Baking Soda Object Lessons on Anger & Self-Control (James 3:2-8) Message for Kids

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Baking Soda Object Lessons about Anger & Self-Control
When looking for Bible object lessons, I often migrate to the pantry and fridge. Most of these items are inexpensive and easy to purchase if you need them on the fly. Baking soda has many great properties, making it the perfect item for a children’s ministry object lesson. Put one of these two baking soda lessons to use your church! They are safe but may be messy so prepare the demonstration area.
Object Lesson About Self-Control
You will need the following supplies to demonstrate this object lesson:

  • A clear drinking glass
  • Liquid dishwashing detergent
  • 2 tbsp of baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Food coloring
  • Baking pan

Say: Men and women have trained wild animals like elephants, tigers and even lions but it is much more difficult to tame a part of your body—the tongue! Everyone gets angry but some of don’t have much self-control when we have these strong feelings. It’s easy to allow anger to grow and then you blurt out something you regret later. According to James 3:2-8, we must not sin when we feel angry. Let me show you what I mean.
Demonstrate: Place the baking pan on the table to catch the overflowing experiment. Place the glass in the center of the pan and fill it nearly full with warm/hot water. If you like, drip two drops of food coloring in the water. Now add three to four drops of liquid detergent. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Here comes the fun part—pour in the vinegar! You’ll see it bubble up!
Say: We are like the water. The baking soda is like our anger. The vinegar is our self control. If we don’t get self-control working properly, it will cause us to do the wrong thing. God’s plan is better; stop, pray and walk away!
You might also enjoy our game about self-control and some more self-control object lessons. Younger kids will enjoy this free coloring page about self-control.
The Shiny Coin
Here’s what you need:

  • Dirty silver quarters or half-dollars
  • Baking soda
  • Cup of water
  • Micofiber cloth

Say: The Bible says when we are away from God we are like a lost coin. (Luke 15: 8-10) God is always looking for us. When he finds us, He will clean us up and make us righteous. Don’t you want God to clean you up? Let me show you what I mean.
Demonstrate: Spread the dirty coins on the microfiber cloth. Show the kids how dirty they are. (If you can’t find dirty coins, dirty them yourself with a little mud or chocolate pudding.) Dip your fingers in some water then take a pinch of baking soda. Rub it on the surface of the coin to remove the dirt. Explain to kids that God’s Spirit and His Word are like the baking soda—they clean us up! The dirt is sin. Keep shining up the coins using water and baking soda until half the coins are clean. Ask the kids which coins they want to be!
Don’t miss our video demonstration the making pennies clean object lesson.

2 thoughts on “Baking Soda Object Lessons on Anger & Self-Control (James 3:2-8) Message for Kids”

  1. Thank You for your wonderful lessons! Our children’s bible study group trying a little something different due the absents of one of our teachers. We are having a movie night and the movie is titled Juniors Giant’s, Anger, a modern David and Goliath. After the movie I will start a q & a conversation using the baking soda object lesson. How fun is that! I know that my students will receive God’s word and put into practice what they learn.
    Blessings to you.

  2. I did the baking soda lesson about controlling our tongue today in sunday school and it was a big hit with the kids. I loved it too. I plan on using it at school where i work as well for a lesson on character development.

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