Goal: This lesson helps to prove that things are not always what they seem. It has been used while doing the story of; God/Samuel choosing David (Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart); Esther (a woman and a Jew, chosen to save the Jewish people); judging each other; friendship; etc…

Age group: Grades 1-6

Group size: any number

Prep time: about 7 min. before any kids come

Duration: 10 min depending on how kids respond and act

Supplies needed:

- a piece of Bakers’ unsweetened chocolate (#1)

- a glass of milk with cocoa powder mixed well (#2) (mix cocoa powder in a little milk then microwave it to warm so powder mixes then add to cold milk)

- a glass of well-salted water (#3)

- a blob of white icing (#4)

- just for show: a bottle of water, chocolate powder can, chocolate bar, tub of margarine

- a garbage can (nearby)

- some cookies to ‘wash the taste’

Directions:

Cover the first four items with a napkin so kids don’t see what’s under them. Have them labeled from 1-4. Have paper labeled from 1-4. Ask for 4 volunteers. You can decide to tell them or not that they will be tasting something. They will each pick a number and have to stand behind their item. Then take off the napkins so they see what they will be either drinking or eating.

(Let them know beforehand that they don’t need to finish it all.)

You will see that the kids who get the chocolate items are quite excited, the water one isn’t too unhappy, but the icing one may make some fuss thinking that he/she must eat margarine!

Remember to let them know just to try it…

Reflection: