You Can’t Do That!

By Timothy Brown

Teaching Objective: God wants you to believe that He can do anything.
Object:  A blank 3x5 card, pair of scissors
Scripture: Ephesians 3:20
Effect: A 3x5 card is folded in half lengthwise and cuts are made on two sides of the fold. When unfolded, it creates a paper band large enough to fit over your head.

Directions:Children's Ministry Object Lesson Diagram
  1. Take the card and fold it in half lengthwise. Make a series of 10-12 cuts along the folded edge as in the top figure to the right. (Click on the image for a larger picture.) Cut to within a half inch of the edge.
  2. On the other side, make a series of cuts in between the original cuts—again make the cut to within one-half inch of the edge as in the second figure.
  3. Carefully trim the folded edge in between the two outside edge cuts—third figure. It should finish up like the fourth figure.
  4. Carefully unfold the card and spread it out.

Lesson: 
  1. Pick up a 3x5 card. How many of you think I can cut a hole in this card big enough to put my head through? Sound impossible? Well, let’s take a look. 
  2. Fold the card and make the needed cuts. As you make the cuts, review or teach God’s attribute of omnipotence. Talk about how powerful God is.
  3. Finish the cuts and carefully unfold the card and slip it over your head.
  4. Most of you thought there was no way I could cut a hole in this card big enough to put my head through, but I did. You got to see it with your own eyes. This is a simple little trick to help you understand something about God—He is big enough and powerful enough to do unbelievable things.
  5. If you have received Jesus as your Savior from sin, God wants you to believe that He can do anything. He says in Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” 
  6. How big can you think? No matter how big you can think; God can do more than that—not a little more or even a lot more. He can do exceedingly abundantly more than the biggest thing you can imagine. 
  7. According to the end of the verse, God’s power is available to help you in your everyday life.