(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Provide a dry-erase board and markers. Provide two opaque containers filled with different liquids
Write two column headings on the board:
INWARD CHANGE OF HEART
OUTWARD EVIDENCE OF FAITH
Invite learners to read through Matthew 3-10 again and assign each beatitude to the proper category. (Verses 3-6 focus on the condition of our hearts. Verses 7-10 focus on our attitudes and actions.) Discuss: How are our actions controlled by our heart? Is it possible to act right even when the heart is not right? Can a person sustain the act indefinitely? (The heart ultimately controls our actions. While people may act right for a period of time, they cannot maintain that act forever.) Demonstrate this truth by pouring some of the contents from each opaque container. As you pour water from the first container, observe that only water will pour forth because that is what is contained inside. As you pour coffee from the second container, remind learners that only coffee will pour from this container. Discuss: Why is it important that our actions reveal hearts changed by God? What happens when we claim to be God’s disciple, but fail to reflect His grace in our lives? (This hypocrisy – saying we are disciples but not acting like disciples – presents an unclear message to others. Many people claim to reject Christ because His followers are hypocrites.) Encourage learners to recognize the condition of their heart and to identify actions they need to change so they more accurately reflect Christ to a watching world.