Especially for Older Students: Impossible Holiness

(7–10 minutes, easy set up)
Students will discuss the phrase “Nobody’s perfect.”

(7–10 minutes, easy set up)
Provide paper, pens, dry erase board, and dry erase marker.

On the dry erase board, write the following statement: “Nobody’s perfect.”Then divide students into two large teams. Distribute paper and pens to each team. Assign one team to argue the position that this statement is used as an excuse for people to make mistakes. Assign the second team to argue the position that this statement helps people to deal with their reality of imperfection. Instruct each team to develop a list of reasons to support their respective position.

After three minutes, call on the first team to share one reason to support their position. Then call on the second team to cite one of the reasons that they listed. Continue the process for a few minutes.

After three or four minutes, ask: Based on the discussion today, how many of you believe that humans aren’t perfect? Allow students to respond. Then ask: How many believe that humans don’t want to be perfect? Allow students to respond again. Then say: God is completely perfect and holy. As Christians, we are called to live perfectly holy lives. Today’s lesson will give us the opportunity to explore how we can live holy as God as commanded.