Object Lesson: Two Brooms, Two Masters – Who Will You Serve?

Lesson Topic: Serving God, Making Right Choices, Honesty, and Putting God First

Main Point: We cannot serve two masters who demand opposite things from us. Jesus taught that we must put God first rather than allowing money, rewards, or personal desires to control our decisions.

Scripture: Matthew 6:24: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Lesson Overview

What happens when two people give completely opposite instructions at the same time? This simple, humorous object lesson uses two brooms, some scattered paper, and a confused volunteer to demonstrate why Jesus said we cannot serve two masters.

During the activity, one leader will instruct a volunteer to sweep paper scraps in one direction while another leader insists that the paper must go in the opposite direction. As the volunteer tries to satisfy both leaders, the children will quickly recognize that the instructions are impossible to follow simultaneously.

This memorable illustration introduces Matthew 6:24, where Jesus teaches that we cannot serve both God and money. Children will learn that although money and possessions are not necessarily wrong, they must never become more important than obeying God.

The activity also provides an opportunity to discuss honesty, temptation, and choosing to do what is right even when doing something wrong might bring an immediate reward.

Supplies Needed

• Two brooms
• Small pieces of scrap paper
• Masking tape or two signs to mark opposite collection spots
• Open floor space
• One volunteer
• Two adult leaders
• Bible

Preparation

Before class, clear a small area at the front of the room where the demonstration can take place. Make sure there are no obstacles or tripping hazards.

Use masking tape or signs to mark two collection spots on opposite sides of the demonstration area. You might label them “Spot A” and “Spot B.”

Scatter several pieces of scrap paper on the floor between the two spots. Use pieces large enough to sweep easily without creating a mess that will take too long to clean up.

Position one adult leader near each collection spot. Explain the demonstration to both leaders beforehand so they understand their roles.

The first leader will instruct the volunteer to sweep all the paper toward Spot A. The second leader will interrupt and insist that the paper must be swept toward Spot B.

Both leaders should be enthusiastic and persistent, but the exchange should remain playful rather than intimidating. The volunteer should understand that this is a demonstration and should never feel embarrassed or pressured.

Teacher Tip: For added humor, allow both leaders to become increasingly dramatic as they repeat their instructions. However, keep the demonstration brief so the children understand the point without the activity becoming confusing or repetitive.

How to Teach the Object Lesson

Step 1: Introduce the Sweeping Challenge

Begin by showing the children the scattered paper on the floor.

Say: “I’ve got a little problem up here. Somebody has made a mess, and I need a volunteer to help me clean it up!”

Invite a child to come forward and hand the volunteer a broom.

Point to Spot A and explain the task.

Leader 1 says: “Your job is very simple. I want you to sweep all these pieces of paper over to this spot. Think you can handle that?”

Allow the volunteer to respond and begin sweeping.

After the volunteer has moved a few pieces of paper, the second leader interrupts.

Leader 2 says: “Whoa, whoa, whoa! What are you doing? That’s completely wrong! All the paper needs to go over HERE!”

Point dramatically toward Spot B.

The volunteer may look confused or begin changing directions.

Leader 1 says: “Hold on! I told you to sweep the paper over HERE! Don’t listen to that! I’m the one who gave you the job!”

Leader 2 says: “No, no, no! I’m telling you that the paper belongs over HERE! You need to listen to ME!”

Allow the volunteer to attempt to follow the conflicting instructions for a few moments.

Step 2: Two Leaders, Two Different Directions

Continue the demonstration as both leaders repeat their opposing instructions.

Leader 1 says: “Sweep it this way!”

Leader 2 says: “No! Sweep it THAT way!”

Leader 1 says: “You’re supposed to be listening to ME!”

Leader 2 says: “But I’m telling you to do the exact opposite!”

If desired, have the second leader pick up the other broom and demonstrate sweeping toward Spot B while the first leader demonstrates sweeping toward Spot A. Keep the brooms separated and avoid having the leaders compete physically over the paper.

Pause the activity and ask the volunteer: “What’s the problem? Why aren’t you getting the job finished?”

Allow the volunteer to explain that the two leaders are giving different instructions.

Ask the class: “Can our volunteer sweep all the paper into both spots at the same time?”

Allow the children to respond.

Say: “That’s exactly right! These two leaders are giving opposite instructions. Our volunteer can’t completely obey both of them because they want two different things!”

Thank the volunteer but ask them to remain at the front for the next part of the lesson.

Step 3: Jesus Said We Cannot Serve Two Masters

Open your Bible and read Matthew 6:24: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Explain that Jesus was teaching about something much more important than sweeping paper.

In Bible times, a servant was expected to obey the master he served. But what would happen if two masters gave completely opposite commands?

Just like the volunteer in the demonstration, the servant would face a conflict. He couldn’t fully obey both masters when they demanded different things.

Explain that Jesus specifically said we cannot serve both God and mammon, which refers to money or riches.

Say: “Jesus wasn’t saying that having money is wrong. We need money to buy food, clothing, and other things. But He was warning us that money can become so important to us that we begin serving it instead of serving God.”

Explain that when someone makes money their master, they may begin allowing the desire for money, possessions, or rewards to determine their decisions.

Instead of asking what God wants them to do, they begin asking what will make them richer, more popular, or more successful.

But when those desires conflict with God’s Word, we have to decide whom we’re going to obey.

Step 4: When Rewards Tempt Us to Do Wrong

Explain that children may not have jobs or large amounts of money, but they can still face situations where the desire for a reward tempts them to make a wrong choice.

Give the children a few examples.

Example 1: Cheating to Win a Prize

Say: “Imagine you’re playing a game, and the winner gets a really cool prize. You realize that you could cheat just a little bit, and nobody would notice. What should you do?”

Allow the children to respond.

Explain that winning a prize might seem exciting, but pleasing God through honesty is far more important.

Example 2: Finding Money That Belongs to Someone Else

Say: “Suppose you find some money on the floor at school, and you know who dropped it. You could keep it and buy yourself something, or you could return it. Which choice would honor God?”

Explain that even when nobody is watching, God wants us to be honest.

Example 3: Lying to Get a Reward

Say: “Imagine your parents promise you a reward for finishing your chores. You haven’t finished, but you know you could tell them you did and still get the reward. What should you do?”

Remind the children that telling the truth and obeying God are more important than receiving a reward.

Explain that these situations illustrate the same principle Jesus was teaching. When our desire for something conflicts with doing what is right, we must choose which one will control our actions.

Step 5: Choose One Master

Return your attention to the volunteer and the scattered paper.

Say: “Our volunteer had a hard time finishing the job because two people were giving opposite instructions. But let’s see what happens when there’s only one clear direction to follow.”

Have the second leader step aside and stop giving instructions.

Leader 1 says: “Now, I want you to sweep all the paper into Spot A. That’s your only instruction.”

Allow the volunteer to finish sweeping the paper into the correct spot.

When the task is completed, thank the volunteer and invite the class to applaud.

Ask: “Was that easier when there was only one person giving instructions?”

Explain that our spiritual lives work the same way. We must decide that God will be first in our lives and that His Word will guide our decisions.

Say: “Sometimes the world will tell us one thing, and God’s Word will tell us something different. We can’t follow both when they disagree. We have to decide that we’re going to obey Jesus!”

Remind the children that putting God first doesn’t mean we will never face difficult decisions. It means we’ve already decided whose instructions matter most.

Bringing the Lesson Home

Point to the two collection spots on the floor.

Say: “Remember how confusing it was when our volunteer tried to follow two different leaders? Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. When something we want conflicts with what God tells us to do, we must choose to obey Him.”

Explain that money, prizes, possessions, and rewards can be enjoyable, but none of them should become more important than our relationship with Jesus.

Encourage the children to think about the choices they make every day. Are they willing to tell the truth even when lying would be easier? Will they do what is right even when nobody is watching? Will they obey God’s Word even when their friends encourage them to do something different?

Remind them that serving God is not simply something we do at church. It is a decision that affects our attitudes, actions, and priorities throughout the week.

We cannot serve two masters. Choose to put Jesus first!