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Object Lesson - Nails - Acts 2:23

This Bible Seeker object lesson is designed to help us see God and know Him through connecting His Word with our everyday surroundings.  It's a short & simple Bible lesson that begins with a photo of an everyday object that can remind us of God's truth and His presence throughout our day.

God has placed His identifying marks all over our world and lives to point us to Him!  These simple object lessons are hands-on applicable Bible teaching that help connect God's Word to our everyday lives in a real and personal way.  They may be used for personal or family devotions or to use with small groups for a children's sermon or Sunday school lesson.

"this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death."

The nail in the photo is not a small nail, but about an eight inch carpenter's nail.  It is a nail that was designed to build.  It is probably similar to the type of nail or spike that was used to nail Jesus Christ to the cross.

In the verse above, the font doesn't show it, but the "M" in Man is actually capitalized showing this wasn't just any man...He was God!  And yet for nails to be able to pierce His hands and feet, He was indeed God in flesh. 

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."  John 1:14

Many that looked on that day surely thought those nails were destroying all Jesus came to do on this earth as they caused His lifeblood to flow down that cross to where they stood.  And yet, as in the verse above, this had all been "by the  predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God."  This did NOT take God by surprise!

Just as nails were made by man to build and create, so God used these nails not to destroy, but to build His Kingdom. 


"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."  Colossians 1:15-17

In Him (Jesus) all thing hold together.  Because of the nails...His sacrifice on the Cross...His body, the Church, is held together!

Louie Giglio does a wonderful job of sharing how God in His infinite wisdom and forethought has even "built" this truth into our own flesh - our body - our very DNA.  The video below is about 6 minutes and so worth the time to watch it!  Be amazed by God!

If God can hold the universe together and all that is within it, God can certainly hold our lives together.  We can count on Him; He is faithful and trustworthy!

If this has been a difficult year for you and you feel as though your life is falling apart, turn to Jesus and find hope!  The difficulties in life may hurt and seem like nails destroying...but in God's hands, they can be used to build for GOOD! 

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

So when you see a nail or something held together by nails, let it remind you of the wonderful Truth of this little object lesson - in God's hands, nails are used to build for our good!  He can rebuild our lives from even the remnants left by sin's destruction.  We can trust Jesus; He gave His life so that in Him we may have life - eternal & abundant!


"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."  John 10:10


"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Object Lesson extension Ideas

These hands-on ideas will add an extra dimension to use with children either in a family devotion or home-school setting or in a group setting at church.

Hammer it in

Take turns hammering nails into a block of wood.  As one person reads the verse above, others are to hit the head of their nail with the hammer for every word read.  This is to remind that the nails that killed Jesus did not destroy but were used to build.

Nails & Words

Take some time to talk about how nails and words are similar; both can either hurt & destroy or be used to build.  Write down words & phrases that do each of these.

Look up Ephesians 4:29.  It says our words should build up not destroy.

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."  NASB

"Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."  NLT

Make a Nail Cross

Give each person two 3" to 6" nails and a piece of wire.  Have them join the two nails together with wire to make a cross they can take with them to remind them of the object lesson - of Jesus' sacrifice and how that should cause us to share the Good News with others as God builds His Kingdom and that also we should build others up through encouragement.

Another Bible Object Lesson or Two...Or Thirty!

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