object lesson: n. A lesson taught (especially to young children) using a familiar or unusual object as a focus. An example from real life that explains a principle or teaches a lesson.

When I was a little girl, I always loved Sunday School when an object lesson was part of the morning class. The use of an egg, for example, to explain the Trinity, intrigued me. I cannot relate now how the three parts of an egg–the shell, white, and yolk–related to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But for a very busy little girl, it caught my attention . . . which was the point, I’m sure.

Christ used a similar method during His ministry, that of parables. (It takes all kinds of teaching methods for us humans to “get the point.”) He used the lowly mustard seed to explain faith. His story of the prodigal son explained our Father’s never changing love and forgiveness. And, amongst many of His other stories–the one about different types of soil to describe how people respond differently to truth.

When it comes to my learning capabilities, God knows that, for me–the simpler, the better. That’s probably why He continues using object lessons in my life to drive home a principle or truth.