Inappropriate Wreaths

Here’s a fun Christmas lesson for your youth ministry – Inappropriate Wreaths!

Big Idea: Jesus is concerned with what’s going on inside you, not how you look or how great you are (Matthew 23:27).

Preparation

• If you’re short on time or money, use pictures of wreaths in a slideshow.
• Place a normal wreath on a table.
• Find a wreath made of a different material (like ornaments or twigs) and keep it out of sight.
• Make one or two “inappropriate wreaths” using things that don’t belong on a wreath (bacon, doll heads, toilet paper rolls). Glue them to cardboard rings and keep them hidden.
• Make a sign that says “IT LOOKS LIKE A WREATH BUT IT’S NOT RIGHT.”

Teach

• Show the normal wreath. Ask what it is and what makes something a wreath.
• Show the different (or inappropriate) wreaths. Ask if it still counts as a wreath.
• Explain that a wreath is simply something arranged in a circle, so both qualify.
• Ask what’s wrong with them. They’re the right shape, so why aren’t they right?
• Hold up the sign: “IT LOOKS LIKE A WREATH BUT IT’S NOT RIGHT.”

Say: At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus coming to Earth. As He grew up, He taught that He came to save us and change us from the inside out.

Jesus cares more about what we’re made of than how we look on the outside.

Read Matthew 23:27

• Jesus said the religious leaders looked good outwardly but were filled with the wrong things on the inside.
• Explain that this is the same problem the “inappropriate wreaths” have.
• Right shape. Wrong material.

Personal Challenge

• Hold up the sign again: “IT LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTIAN BUT IT’S NOT RIGHT.”
• Say (with grace & love, not judgement) that you hope Jesus never looks at your life that way.
• Challenge students to look deeper this Christmas. It’s not enough to look the part or do the right things. Jesus wants to shape who we are at the core.

Wrap Up

• Tell students that every time they see a wreath this Christmas, think about what it’s made of.
• And remember that Jesus cares about what we are made of too.

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

END OF THE YEAR BUNDLE – This new & improved bundle is back, but only available for a limited time! Save 87% on $749 worth of youth ministry lessons and games.