Object Lessons

"U" Made New

Objects: A large wide capital "U," a piece of currency, a collection plate, and a silk handkerchief. (The "U" should be made of stiff paper. Paint one side black and the other red with poster paints. The "U" is 11 inches wide and 8 ½  inches high. The side and bottom bars are 1 inch wide, and the corners at the base are square rather than curved. Lay the "U" with the red side down. Fold the right side in 1 inch from the outside, which will be just inside the upright bar. Fold in again 2 ½ inches farther—measuring from the outside edge—which will bring the upright bar to the center of the "U." Follow the same procedure with the left side. This should bring the two side bars to the center, giving the appearance of a capital "T" upside down.   Fold the foot of the "T" 6 ¼ inches from the end of the foot, folding toward you.  This will make a red cross. After creasing the "U," unfold before the lesson begins.)

What is the matter with this big "U"? "It is black, reminding us of a sinner."

The Bible says, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself" (Luke 10:27). What is a sinner like this "U" going to do when he reads this message in the Word of God?

There are some who realize they are sinners, but think their sinful condition will be changed if they give money to the church. Here is a dollar bill. We will let the "U" put it in the collection plate. He is as black as ever. Others often think that the wearing of beautiful clothes will take away sin, or will keep it from mattering so much. We will place this beautiful silk handkerchief around the sinful "U," only to find that it is unchanged.

If the sinner is ever to love God with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind, there must be a great change. See, something is happening. (Fold as previously described.) The black "U" is gone and a red cross appears. When sin is covered with the blood of Christ, God no longer sees the sin—He sees only the cross of Christ. The one whose life is thus changed can love God and his neighbor as the Bible requires.