Empty or Full?
An Object Lesson

Materials:

Pitcher of Water
Small Glass of water
Small Empty Glass
Houseplant
Fishbowl and plastic fishie

Theme:

We are to "be being filled" with the Holy Spirit

Scripture:

And do not be drunk with wine, …… but be filled with the Spirit. Eph. 5:18


Explain to the youth that this pitcher of water represents the Holy Spirit. Let's say we spend time in the morning with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to fill us with His wisdom and comfort. When we are "filled" with the spirit, we are "full", just like this glass of water. As we go about our day, we draw on that "fullness" (drink some of the water, water the plant, fill the fishbowl and put the fish in it) as we deal with decisions we make at school, chores at home, brothers and sisters, etc.

Whew! I am almost empty of what the Holy Spirit put in me! I need to be filled again! (Put more water from the pitcher into your glass)

Now suppose I have a friend call me up who has a problem. As I talk with him, I give him some of the wisdom and comfort that the Holy Spirit just gave me. (Pour some water from your glass into the empty glass) I'm almost empty again! Fill me up! (Pour water from the pitcher into the glass again)

As you can see, I need to keep being filled with the Holy Spirit's wisdom, comfort, and teaching. Jesus said that He sent the Holy Spirit to us to be our helper. Being "filled with the Spirit" is an on-going thing. If we get filled just once, we will soon be empty. Spend as much time as you can with the Holy Spirit. Then you will always be "full".