All Puffed Up!

Say: This morning I have a balloon with me. A balloon is a simple toy, but it brings a lot of pleasure to people of all ages. There are so many things you can do with a balloon.

Ask: What do you like to do with a balloon? 

 Say: You can use balloons for decorations at a party or you can bat them around in the air like a ball. If you have a long, skinny balloon, you can even make it into the shape of an animal. Yes, a balloon can bring a lot of happiness, but it can bring sadness and disappointment too. If a child’s balloon pops, the child may cry.

Say: You and I are sometimes like a balloon. (Show kids the balloon.) We sometimes get all puffed up and think we’re better than other people. (Start blowing up the balloon.) 

By the time you say the following things, the balloon should be as big as possible. Say: Sometimes we may think we’re better than other people and we expect everyone else to think so too. (Blow.) Maybe we think we’re smarter than the other kids in our class (Blow). Or maybe we think no one is as good as us in sports (Blow). Or perhaps we think we are a better singer than anyone (Blow). Sooner or later, if we keep getting puffed up by thinking we’re better than others, something will happen to burst our balloon. (Prick the balloon so it deflates or pops.)

Read the Scripture: "Everyone who makes himself great will be made humble. But the person who makes himself humble will be made great.” Luke 14:11 (ICB)

Say: The Bible teaches us not to be too proud and think we’re better than other people. Jesus says we are to be humble and realize that when we are good at something, it is because of God's strength in us.

Say: From now on, when you see a balloon, I hope it will remind you that we should not become too puffed up and think we’re better than other people.

Pray: Jesus, help us be humble and not think we are better than other people. Remind us that whatever abilities we have are a gift from you and that you are the one who deserves the praise! You are the great one! Amen.