This document describes an object lesson about burdens and finding rest in Jesus. It tells the story of a speaker asking how heavy a glass of water feels. While it may not seem heavy at first, the longer you hold it, the heavier it becomes. In the same way, burdens do not seem heavy at first but become increasingly difficult to carry over time. The lesson encourages putting down burdens periodically and trusting God to provide strength, pointing to Bible verses about casting anxieties on God and finding rest in Him.

1. Youth Object
Lesson: Burdens
and Rest
We need to recognize
the burdens we carry
and let go and place
them in the care of
Jesus.
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A speaker raises a glass of water and
asks the audience “How heavy do
you think this glass of water is?”
His answer: “It depends on how
long you hold it”
• “If I hold it for a minute, it is Ok.”
• “If I hold it for an hour, I will have
an ache in my right arm”
• “If I hold it for a day, you will
have to call an ambulance”

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“It is the exact same weight, but the
longer I hold it, the heavier it
becomes”
If we carry our burdens all the time,
sooner or later, we will not be able to
carry on, the burden becoming
increasingly heavier.
“What you have to do is to put the
glass down, rest for a while holding
it up again.”

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We have to put down the burden
periodically, so that we can
be refreshed and are able to carry
on.
When you return home from
work, put the burden of work
down. Don’t carry it home. You can
pick it up tomorrow. Rest and
relax. Take one day at a time!!!!!

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Take It to the Next Level
Although from a secular source,
the principle behind it is biblical.
That’s why Jesus told us to cast
our burdens on Him, instructed us to
pray Give us our daily bread And even
in Psalms 23 though it is not clearly
stated, the Shepherd leads His
sheep besides green pastures and still
waters day to day. We really ought to
live one day at a time and really rely
on nothing and no one else except on
the Faithful Providence of God. He
will give us the strength to carry
on again.

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Don’t borrow from tomorrow’s
sunshine for it’s skies may turn
to gray. Tomorrow is not
our problem but God’s perfect
plan. Therefore if any of us are
yoked, are burdened, are held
back by problems, don’t
hesitate to put it down and go
to Jesus for rest. He will give us
the strength to carry on again.

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Bible Scripture
• “Cast your cares on the LORD and he
will sustain you; he will never let the
righteous fall.” (Psalm 55:22)
• “Cast all your anxiety on him because
he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
• Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who
are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me, for I am gentle
and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30)

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Optional Object Lesson, Creative learning
Activity, or Sermon for kids (Children’s
Sermon)
Bring in several items of equal
weight. Empty plastic milk jugs filled with
water or empty 1 liter soft drink bottles
work well. Ask for volunteers among the
children or youth to join you in a friendly
competition. Let them pick up the items
and ask them if the item is heavy? You
could also ask them to guess the
weight. Most will say that they are not
really that heavy. Then line the students
up in a line and tell them they must hold
the items straight out from their body at a
right angle or 90 degrees. There will be a
prize for the teen who can hold it there
the longest.

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The teenagers may not have considered
the items heavy, but the longer they
hold them, the heavier the items get. If
you want to add a little discussion to
the process, ask the youth to share
some of the burdens that people carry
in life or share some of the burdens you
have experienced for yourself. Some
examples of burdens could be: a hurt
you needed to forgive, personal failure,
worries, responsibilities, doubts,
struggles, lost dreams, mistakes, a poor
sense of self worth, abuse,
etc. Burdens are those things that tire
us out and that cause us to
worry. Then share the story and talk
about the scripture references.

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Discussion Questions
• How can you know if something is a
burden?
• What are some of the burdens youth
experience?
• We do we often carry our burdens
instead of setting them down? Why
do we hold on to these burdens?
• How can we let go of burdens? What
are some of the ways we can place
these burdens in the care of Jesus?
• What is the benefit of placing our
burdens into the care of Jesus?
• What is a burden you need to let go
of this week? How can you do that?
What this give you freedom to
experience or do?

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