One of several lessons about describing a Christian comes to mind when I think of all the costumes and disguises we see on display for Halloween. This one is usually more favored with primary age children because they know the character: Meet Mr. Potato Head, Christian Extraordinaire.
If you have one of those plastic accessory toys (they are still available new after all these years) you can create a memorable object lesson. Start with a blank head (this refers to the toy). Show the perfect image advertised on the box, showing what a perfectly assembled Mr. Potato Head looks like. Now ask the children what Mr. Potato Head will look like if he has his ears tuned to the world and not to the Word of God. As they give their answers, place the ears on backwards or upside down. Now ask about what kind of talk the Christian is commanded to speak. If Mr. Potato head wants to sit with his cool friends at lunch and talk disrespectfully about their teacher or their parents, what kind of mouth would he have? Place the mouth on the back of his head, or in a funny position. Complete the lesson with the nose, eyebrows and other related ways the Christian can get off track.
Present Mr. Distorted Potato Head to the class and ask them, “Is this the way Mr. Potato Head is supposed to look?” After listening to their answers, ask them if others see the Christian God wants them to see when they look at you. Is your testimony obscured by ears that are twisted to listen to things you know you shouldn’t? Is the conversation from your mouth always straight and true? Do your eyes keep themselves pure? If you aren’t careful, people you hope to influence by your Christian testimony will see that distorted image instead of the advertised picture on the box.
For discussion: what are some of the sounds or conversations our ears should not listen to? How can we keep our tongues (mouths/conversation) pleasing to the Lord?