A common approach to teaching about idolatry is to include “lists” of negative influences, time- wasters, or possessions that could be considered modern idols. However, it is often more productive to teach young people how to elevate the role of Jesus Christ in their lives rather than root out specific items that may or may not be at the heart of the matter in the first place. It can be helpful to use an object lesson to show how we fill the limited space in our lives with either God-honoring content or God-diminishing content.

By using a container and an inflated balloon, we can show students how filling our lives with more of Jesus will result in less space for superficial pursuits.

Imagine that this container represents your life as a teenager. Each day we have the opportunity to fill it with all kinds of priorities. Now imagine that this balloon is our devotion to Jesus. If I blow it up just a little bit and place it in the box, I still have a lot of room leftover. (Blow up the balloon part way and place it into the container to illustrate.) But if I blow this up even more, the room for other things begins to shrink. It starts to become the most significant item in this container. (Repeat by inflating the balloon to its full size).

Instruct your students to partner up and think of a specific thing they can do to elevate the significance of Jesus Christ in their lives (these could be things like attending a small group Bible study, adding a Bible app to their smartphone, starting the day with private prayer, or finding a prayer partner at school). They should write this down on both slips of paper they received and place ONE in the container.

When all the partners have added a piece of paper, take them out one-by-one and read them to the group. Choose another leader or a student to blow up another balloon using one breath every time an example is read to the class.

When you finish, discuss these questions together.

• Why is it better to think in terms of filling our life with Jesus rather than getting rid of “bad” influences? (Nurturing a relationship with God will always result in a more obedient life. Simply getting rid of the “don’ts” doesn’t necessarily result in a closer walk with Him; it just means we’re good at following the rules.)

• Does this mean we don’t need to think about sin? (Of course not! We still must be vigilant against behaviors that dishonor God.)

• Can you tell when your life gets too cluttered with idols? What are some of the signs? (lack of interest in God’s people, laziness, an undisciplined life, negativity, bitterness toward others, obsession with superficial things, etc.)  

When finished with the dialogue, hand out another balloon to each student. Have them roll up their extra printed slip of paper and put it inside of their uninflated balloon. Don’t blow this up until you get home. When you do, put it in a place that will remind you what you wrote on the slip inside—then commit to elevating the significance of Jesus Christ in your life in that way this week.

When you are finished, pray together for the wisdom and diligence to avoid idols and keep God at the center of your lives.