but keeps the lemon in His mouth.)  

Charlie has a little problem but He really doesn't even know it.   He has been holding on to a lemon all morning and He won't let it go.   The problem is he thinks the lemon he is holding is a banana. 

Charlie,  I've told you that it's not a banana and if I give it to you,  you're not going to like it.

(Teacher tries to take the lemon from Charlie but he  won't let her. Just make sure it stays funny. ) 

Charlie,  I promise you that it is a lemon.  Do you want me to prove it to you?  (Charlie shakes His head yes)  Teacher has a lemon already cut in half in a plastic baggie.

I have a lemon I've cut in half. See it's the same as what you are holding in your mouth.  Here taste it.

(Charlie puts down the lemon in his mouth to taste the lemon she is holding in her hand)

(Charlie makes a sour face and makes funny reactions and sounds)

See Charlie, I told you, you wouldn't like it.  Here Charlie,  how about a banana? 

(Charlie shakes his head  yes and happily plays with the banana and exits while the teacher starts to teach the  lesson.)

Today's lesson is about bitterness.  There  are many things in life that hurt us.  When hurts or disappointments happen in life we have a choice how to react to them.   When someone has hurt us or disappoints us we sometimes feel  angry.    We want to hold on to that anger,  just like Charlie held onto that lemon.  Anger in the heart can make one a very hard person and a very  unhappy person.   it puts an ugly expression on our face and silently kills our joy inside.  It robs us of being the best person we can be. 

God doesn't want us to stay angry .  It doesn't mean He never wants us to be angry because anger is good when it's under control and used to make good decisions and making plans on fixing a problem,   but when anger makes you do something wrong  like holding a grudge, or gossiping, or hating, or hurting someone else to get even it becomes a very dangerous sin. 

God doesn't  want us to go to bed with anger in our heart, He wants us to pray about our anger and forgive anyone who has hurt us or put whatever problem it is into His hands.  God knows that anger in someone's heart becomes bitterness.  The Bible describes bitterness as a root.   Anger grows like a tree and the longer it is left in the soil of our heart the deeper the root grows and the harder it is to dig out.

Bitterness causes bad attitudes that effect other people and it causes other people to be upset and to suffer around us.  Bitter people tend to strike out at the people that have been good to them.  Bitter people destroy themselves and the people they love.  They are hard to live with and they  don't even like themselves.

This is what bitterness left to grow starts to look like. 

I'm glad Charlie decided the lemon didn't taste good.  We need to see that holding onto the lemon of bitterness.  Has to be dealt with before the sun goes down or the root will grow deeper into the good ground of our heart and it will grow like a weed choking out the happiness in our lives and also in the lives of those around us.

If we  have been having a hard time forgiving someone,  we know that we need to get that taken care of.   So let us bow our heads today and ask ourselves " Is there anyone I need to forgive?" 
 If so, we need to make a decision with God's help just to let it go.  We need to confess the sin of unforgiveness  and to ask God to heal our hearts because bitterness hurts ourselves the most.

Dear Father In Heaven,

I have been very angry and I know it is wrong to stay angry.  Please do not let any root of bitterness take control of my  life and actions towards other people.  I know Father you have forgiven me even  though I have not deserved any of your mercy.  I want you to use my life for your honor and glory.  I know I cannot stay angry and be completely be used of you.  Forgive me Lord and give me the grace to forgive and love others the way you would have me to do.

In Christ name I pray, Amen

Scripture References:

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

 Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link To This Blog. Thank-You.



Poem Suggestion : Let Go





 Let Go

Children's  Poem

Funny little monkey;
Climbing in the tree.
Finds a different coconut;
It has a hole you see.

He peeks inside and sniffs.
Mmm, it smells sooo good.
He sticks his little hand inside;
Just like a monkey would.

He finds a yummy treat.
He holds to it, real tight.
When he pulls to bring it out;
He pulls, he jerks, he fights.

Funny little monkey;
He's stuck, he can't get free.
Determined now, to keep the treat;
He won't let go you see.

Funny little monkey;
Trapped in a hunter's snare.
Doesn't see the danger;
And is taken unaware.

Listen, children listen.
Don't let sin keep your hold.
Trapped your life is useless;
When in bondage you are sold.

Let go and let the Lord;
Give strength in sins attempt.
To take away your freedom;
Just like this little chimp.

~ Susan Y Nikitenko ~
Copyright © 2009
All Rights Reserved

memory verses

 coloring sheets

  2Timothy 2:22   Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

 James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link To This Blog. Thank-You.

The Spiritual Monster Mash Theme - New Ideas

This Is A Wonderful Idea The Lord Gave Me This Morning To Go With The Halloween Poem I Wrote - The Spiritual Monster Mash.  Check Out My Other Fall Poem Ideas For Fall.

Resisting Sin

The Spiritual Monster Mash

 Lord, give me feet, gospel feet.

That smash the monsters in life;

A spiritual monster mash;

Mashing envy, mashing strife.

I'll  mash and smash out anger;

I'll defeat the giant foe.

As long as you go with me, Lord;

I'll mash them as I go.

The spiritual monster mash;

With my shield and sword in hand.

And my big, big gospel feet;

O, Lord, Give me grace to stand.

I'll do the mash!
The spiritual monster mash.
I'll do the mash!
I'll have a sin stompin', splash.

I'll have to eat properly;

                    Eat lots of wheaty Holy Meat.   (The Word)

Drink lots of prayer power aid;

While working out my mashing feet.

I'll mash out discontentment;

And mash out the prideful thought.

All you ugly monsters run!

You don't want to get caught.

I will mash and I will smash you;

With my big, big mashing feet.

With Jesus as my muscle;

I've got all you monsters beat!

The spiritual, monster mash;

Stomp, stomp, mash, bash, crash!

I'll put those monsters to an end:

Doing  the spiritual..... monster mash;

I'll do the mash!
The spiritual monster mash.
I'll do the mash!
I'll have a sin stompin', splash.

~ Susan Y Nikitenko  ~   

October  23rd, 2011

All Rights Reserved

 James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Poem Poster Here:
    Game Suggestion

Monster Mash Game

Craft / Game Objective:  To teach us to resist sin

 Blow up quite a few balloons.

Draw a monster on each balloon.

Write out the sins represented.

Select two teams.

Set a timer.  2 or 3 minutes

See who can stomp and pop the most monster balloons.

http://www.juliabettencourt.com/printables/ssheets/monstershandout.pdf

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

A Pumpkin With A Purpose - Updated November 18th, 2012 - Restored August 22nd, 2014

  Tell This Story With Your Own Personality

A Pumpkin With A Purpose

Susan Y Nikitenko

October 10th, 2012
tween to teen or adult

The farmer's children went out to the field to find just the right pumpkin for carving.  They found one slightly too big to carry so they rolled it, pushed it, banged it a couple times and even got stuck into a hole once.  They managed to free the pumpkin from the hole and continued on their mission.  The eldest went to get their riding mower with its cart, which was in the barn.  He then returned to give their pumpkin a ride the rest of the way home.  On the way the mower  hit a bump and the pumpkin rolled off the cart and down the hill.  The three children all ran down the hill to roll it back up the hill and they loaded it back onto the cart.  Then finally they made it to the front door of their home and brought it inside to prepare the pumpkin for carving.  They went into the house  laughing and out of breath.  They were filled with excitement as they told their mother what a great time they had getting the pumpkin to the house.

This pumpkin had a very important purpose.  They washed the pumpkin and gathered the tools they needed to carve it.  They cut the bottom off  and dug out all the yucky stuff on the inside.  Then they  carefully stenciled the pattern on the face of the pumpkin.  They cut the shapes out very carefully.  Then they placed an electric candle into the bottom.  They turned the lights off to look at their work.  This was to be a very special pumpkin and it was.  Three lovely flowers and the words JESUS LOVES YOU!  shined beautifully.   It would be a light for Jesus during the Fall season.  What a blessing.

In the pumpkin patch of life we need to learn endurance.  The pumpkin had to endure some hardship to get where it needed to be.  Sometimes God allows us to go through some difficult times in order to teach us to be long suffering.  Life is not always easy, but if you are God's child.  He has a purpose for you.   If God knows every sparrow that falls to the ground.  Then He certainly is involved in the details of your life. 

One of the verses  in God's Word that has always kept me trusting God is Romans 8:28.  God has a purpose and if we believe we will endure in this hope.  God has a greater purpose.  Each one of us have a purpose.  God is getting us to where we need to be.  God is stenciling out His plan.  He's taking out all the ugly stuff and He's filling us up full of His light.  .  He is using the tools necessary to fulfill His purpose for us.  Then He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.

He loves you so much and He wants you to be His child.  He wants to be your Father in heaven.  He has a purpose for you.  You can find that purpose by trusting Christ for salvation.   ( Invitation to salvation).

For the telling of this story object lesson: Prepare a pumpkin with three flowers and the words " Jesus Love You" on the front of a pumpkin with a light. You will show only the back during the beginning of the story and turn it around at the appropriate time for the class - or when you say - He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.

Invitation:

As you can see there are three flowers on our pumpkin,  each one stands for something very special.   This first flower represents grace.  God through His grace has provided a way for salvation.  We could never live good enough to make it to heaven on our own good works.  The bible teaches that if we have broken even one of the commandments we are guilty of all.  The bible also teaches us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The second flower represents faith.  Faith is belief in action.  God loved us and had mercy on us.  He sent us a Savior even though we did not deserve one.  Jesus paid our sin debt.  Because the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal  life through Christ alone.  (Not of works lest any man should boast).

The third flower represents confessing.  When we understand that we are sinners and see our need for salvation.  We would be willing to admit we are sinful and have a desire to become a child of God.   God's desire is that we become part of His family.  The family of God.  He wants to be your father and you His child.  If we confess our sins He's faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness .  Jesus died for you personally.  He paid your sin debt.  In victory He arose from the dead, Just as you will be made alive in your heart.  Living your life to please our Father and no longer live to please yourself. 

In humility He wants you to pray, prayer does not save you, but it is evidence of a life humbled before God with a real desire and a real belief in what God has provided for you.  Accepting Christ through Faith and taking Him at His Word. You are forgiven.  There is now no more condemnation - (no more guilt or shame) you are justified - and declared innocent in His sight.
Your debt was paid through Christ Jesus our Lord.  

This Is His Gift To You.  

Verses:

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

 Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 Ephesians  2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians  2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans  3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans  3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ro mans 8:1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link To This Blog. Thank-You.