Sin is Heavy But God Can Help | Object Lesson
This is an object lesson that can help you teach your class about how the weight of sin can be difficult to overcome UNLESS you have God on your side!
This is one of the more elaborate and complicated lessons. Be prepared for a lot of give-and-take. It took me several days to put this together, and I encountered several issues. Unfortunately, I did not make a build video, so you will need to figure out some parts on your own. However, it is definitely worth doing, as it is one of the best lessons we have done!
This trick uses a DIY magic trick, but there are some parts you will need to purchase on Amazon. It involves an electromagnet with a remotely controlled activation switch. When the magnet is engaged, the box is impossible to lift. When it is not, anyone can pick it up. Since the magnet merely connects the box to the ladder, it is crucial to have a two-step ladder or step stool. Your volunteer stands on the first rung, and their weight prevents them from picking up the box.
One thing to look out for is to ensure the battery is fully charged. We had one incident where we thought we were charging the battery but ended up draining it instead, and when it was time to do the lesson, it didn’t work. It was a big disappointment.
You will need the following:
- Electromagnet: I purchased mine on Amazon. The first electromagnet I bought had a 130-pound holding force, which sounded like a lot but caused problems. I eventually upgraded to a 600-pound one, which was much better. I recommend going for the heavier duty one.
- Wireless on-off controller set: This allows the power to be delivered to the electromagnet or not.
- 12V battery: Such as the one shown here:
- Small wooden stepladder: In theory, you can use any type of material for the ladder, but since you have to build a small box to hide all of the controls and the battery, I found that wood was far easier. I was surprised by how much they cost, so you can use a step stool instead, such as the one here:
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ladder: Inset the electromagnet into the top of the stepladder or step stool and run the wires below the top step. Create a small box beneath the top step to contain all of your wires, battery, and wireless on-off controller.
- Create the Box: Purchase or create a box into which you can inset the metal plate that connects to your electromagnet.
- Cover the Devices: Cover both the top of the ladder and the bottom of the box to conceal the device. I used black paper on the top of the ladder and painted the bottom of the box. This does reduce the magnet’s strength, which prompted me to get the stronger 600lb magnet later on.
- Use the Remote: Keep the wireless remote in your pocket. Engage the magnet when you do not want the box to be lifted, and disable it when you want it to be easily picked up.
For a demonstration, here is a YouTube video showing the one I created: Explanation – Sin Is Heavy But God Can Help (Light Heavy Box)
Lesson:
This is one of the most impressive and memorable object lessons you can do—but it requires some preparation and practice. The setup uses a hidden electromagnet to make a box feel incredibly heavy or suddenly light, illustrating how sin and life’s problems can weigh us down, and how God gives strength to overcome what we cannot carry alone.
Before class, build the prop carefully. Inset the electromagnet into the top of a small step stool or ladder and run the wires underneath. Secure a small compartment below the top step to hold the battery and wireless remote receiver. The wooden construction makes this much easier to modify.
Attach a metal plate to the underside of the small box. When the box is placed on top of the ladder, the magnet will hold it tightly in place. When the magnet is disengaged, the box can be easily lifted. Cover the surfaces with paper or paint so none of the hardware shows. Keep the wireless remote in your pocket so you can control the magnet discreetly. Always check the battery charge before class—if the magnet loses power, the effect won’t work.
Begin your lesson by inviting a strong volunteer (a confident, older child works best). Set the box on the ladder with the magnet turned off. Ask the child to pick up the box—it should lift easily. Then explain that this box represents a person’s life before sin and problems begin to weigh them down.
Now, begin placing labeled papers into the box—each one representing a problem kids understand. These can include things like “fear,” “mean people,” “school stress,” “money problems,” or “making mistakes.” As you add them, talk about how these burdens pile up in our lives. While doing this, discreetly turn the magnet on using your remote.
Ask the volunteer to try lifting the box again. To their surprise, it won’t budge. Playfully insist they try harder, and let the moment build naturally. Then point out that life can start to feel like this—too heavy to handle—when we try to carry all our problems by ourselves.
Next, bring up another helper. This time, say that before trying again, you’re going to ask for God’s help. Lead the class in a simple prayer, asking God to give strength and help with the problems we can’t fix on our own. As soon as you finish, discreetly turn off the magnet. Invite the second helper to lift the box—it will come up easily!
Explain that nothing magical happened to the box; it’s just that the weight that once held it down is gone. That’s exactly what happens when we give our burdens to God. Problems may not disappear, but He gives us the strength to carry them.
End with this thought: everyone has problems, big or small, but we were never meant to carry them alone. When we pray and trust God, He can lift what feels impossible to bear.
Practice this several times before performing it live. Timing the magnet on and off smoothly is crucial to the effect. When done right, this lesson powerfully demonstrates how sin and worry can weigh us down—but with God’s help, even the heaviest burdens become light.
*Tags: Electromagnet, forgive, forgiveness, light heavy box, repent, repentance, sin is heavy, weight of sin
