Year A. 4th Term. Lesson 2. The Bible says...magic says

Scripture: for teacher background:  Ephesians 5:11 Leviticus 19:26 1 Sam 15:23;2 Cor 11:14; Ephesians 6:11,12,18 Acts 16:16-18; Acts 19:18-20; 2 Cor 10:4; 2 Thess 2:3-12; 1 Tim 4:1; Isaiah 5:20

This lesson needs to be adapted according to the age group of the children. A lot is covered in this lesson to make us as teachers more aware. We need to decide how much to explain to the children.

Making contact:

Get someone to do a short magic trick for the children – something that you can show the children afterwards what the trick was. Ask them if it really was magic or a trick. It was a trick. 

Tell them that these tricks are fine but today we are going to learn that there is another kind of magic that is dangerous and that the Bible says we mustn’t touch.

Do you ever say “Good luck” when someone is going to write a test or run a race. Why do we do that? We Christians do not believe in luck.

 Exploration:

Long ago, there was a king called Saul. He started off as a good king and one of the things that he did was to banish all witchcraft in Israel. 

He knew that it was evil and he obeyed God and cleansed the whole land. 

But later in his life he started disobeying God and things were going from bad to worse and he wanted the help of a witch. 

What a bad mistake to make. He could have prayed, but no – he disguised himself and traveled to another place called Endor where he was told there was a witch, because there were no witches in his own country and he asked her to consult a spirit for him.

In the New Testament, Jesus cast out demons and so did His disciples. There was once a girl following Paul and Silas around and shouting. Paul eventually turned around and cast the demon out. Her owner was so angry because he couldn't use this girl and her bad powers any more for fortune telling, so he and his friends caused a riot and Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown in jail. But there was an earthquake and all the prison doors flew open. The jailer almost killed himself but Paul and Silas prayed with him and he accepted Jesus Christ and became a Christian. (Acts 16)  

So in the Bible it warns us never to do these occult things and today we want to warn you about the dangers of this.

Don’t become superstitious about black cats, walking under ladders, Friday the 13^th, opening an umbrella in the house or breaking a mirror. These are things that don’t worry Christians. 

We have faith in Jesus Christ and these things of superstition must not come into our lives. 

Stand firm. Don’t throw coins in a well and wish. 

We have the gift of prayer. Playing luck games is rather insulting to God.

The best way to keep away from this is not to “Dabble” with anything in the world of magic. 

The Bible says we must have nothing to do with it, because, yes, there is a certain amount of power in it, but not enough to touch Christians. 

The power of Jesus is MUCH, MUCH more. So this lesson is just a warning that you don’t go off the path and play” with Satan’s toys because they might bite you!

Don’t pat strange dogs and don’t go near occult or magic things.

Don’t follow King Saul’ example.

There are many films about witchcraft that all make it sound so exciting and thrilling. There are T.V. programmes like “Charmed”, “Sabrina”, “The grim adventures of Billy and Mandy, and “South Park.”  There are scary movies like “Chucky”, “Exorcist” “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”, “White Noise”, “Halloween”, and many others. (You will need to name films and programmes appropriate to your children.)

It is not a good idea to open up your life to these dark things.

Be careful of some cartoons that demonstrate satanic rituals. Just because it is in cartoon style doesn’t make it suitable for children or adults. 

Choose your cartoons carefully.

There are toys and cards that introduce witchcraft to children in a way that looks fun but it is dangerous and you mustn’t even begin. One example is Pokemon. (This is short for “pocket monster”) 

For example, one of the creatures “Gengar” has the power to curse Pokemon players.

This game and others like it teaches children to be clairvoyant, summon spirits, practice mind control and dabble in other magical art. All forbidden in the Bible!

In Tokyo there was an occurrence when 700 school children vomited and had convulsions while watching a Pokemon cartoon on T.V. This game is an entry-level occult game.

There are also many books about witchcraft – supposed to be exciting children’s stories – like Harry Potter. But Harry Potter’s books never point to Jesus, but only teach that it is clever to do witchcraft, to look to crystal balls, to join a coven, to cast spells, to fly on broomsticks, to turn yourself into an object and to talk to spirits of the dead.

It presents occult practices as normal and good, when they are evil and dangerous. What begins as fantasy leads to real spells and potions. Many children have become interested in Wicca (being a witch) because of Harry Potter.

God specifically forbids us to do all these things in the Bible because they are dangerous and destructive.

(Read this passage to the children Deut 18:9-12)

Some people say it isn’t bad because the good magic is fighting the bad people. There are only two powers in this world – good and evil, there is no in between. 

There is only God and the devil. 

God is much, much more powerful than the devil therefore evil can never beat good. 

Jesus proved this by rising from the dead. He overcame the devil and all his evil angels. Why then must we even think about playing with the devil’s evil tricks that might seem like good magic? 

Black magic and white magic all come from one source – the devil.

Application

All magic is evil and we must leave it alone. They are calling on a bad source of power. They are not calling on the name of Jesus.

Have nothing to do with anything occult. 

Don’t play “glassy, glassy” (an Ouija board).

 Don’t go to fortunetellers or have your palm read, or go to someone who throws bones or gives patients strange potions to drink. 

Don’t do yoga or have anything to do with automatic writing, voodoo or telepathy.

 Don’t keep charms and dream catching feathers. 

Be careful of ornaments form the east that might have been used during magic. 

Don’t have tattoos put on your body.

 (“Do not cut your bodies or put tattoo marks on your self. I am the Lord.” Lev 19:28) 

There is evil power in these things and you are opening the door in your life to spiritual interference / evil.

How do you test it? The only good power is the power of the name of Jesus. If you sense there is another power, ask God to protect you using the power of the name and the blood of Jesus. 

But don’t go asking for trouble. Rather don’t go to these places, do these things, read these books or watch these T.V. series and films.

Magic is about power and because Satan only hates everyone, he will destroy. He doesn’t care. Jesus loves you and cares so much for you. Rather follow Jesus and keep away from any other power.

Challenge to Mission

 Many of your friends may not know the dangers of these evil things – you might be the only voice that warns them.

Always ask the question “Who or what is the power behind this thing? Is it Jesus?– then it’s okay, if it isn’t Jesus then leave it alone.

If people tell you that you are silly saying this, it is called the MATRIX. They dark in them is defending the dark games of the devil. 

Warn them and walk away if they will not listen. 

Consolidation

 There is a worksheet showing the comparison between what the Bible says and what the magic books and films say. There is a warning not to go that way, as they are dark windows and doors.

Memory Verse

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. Instead, bring them out into the light.” Ephesians 5:11