The Transforming of God (Romans 12:1-2)

Scripture:

Romans 12:1-2

Summary: 

Students will examine water and a lump of clay to discover the transforming of God.

Materials Needed:

• Table (or floor…a flat platform)
• Different-shaped glass containers (bowls, glasses, pitchers, etc.)
• 1 Lump of clay (size = one that will fit into every container)
• Water
• Newsprint (or dry marker / chalk board)
• A marker
• Several different versions of the Bible

Preparation:

1. Set out the containers. Fill one of the containers with water, and place the clay in a different container.
2. Form a circle and ask for volunteers to read aloud the scripture from several different versions.

Activity:

1. Say: “Explain what you think is the difference between being ‘transformed’ and being ‘conformed’ (write their responses on the paper/board)
2. Hold up the water-filled container and ask the group to describe the shape of the water (You’re looking for them to say that it’s the shape of the container).
3. Pour the water into another container & ask the same thing. Repeat for all the containers.
4. Ask for a different definition of “conformity”.
5. Hold up the container with the clay in it. Ask them to describe the shape of the clay.
6. Change containers and again ask the clay’s shape. (Repeat for every container.)

Discussion

Put down the clay and ask students to answer these 4 questions:

1. What was the difference between the way the clay behaved, and the way the water behaved?
2. What can we learn from the clay that can help us understand what it means to be “transformed” by God’s way of thinking?
3. Which are you more like in your life: the water, or the clay? Explain.
4. In what ways does God transform Christians like a potter transforms clay?

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Explain that as we’re transformed by Christ, we stop being like the water and become more like the clay. We stay the same in all kinds of environments in the world, but are still able to be molded and transformed by God. But if we behave like the water, then we allow the world (or society) to form us to look like them.

Ask: “Think of an area in your lives where you conform to society.”

Pray: Ask Jesus to help them commit themselves to letting Him transform them in that area.