God Protects (Water Surface Tension)

Kids often ask for proof that God exists. Well, many adults ask too. The fun of teaching children God's message is bringing in object lessons and fun experiments. In our current series, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" we discussed how God protects us. We used the Bible story "Jesus Calms the Storm" in Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:35-41. We used two water surface tension experiments as visual aides for the "oohs and aahhs" and to amplify that Jesus only spoke a word and the wind and the WATER obeyed. The following are the two experiments....

Anti-Gravity Water
This experiment was taken from : “Anti-Gravity Water” Steve Spangler, http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000075 , Jan. 2010. Steve Spangler has photos and videos to demonstrate the experiment.

Supplies you need a tall water glass, a wet napkin, a pitcher of water and a cookie sheet with sides to catch water spills.

After a long day of teaching many, many people Jesus and the Disciples got into a boat to rest (place cup in the center of the cookie sheet). Jesus rested in the boat and fell asleep (place the wet napkin over the top of the glass, make sure there is a depression like a little bowl in the napkin in the glass). While Jesus slept, a storm suddenly overtook the boat and the wind and the waves were very tall and strong and scary. (pour water into the cup, do not pour more than 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water). The Disciples were scared and woke Jesus up saying, "Jesus, help us!" (stop pouring and slowly pull the napkin tight around the glass) Jesus woke, looked around and with only a word told the wind and the water to, "Stop." (turn the glass upside down and the water will not spill out.) The wind and the water obeyed.

At this point you could ask a volunteer to come up and witness that the water is still in the cup. You can talk about the storms in our lives and if we ask Jesus, pray to God, He will help us. Turn the glass back over, remove the napkin and then pour the water back into the pitcher.

Anti-Gravity Water Experiment #2
This experiment I have seen on-line, in my son's science class and at a Cub Scout meeting.

Supplies you need include a dessert size party plate, a clear plastic cup and a pitcher of water.

In our lives we have storms spring up on us. (Pour a water into cup about half full.) We forget our homework. We have to take a pop-quiz. Mom won't let me play the Teen Video Game that everybody else is playing. I catch the flu. Etc. (place plate on top of cup, top surface down). What do you do? (With one hand flat on the plate and one hand on the cup, flip the cup and plate over at the same time, the water will not spill) Pray to God, and he will answer you. Just like the Disciples cried to Jesus. (balance on bottom hand and remove top hand). And Jesus answered their cries with a simple word, God will give you peace and comfort. He may not bless you with a T-Video Game, but He will answer you. He may inspire your heart to study or read or get involved in a sports activity or community event or something else that will fill your time and your heart with joy. (place hand back on cup and remove hand from the bottom, water will not spill out). BIG OR SMALL, GOD ANSWERS THEM ALL. God will answer your prayers. God will protect you. God will heal you.

God protects. Ask and He will answer. Have a Blessed Day.