Object lesson using a ziplock bag of water and 3 pencils. Illustrates how we need to trust the Lord even when things seem impossible.

Object lessons are one of my favorite teaching methods of all time. There’s no better way to grab your audience’s attention than WOW’ing them with a well-done object lesson that puts their thinking gears in motion. This object lesson is no exception. I give it 5 stars in the WOW factor department and another 5 stars in being able to relate it to a gospel principle.

I first did this object lesson in my Gospel Doctrine class and several mothers loved it so much that they did it in their Family Home Evenings the very next day. Unfortunately, they didn’t all have perfect results. CAUTION: If not done with the correct supplies or done as explained, someone will get wet! I highly suggest doing this a time or two over the sink as a practice run before doing it in front of an audience.

SUPPLIES:

Water

Quart Size Ziplock Bag 

3 Round Pencils 

NOT HEXAGONAL SHAPED PENCILS!! 

Round pencils ONLY – they are usually the ones with all the cool pictures on them as shown in the image above.

STEPS:

1. Fill the ziplock bag with water and close it tight!

2. Get a volunteer and hold the bag of water over their head. Tell them you are going to stab the bag of water with 3 pencils but they won’t get wet. Then ask, “DO YOU TRUST ME?“

3. Stab the pencils one at a time, quick and straight

LESSON LEARNED

Trust in the Lord even when things seem impossible.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

ANOTHER WAY TO USE THIS OBJECT LESSON

This object lesson can be used in any lesson on Trusting the Lord or on Faith but you can also adapt it to almost any subject especially if you use it as an attention-getter.

As with all gospel principles, we have to trust the Lord that they are true and that you will be blessed as a result of being obedient. You can begin your lesson with this object lesson and then segue into the gospel principle you are teaching.

For example, if you are teaching about tithing. You can begin with this object lesson and then ask the class, “Just like (insert volunteer’s name) had to trust me that I wouldn’t spill water on her, do you trust the Lord that by paying your tithing you will receive the blessings He has promised you?” 

Need quart size ziplock bags or pencils? Try these:

Check out this beautiful quote “Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fears” by Clicking HERE

Mormon Channel has a video called “Trust in the Lord” that goes perfectly with this object lesson. Watch it by clicking HERE

Yours Truly,

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