The Trash Bag | Skit

This is a skit that can help you teach your class about how we need to give our burden, our sin, to God and don’t hold back ANYTHING!

Needed:

• A small trash bag filled with crumpled paper or lightweight trash (safe and clean items)
• A clean, empty bag or box labeled “Jesus”
• Optional: a small bin or container labeled “Sea of Forgetfulness”

This powerful lesson helps children visualize what it means to truly give their sins to Jesus—and not take them back again. Begin by explaining that sometimes, even after we give our hearts to God, we still carry around things that don’t belong there. These might be bad attitudes, unkind words, fear, guilt, or mistakes we haven’t really let go of. As you talk, hold up the trash bag and explain that this represents sin and all the things that weigh us down.

You can dramatize this by acting out a conversation similar to the story. Pretend that Jesus has come to take away your trash, but you’re embarrassed for Him to see it. Tell the children that we often feel the same way—ashamed or afraid to give everything to God because we think it’s too ugly, too heavy, or too much. But Jesus already knows what’s in our hearts, and He still wants to take it all.

Hold out the bag and explain that Jesus doesn’t want us to clean it up before we come to Him. He wants us to hand it over just as it is. Set the bag down in front of the “Jesus” box or container, and talk about how amazing it feels to finally let go of the weight of sin. You can even walk a few steps without the bag to demonstrate how much lighter and freer you feel.

Then, pick the bag back up and explain that this is what many people do—they start to feel guilty, or they think they should hold onto one small thing as a reminder of what they’ve done wrong. Maybe they tell themselves, “I’ll just keep this one piece,” or “I’ll carry this guilt so I don’t forget.” But that’s not what Jesus wants. When we try to keep even one small piece of sin, it grows again until we find ourselves right back where we started—heavy, tired, and burdened.

Now show the children what Jesus does instead. Move the trash bag into the “Sea of Forgetfulness” container and explain that when Jesus forgives us, He doesn’t hold our sins against us anymore. He throws them away forever. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! We don’t need to dig them back up or remind ourselves about them. Jesus doesn’t. He forgives completely and gives us a brand-new start every time we come to Him.

End by reminding the class that no matter how many times we fail, God’s forgiveness is always available. He never gives up on us. When we give Him all our “trash”—every mistake, bad attitude, and sin—He takes it, removes it completely, and replaces it with peace, joy, and freedom. Encourage the children to give everything to Jesus and to remember that once He takes it, it’s gone for good.

*Tags: Apology, don’t take it back, give your burdens to God, repent, repentance, sin, sorry, trash, trash bag