Object Lesson: The traits of physical, mental and spiritual growth.
Today’s lesson for use in youth ministries, home devotionals or family home evening is on: The traits of physical, mental and spiritual growth.
When we are conceived, we are at the beginning of our lives. Our physical size is not only an indication of our infancy of body but the beginning of growth for our minds and spirit. Through the years our bodies grow as we nurtured by our parents. We learn to walk and talk in imitation of those around us. Our minds learn things from others in our lives and their instruction. Our spirits already have a relationship with God as we are his children. He is our Heavenly Father. Our spiritual decision can be influenced by the Holy Spirit to prompt our actions. We gain additional wisdom and insights through family and teachers about God, his love, his scriptures and commandments.
Items needed for this object lesson:
Different sizes of clothes from Toddler to big adults including shoes and socks.
Put all the clothes in a big pile and mix them up. Now have every student or family member grab a shoe, piece of clothing and sock. Have them try to put on their item on top of their current clothes. It’s not likely that the clothes will fit. A father or adult may have the pants of a two year old. A boy might have gotten his sister’s dress. A toddler may have gotten a size twelve shoe. Have a fun time trying to put on some object that does not fit your body type.
When we start life we have the smallest sized clothes that fit our youthful bodies. As we advance from child to teen our clothes are altered again to match body type and maybe style. From teen to adult, our clothes might be influence by our occupation. Accessories such as buttons, shoe laces and belts enable clothes to fit more security to our body types.
We began learning. As toddlers we learn how to walk and talk. At a certain age we start school where we learn how to read and write. Our minds and intellect continue to grow as we move from reading and writing to math, history and social studies. We learn how to interact with one another. After leaving school we may pursue higher education to specialize in a certain area of knowledge or we might be trained to work in a certain occupation. We can continue to learn by reading and studying throughout our lives.
God is interested in our spiritual progression. He has given us leaders, disciples and prophets, to represent him throughout the centuries. Moses, Isaiah and Norah are some of the most well-known. The scriptures depict the words of prophets. We have commandments to help us make good decisions. Prayer, scriptures study, living a righteous life as influenced by the Holy Spirit can aid us in our spiritual growth. Seek out the words of the prophets and his modern day disciples to build our spiritual progression.
Our body, minds and spirit are in continual flux. The three need constant attention. If we have exercised the body we may have longer endurance for certain tasks. The same thing might be accomplished with us studying something so intensely that we might become an authority on a certain subject. Our efforts to constantly seek God’s will, often enable us to feel prompting to act on his behalf in an act of compassion or to get a personal answer to prayer.
And just like the bodies need clothes to match a particular moment of growth so we should concentrate how we nurture our minds and spirits. Life is in constant motion. If we must move, then let’s move forward rather than backwards in a continuing effort to grow a healthy intellect and spirit.
