Practical Lesson: Golf Balls With Purpose

This is an object lesson using a golf ball to share the gospel and teach children that if you really love God, you will show his love to others. The Bible verse used to reinforce the teaching is 1 John 4:7-11.

Lesson:

(Show the golf ball.) What was this ball made for? (Getting hit by golf clubs and thrown into a hole.) You and I, too, were created for a purpose, and that purpose is to come to know and love God in a special way.

This ball did not come about by accident. A lot of study and work went into making this ball to fly as far as possible. The core material (which you can’t see) was designed to be the right size, shape, and weight so it can be hit over long distances. Some are also designed to give the ball more spin to give a good golfer more control. The material for the cover also had to be designed to perfection. It has to be soft enough so that there is less friction as the ball moves through the air and strong enough to take hits from golf clubs. Even the number, size and shape of the dimples in the ball have been thoroughly studied. They even have a specific purpose.

You and I didn’t come about by accident either. In Genesis 1, God’s Word makes it clear that he created us. He didn’t make us just to do something; he had a reason. He wants you and me to get to know him in a special way and learn to truly love him.

There is no waste material in a golf ball. Every part has a plan and a purpose, even the parts you can’t see. Hours and hours of study and work have gone into the making of this ball, all with a basic purpose; that the golfer can hit the ball as far as possible without it breaking. You and I were also created for a purpose, to know God in a special way and learn to love him. You begin to fulfill that purpose when you believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior from sin. (Share the gospel message.)

Once you have believed in Jesus, that is just the beginning. To learn to love God, you have to know him. The way to do this is to spend time each day praying, reading, and studying the Bible and letting him be a part of his daily life. In 1 John 4, God tells us that we should love one another because love comes from God. Since he loves us, we must transmit that love to others. When he shows his love to others; your love for him will continue to grow. If you truly love God, you will show his love to others.