This is the place where each month, I will either teach a new trick, or actually perform one for/on YOU! These will most likely not be EARTH-SHATTERING tricks, but I think you will agree that the lessons they are designed to teach are extremely valuable, and very practical for children's workers!

This page is dedicated to anyone who has ever had to teach children, and wondered, "what am I going to speak on this Sunday??". All materials are commonly available, and should cost little or nothing to gather up and use.

Effect: An arrow that is clearly pointing one way is seen to instantly, and visibly change direction.

Materials Needed: A sign depicting HEAVEN, a sign depicting HELL, a picture of a large arrow, a clear water glass, pitcher of water.

Note: The glass should be made of glass, and not plastic. It may still work with plastic, but we're looking for the smoothest, clearest finish, as we will be looking through the glass to see the arrow.

Preparation:

Set the signs, arrow, water and empty glass as depicted in figure 1

Presentation:

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... as Christians, we believe that there is an ultimate goal, or direction for our lives. It is an eternity spent in Heaven, with our Lord. However, as you will see by looking at our display, there is a built-in problem with our being able to reach that goal. You see, we all have sin in our lives (Rom 3:23), and that sin prevents us from heading in a direction toward Heaven, and actually steers us toward Hell!

Today, we are going to perform a demonstration of what happens to a person's life, the moment he or she asks Jesus to be their Lord. I'll place this clear glass (in the case of the example, a jar) in front of the arrow, and you can still clearly (pun intended) see that the arrow points toward the sign marked HELL.

Our lives are to be as vessels, willing and able to hold whatever we put into them. Looking at our example (figure 2), it would appear that no matter how "clean and clear" our lives appear to be... without the Lord Jesus, we are not only empty inside, but we are headed for an eternity in Hell, apart from Christ.

Let's suggest, just for a moment, however... that the water in this glass (hold up glass of water) represents the Word of God. We know from John chapter 1, verse 1 that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God! In other words, when we refer to the Word, we are also referencing Jesus Christ Himself. And let's take a look at what happens when we allow the Word, (or Jesus) to come into our lives by asking Him to forgive our sins, and change our eternal destination... (Pour the glass of water into the first glass (jar), and watch as before your very eyes, the direction of the arrow appears to change, to point toward HEAVEN! (figure 3)

Look at that!! What this little illusion is showing us is a truth that can change our very lives for an eternity! If we would only ask the Lord to forgive us of our sins, He is faithful and just to do just that! And the change in our eternal destination is an instant thing! When Christ is in us, and we are in Him, we are on our way to Heaven... and that is a truth worth shouting about!

Note: You can use this in any number of ways. You might consider putting some red food coloring in your pitcher of water, and speaking of the change that takes place in our lives when we acknowledge the sacrifice of Jesus' shed blood. The signs can be changed to accommodate any message you want, and might be very useful in a drug prevention assembly!

Additional Note: This little illusion is, as many of you may have already guessed, not an illusion at all. Yes, it is an illusion for the eyes... but it is also a scientific principle in action - that of "refraction". Refraction is what happens when light is "bent" through a lens of some sort... and just such a lens is created when we add the water to the clear glass. Have fun with this... not only can you show the audience a nifty little science lesson, but you can share the truth that is capable of changing their lives for an eternity!

How can one be a Christian, and also an illusionist?
The answer may be found by clicking: What is Gospel Magic?

Back to Eric's Main Ministry Page