The Will of God — The Little Things That Add Up (Pennies) | Object Lesson

This is an object lesson that can help you teach your class about finding the will of God for your life!

Needed:

• A can or container labeled “Super Secret Stuff”
• A $100 bill (or a realistic play version)
• A handful of pennies (at least 100)

Begin by holding up the can of “Super Secret Stuff.” Tell your class that what’s inside represents something everyone wonders about at some point—the will of God. Many people think the will of God is some big, dramatic moment when the sky opens and a booming voice declares exactly what to do next. Explain that while God can speak in mighty ways, most of the time His will isn’t about one big moment—it’s about the small, faithful choices we make every day.

Hold up the $100 bill. Many people view God’s plan for their life like this bill—valuable, impressive, and instantly recognizable. But then show the pennies. Each penny may not seem worth much on its own, yet when they’re added together, they make the same $100. The lesson here is simple: the will of God is built one small act of obedience at a time.

As you talk, drop the pennies one by one into the can. Each penny represents a small action that pleases God—doing your schoolwork with excellence, cleaning your room when asked, being kind to your siblings, writing a letter to a loved one, reading your Bible daily, or using kind words at school. On their own, these choices may feel small, but together they form something powerful. Each “penny” is another piece of God’s will being worked out in your life.

Encourage the children to see that doing the will of God isn’t just for missionaries or preachers—it’s for everyone, every day. God notices every little act of faithfulness. Nothing escapes His attention. When we obey in the small things, we’re showing Him that He can trust us with bigger things later on.

Finish by holding up the $100 bill again. Remind the class that someday, all those small acts will add up to a great reward. The Bible says that when we get to Heaven, God will give us a crown of glory—not because of one big, dramatic event, but because of a lifetime of small, faithful choices.

Challenge the children to look for “penny-sized” ways to do God’s will this week. Every kind word, every obedient action, and every prayer adds up to something far greater than they can imagine. The will of God isn’t hidden—it’s right in front of us, one small step at a time.

*Tags: Finding God’s will, get busy doing the work of God, God’s will, money, one step at a time, pennies, penny, wait on the Lord