Race Car Object Lessons

Kids love their toys and remote-controlled race cars continue to be a kid favorite. Since I have kids of my own, I always have a toy box full of object lesson inspiration, including a few remote-controlled cars, robots and dinosaurs. I grabbed a few remote-controlled cars and used them in these three different object lessons. (One important note — remember the batteries. It’s a bit embarrassing to stand before a class of kids with no power for your toy!)
1. Racing to the finish line: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV) Set up a race track on a table or a wide floor area. If you don’t have a track, use duct tape to create your race track. Assign one end of the track as the start and one at the finish line. Explain to kids that like running this remote-controlled car, you have to practice to get the best results. If you don’t know how to operate the controls or turn on the power, how can you run a race and win? Reading the bible is learning how to operate the controls, praying is like turning on the power. When you do both regularly, you will become a faster racer!
2. Power problems: God gives POWER and strength to his people.” (Psalm 68:34-35) Before the race, take out the batteries without the kids seeing you. Say to the kids, “Look kids! We’ve got a race car. Let’s run this thing. Uh-oh, it looks like we have a problem. I wonder what could be the problem?” Let kids provide some suggestions. If they don’t suggest it, you suggest changing the batteries. Open the battery door and show the kids that the batteries are missing. Explain to kids that without spiritual batteries, we won’t run right either. We need the Holy Spirit to power us up!
3. Beating the obstacles: Place some obstacles on your race track like a doll or some blocks. For this object lesson, I didn’t have a specific verse in mind but a concept. I told kids, “Sometimes we make a goal like I want to pray everyday, but then obstacles happen. Things get in our way, like these obstacles on this race track. See? I can’t drive over the obstacles. What should I do?” Let kids suggest, “Go around!” Pray with kids about overcoming their obstacles, then remove the items from the track. Have fun!
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